All hail the nails
KATIE WRIGHT has four easy ways to tap into the season’s magical manicures
AFTER season upon season of nude and neutral polishes ruling the runways, nail art is well and truly back on the beauty map for AW17.
Backstage at the autumn/ winter shows, nail technicians got creative with colour, played around with patterns, and even – at Marc Jacobs and Balenciaga – painted tiny logos onto models’ nails (yep, the Nineties effect is still in full force).
But you don’t have to be a master manicurist to copy these looks. We’ve got four easy-peasy – but very pretty – ways to nail this talon trend...
1 MARC JACOBS’ HALF AND HALF NAILS
WHILE some models had little MJ monogram manis, others were given a beautiful combination of deep burgundy and dark gold split on the diagonal to complement the Seventies-inspired collection.
Recreate the look by starting with a coat of Nailberry Dial M for Maroon and then, after letting it dry, using a small strip of masking tape to create a diagonal section and painting Ciate Goal Digger over the top. Nailberry Dial M for Maroon, £14.50 (nailberry. co.uk); Ciate Goal Digger, £9 (ciatelondon.com).
2 SOPHIA WEBSTER’S FROSTED FRENCH MANI
‘FROSTED tips’ doesn’t just mean the terrible Nineties hair trend – it’s also the Sophia Webster AW17 sparkly nail look, inspired by the show’s ice queen theme, and it’s rather enchanting.
Lead nail technician Rebecca Jade Wilson created the look by starting with a base of Orly RoseColoured Glasses and adding loose glitter on the nail tips. Barry M’s new Whimsical Dreams glitter polish, launching this month, is perfect for recreating the
effect. Orly RoseColoured Glasses, £9.95 (Nail Polish Direct); Barry M Classic Glitter Nail Paint in Whimsical Dreams, £3.99 (Superdrug, available September 20).
3 MULBERRY’S MIRROR MANI
THE simplest way to jump on the nail art bandwagon? Make like the models on the Mulberry catwalk with a chic metallic finish. Right on cue, Soigne has just released its long-awaited Le Miroir, just about the shiniest polish we’ve ever seen. It’s limited edition, so snap one up while you can. Soigne Le Miroir, £23 (soignenails.com)
4 HOUSE OF HOLLAND’S PICNIC WRAPS
BY FAR the most intricate nail art of the season was seen at House of Holland, where tiny rectangular rhinestones were glued side by side on false nails, to create a 3D gingham effect to fit with the Dolly Parton meets Las Vegas-themed show.
You don’t have to go to all that effort however, because as part of the brand’s continued collaboration with Elegant Touch, House of Holland has created ready-made press-ons in adorable red and blue gingham.
Elegant Touch House of Holland Picnic Pincers, £7.50 (eleganttouch.com)