What’s new and what’s nowhere for hands and feet this spring.
According to Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Design in Vista, California, spring is all about classic, feminine style. Meticulously groomed nails are short and sexy, then lightly buffed for a natural shine; or are accessorized with sweet-enough-to-eat, pastel polishes. If you’re still sporting last season’s denim blue talons, shelve them in favour of Arnold’s seasonal hip list. Continue reading »
Oval-shaped talons sporting gleaming automotive-inspired polish, are the first gear driving nails into fall.
General Motors-inspired nail polish shades, reminiscent of classic 1940′s and ’50s automobile finishes, give nails a retro edge this fall.
“Wines, spicy pinks, and metallics-evocative of the chrome and steel of classic cars-are big this fall,” says Suzi Wiess-Fischmann, vice-president and artistic director of OPI Products in North Hollywood, California. “The color brown, from pale sand to dark expresso shades, is also a fashion must.”
In second gear, making their autumn debut, are dramatic gothic shades, including: gold-tinged platinum browns, cranberry, eggplant, midnight blue and olive green.
“Nails this season exude a dark, futuristic, sensuous glamor,” announces Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Design in Vista, California. “Colors are luscious and embody the whole luxury of the ’80s in a dark, witchy way.”
The more intense the color, the better, Arnold says, so apply up to three coats of polish to get the richest possible results.
The return to classic, long oval shapes showcase the polishes to perfection, according to Kim Tanner of The Professional Nail Manufacturers in Mississauga, Ontario.
“The trend is towards very long to mid-length oval nails,” Tanner explains. “If you’re not comfortable sporting this longer length, a shorter squoval length is classic.”
Nail an impression with lacy, airbrushed nails.
“With the return of the classic, crisp white shirt this season, the polish trend has moved from brilliant colours back to soft neutrals,” explains Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Design, based in Vista, California. “French manicures are also hot again, but this season, we put a fresh spin on an old favourite with Lacquered Lace.”
According to Arnold, this “deconstructed nail art” is a cinch to create. The technique is based on the stenciling concept, but designs are created using swatches of lace or fishnet fabric, instead of using pre-cut masks or frisket paper. Continue reading »
Soften, smooth and soothe hands by indulging in luxurious spa manicure.
“A spa manicure is a treatment beyond a regular manicure,” explains Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Design. “The service offers deep exfoliation and a facial-quality moisturizing of the hands.”
Arnold says during a traditional service, the focus is on cleaning the nails-tidying the cuticles, then filing and polishing the nails. With a spa manicure, nails are filed, buffed, then soaked in an aromatic cleansing solution. Next, hands are thoroughly exfoliated from the wrist down, followed by a gentle massage up to the elbows. The cuticles are tidied, then your nails are ready for polishing. Continue reading »
Nails this spring are delicate and decidedly feminine.
The freshest tips are short, sexy and meticulously groomed, then left lightly buffed for a natural shine, or painted with sweet-enough-to-eat pastel polishes.
“In fashion, we’re seeing a lot of multi-layering, which creates a new, diaphanous look,” explains Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Design in Vista, California. “Fabric colours are light with a touch of iridescence. Softly shaped nails, with delicate yet lighthearted colours, are the perfect accessory.”
Shimmering pink, lilac, dusty rose and white make this season’s list of essential shades. Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice-president and artistic director for OPI Products in North Hollywood, California, says while dark nails are dramatic, this spring it’s time to lighten up. Continue reading »
The season’s shades flirt with variations of rocks and reds.
“For fall we’re seeing a melange of 
with tarnished metals and burnt berries predominating,” reveals Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nails Design based in Vista, California. “Shades are bursting with saturated colour.”
Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice-president and artistic director of OPI Products in North Hollywood, California, says fall’s new vivid shades look perfect paired with the season’s new fashion neutral-grey.
“Reds, sumptuous purples and warm burgundies all look great with grey,” Weiss-Fischmann enthuses. “These shades also emulate the multitude of shades found in the turning leaves of fall.” Continue reading »
This fall, nails mirror fashion’s current zest for sumptuous fabrics and jewel-toned colors.
“The emphasis is on luxury this fall, in both fabric and color,” says Miriam Clifford, president of Orly International in Chatsworth, California. “Nail colors are sophisticated, classic and cosmopolitan, offering the perfect complement to this season’s fabricsÑfrom velvet and suede, to silk and lace.”
Nails reflect the popular plum and cranberry tones seen on international fall fashion runways, says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, artistic director for OPI Products in North Hollywood, California.
“Color continues to be big for nails this season,” Weiss-Fischmann explains. “Women of the Õ90s love to experiment and accessorize their fashions with bold nail color.”
Sandra Siepak, public relations director for Star Nail in Valencia, California, believes nails are ready to return to more opulent colors after spring’s pale pastels. Continue reading »
This spring nails burst forth with color, from candy-colored pastels to slick, icy metallics.
If the future holds a lot of promise, the 21st century sure has plenty to deliver on. With its cyberspace advancements and ground-breaking technology, the new millennium promises us a bright and beautiful future. But don’t think style and design sensibilities will be residing in the past. Futuristic fabrics and space age influences have been cropping up the last few seasons and will continue to do so.
Beauty has unmistakably reflected our transition to a new millennium. From color to texture, the expression of our personal style will be influenced by emerging trends. Consider nail design. Gone are the days of baby pink tips and conservative colors. Sleek cyber shades, texture, and unexpected designs have increasingly turned up on our nails.
Flashy is becoming more mainstream. Fashion powerhouse Gucci debuted ads this season showcasing a hand with long black nails, silver hoops pierced through the pinky. Black, glittery nails were also shown on the runways of Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen. Continue reading »
Great nails complete the picture of well-groomed good looks. But for some women, getting them poses a real challenge. “Regular care is essential if you want your nails to look beautiful,” says Jan Arnold, president of Creative Nail Concepts. “This can mean a weekly visit to a professional manicurist or time at home to clean and nourish your nails,” she adds.
But if you’re short on time and forced to pass up regular visits to the manicurist, you are probably not making time at home to take care of your hands, either. To help you get started on your way to healthy, beautiful nails, here are some home basics to keep in mind.
The Essentials
A large part of taking care of your nails properly is having the right products and tools at your fingertips, literally. Here’s what Arnold suggests to help you build your arsenal of healthy-nail products: Continue reading »
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