Just because you opt for a non-color, neutral nail polish, doesn’t mean your manicure will be boring. The nail polish trends on the fall runways are proof that muted colors can, indeed, make a statement. From negative space nail art to fun techniques like marbling, there are small tricks and finishes that you can use to make your nails stand out in a chic, understated way. So go on, pick a color in a conservative hue and watch how many people will comment on your nails.
Nail Trend: Barely There
Diane von Furstenberg's models wore Essie's Mademoiselle (a ballerina pink) on their nails to replicate a classic buff shine look. Photo: Courtesy of Essie
Nail Trend: Tonal Geometric Lines
For Lela Rose's fall runway show Butter London used one coat of Alabaster Glaze (a pearly metallic, coming out in April) painted in a diagonal, followed by two coats of the same color for the top half of each nail. Photo: Courtesy of Butter London
Nail Trend: Bright White
Manicurist extrordinaire Jin Soon Choi used Kookie White (an off-white, coming out in late-summer) to compliment the grey color palette at Karen Walker's show. Photo: Courtesy of JINsoon
Nail Trend: Hint Of Color
To go along with BCBG's warm muted pastels, OPI did manicures in Passion (a sheer pink) to give a subtle glaze of pink. Photo: Courtesy of OPI
Nail Trend: Gold Half Moons And Tips
Since Tadashi Shoji's runway show was filled with rich colors, Butter London did manicures with one coat of Nail Foundation, followed by Marbs (an opaque gold) to create the half moons and the gold tips. Photo: Courtesy of Butter London
Nail Trend: Marbling
The Creatures of the Wind runway was filled with psychedelic patterns, which inspired Katie Jane Hughes of Butter London to use a water marbling technique. Trollip (a peachy hue) and Teddy Girl (a bubblegum pink) were used as a base color under the swirling metallics. Photo: Courtesy of Butter London
Nail Trend: Opaque Nude
For Alexander Wang's fall show, Michelle Saunders for Essie created a chalky, soft beige using two colors, one coat of Mademoiselle (a natural pink) and one coat of Sand Tropez (a latte color). Photo: Courtesy of Essie
Nail Trend: Negative Space
Since Opening Ceremony's fall collection included several asymmetrical pieces, Naomi Yusuda for Essie designed negative space nail art using Master Plan to compliment the looks. Be sure to use a different nail-to-polish ratio on each finger. Photo: Courtesy of Essie
