Britain’s got talons
We’ve got the new mani trends nailed. Follow our guide to the latest looks
The reverse French manicure
White half-moons and painted nails - you don't get more retro than this! "This style was fashionable in the '30s, but it faded away in favour of the traditional French manicure," explains Sally Hansen nail expert Jessica Hoffman, whose star clients include Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow. "Dita Von Teese wore it recently and now it's back with a bang."
For a 2010 twist, choose a hip party purple instead of a natural pink, and leave the half moon bare for an ultra-chic look (as on our model, above).
Prep: File your longer nails down to match the shorter ones - use a file that isn't too abrasive and only file in one direction. Try Ms Manicure Pro-Filer Salon Emery Board, £1.69.
Step 2: When your polish is touch-dry, carefully peel off the manicure guides. Finish with a glossy top coat, painting over the whole nail. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, £8.95, is a winner.
Talon tip! To get the right amount of polish on your nail brush, Jessica says: "Swipe the back of the nail brush stick then the front of the bristles as you pull it from its pot to get rid of the excess."
"Lily Allen loves this look, and nothing screams party time quite like glitter!" says Jessica. "Sprinkling glitter over a wet polish gives the ultimate 'wow' factor," she adds. Hobbycraft sells an amazing array of glitter from £2.49.
Prep: Long cuticles are a no-no as you need plenty of nail on show to sparkle to the max. Squeeze new Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover, £5.95, around your cuticles, leave for two minutes, then ease back the cuticles with the built-in pusher tip.
Step 1: This look works with any colour as long as it pops! Here at Fabulous we reckon nothing livens up a LBD like hot fuchsia - our top pinks are Zoya Professional Lacquer in Layla, £10, and Miss Sporty Lasting Colour Nail Polish in Turbo, £1.99 (above).
Step 2: Once your pink polish has dried, apply a clear top coat. Now load the glitter onto a brush and gently tap it over your nails. Let it settle then apply a coat of clear polish to finish.
Talon tip! Glitter gone everywhere? Don't waste it - rub a little hand cream into your hands and sprinkle with the glitter for sparkly party paws!
Metallic and goth are two massive trends this season. "The Twilight phenomenon has made black the colour to wear," says Jessica, who recommends that for a vampy edge add hot metal to your nails. Here's how...
Prep: Slick on a coat of Sally Hansen Miracle Cure, £8.95, to seal your nails. Next, cut up some kitchen foil into tiny pieces ready to stick on - the more random the shapes, the better.
Step 1: Apply two coats of glossy black polish. We love Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Black Cab, £2.99, and Pop Nail Glam in Black, £6 (below).
Step 2: Pour clear nail polish into a saucer and scatter the foil pieces into it. While the black polish on your nails is still tacky, use the clear nail polish brush to pick up the foil and lightly brush the pieces onto your nails. The clear polish locks the look into place.
Talon tip! Foil too fiddly? Try Rococo Nail Apparel Gold Leaf Lacquer, £22.50, for a gorgeous glimmer.
"This season's must-have shade of red has to be cherry," says Jessica. "It's a lighter hue than classic red but has a hint of depth perfect for this time of year." Plus it's all over the catwalks for next season and nothing makes us happier than being ahead of a trend!
Prep: Red is the worst colour for staining your nails, so start with a base coat that will protect them. Estée Lauder Pure Color Ridge Treatment Base Coat, £12, smooths out the nail surface to help polish glide on more effectively.
Step 1: Cover your nails with two coats of your favourite cherry red. We've, erm, cherry-picked the best and fallen in love with N.Y.C. Quick Dry Nail Polish in Madison Ave, £2.49, and Lancôme Le Vernis in 107 Rouge Panthère, £14 (right).
Step 2: Complete with a coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine, £5.95. Not only will it seal the colour into place, but it also provides an extra colour and gloss injection, making your shade last a few days longer.
Talon tip! Your perfect nail shape mirrors the curve of your nail bed (where the finger meets the nail). Curved beds look better with rounded tips and flat beds are best with squared tips.
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SALLY HANSEN MANICURE!
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID KING, PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK HAIR & MAKE-UP: AFTON AT S MANAGEMENT NAILS BY JESSICA HOFFMAN FOR SALLY HANSEN (SALLYHANSEN.CO.UK) MODEL: GABRIELE AT PREMIER
STOCKISTS: CHANEL (DEPARTMENT STORES NATIONWIDE), ESTÉE LAUDER (ESTEELAUDER.CO.UK), HOBBYCRAFT (HOBBYCRAFT.CO.UK), LANCÔME (LANCOME.CO.UK), MISS SPORTY: (MISS-SPORTY.CO.UK), MS MANICURE (BOOTS NATIONWIDE), N.Y.C. (020 8684 7000), POP (POPBEAUTY.CO.UK), RIMMEL (RIMMELLONDON.COM), ROCOCO (SPACENK.CO.UK), SALLY HANSEN (BOOTS, SUPERDRUG & SUPERMARKETS NATIONWIDE), SECHE (NAILSBYMAIL.CO.UK), ZOYA (ZOYAPOLISH.CO.UK)
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This article has 1 comment
wow! these nails look totally amazing! i have to agree, lilac, cherry red and softer colours just HAVE to overthrow the neons of last season!!! the half crescents ont he nails are really effective and look great!
By Sunny.. Posted March 16 2010 at 5:23 PM.