POLISH OFF SPRING OUTFITS
One of the easiest ways to tease spring is with a change of nail polish
One of the easiest ways to tease spring is with a change of nail polish.
Dark, moody shades seem fitting during a long, cold winter, but what's appealing with warmer weather— or at least the anticipation of it— is a lighter or brighter touch.
This spring, a range of rainbow colors, pastels, shimmers and neutrals coexist, each vying for attention and offering a much-needed boost to winter-weary spirits.
Samantha Hanby, owner of three Polished Nail Salons across the metro, said clients are already asking for neutrals and different shades of white from sheer to shimmery. Lavender and sage with a gray tinge look inviting too, as well as an ombre nail look. Instead of stark, it's faint and elegant, and a hit with all ages.
“I call it the new French,” she said.
Different finish
While a color completely different from the norm can be fun, it's easy to get a new feel simply by reaching for a favorite color in a different finish. Instead of orange, opt for a frosted coral. Living Coral is Pantone's color of the year. Sheer pink or one with a sheen might be a nice change from mauve. It's also a good time to rethink neutrals. Gray is a winner, hands down.
Essie celebrity manicurist Michelle Saunders told Byrdie, an online site devoted to beauty, that spring is an exciting time for nail space.
“Of course, we always go to pastels for spring, but this year our pastels have flair. Because we saw a strong resurgence of shimmers and metallics last season, it's clear to me that they will continue into the warmer months. Think icing (glossy and sheer) not cake (opaque and dense),” she said.
Fun surprises
Two popular polish brands feature a welcome line-up of new hues that not only are fresh looking but at the same time a little surprising.
Essie's limited-edition spring collection is inspired by a garden tea party with six shades that range from Pinkies Out, a pearly apricot coral, to Tiers of Joy, a frosted periwinkle hue with lilac iridescence. There's also Teacup
Half Full, a chestnut brown with golden iridescence, A Touch of Sugar, a sheer pink, and Reign Check, a metallic dark teal. Rounding out the collection is Stirring Secrets, a light nude beige cream with hints of rose. That's the color Lada Gaga wore to the recent Academy Awards. It was a winner for her.
OPI's Tokyo collection includes 12 shades ranging from pale to playful to electric pinks along with can't-miss lime green, moss green, orange, navy and burgundy. Names are inspired by the Japanese capital and its culture, such as Kanpai OPI, a gray periwinkle blue; Tempura-ture is Rising!, electric orange; Rice Rice Baby, mauve; and How Does Your Zen Garden Grow?, lime green.
Bright canary yellow, a favorite in fashion this season, also pops on nails. Models' cheery, sunshine nails couldn't be missed during the spring 2019 fashion shows in New York. Glitter nails, often just a top coat
over another color, can add a fun touch to neutral nails. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the abundance of metallics which usually are more of a fall or winter trend. On the other hand, a sophisticated, sexy metallic looks right any time of the year.
And let's not forget nail art. If the runways are any indication, it will be just as popular as ever. Bold nail graphics were at times as eye-catching as the clothing. If you can dream up a design, chances are there's a nail tech who can execute it. But Hanby said most women off the runway prefer a less dramatic, more simple approach to nail art. Simple and elegant, she said.