It’s easy to get stuck in a beauty rut. You might catch yourself using the same four polishes on rotation, or just letting your nails go natural. But with summer around the corner, you can use the time you’re not using to write a paper to try a new nail style! It’s time to switch up your beauty routine and try something different, maybe a little bolder, from chrome to DIY. Whether you’re lounging poolside or working hard at your dream internship, you’ll feel chic, up-to-date and festive when you try one of these summer nail trends.
Shellac Nails
Shellac nails are perfect for collegiettes™ who are looking to get more bang for their buck from their day at the salon. The half-polish, half-gel hybrid usually lasts up to 14 days without chipping or fading, happily stretching out your manicure a little bit longer. Unfortunately, it’s only available is certain colors for now, but it will likely expand as it gets more popular. It’s best for someone who goes to the nail salon every two weeks without fail because the nails can only be removed with 100% acetone. It’s a faster and easier process for your manicurist to perform. It’s also best for ladies who like to keep a shorter nail, as Shellac does not help with lengthening.
The best thing about Shellac nails is that the polish is cured under a UV light, so it only takes 2-3 minutes to be completely dry unlike regular nail polish that can take up to 2 hours before it’s fully settled. After applying each layer (the base coat, two layers of color and top coat) the nails are placed under the UV light to dry. As soon as you leave the salon you can text, put on a seatbelt and open a soda can. What could be better than that?
Price: $35
Minx
Minx is a flexible polymer (a kind of plastic) that is applied to nails after loosening up with a little heat. Minx adheres to the nail kind of like a sticker and is a greener alternative to regular polish and fake tips. No chemicals are used for application or removal; it just takes some heat to take them right off. With a little hot air from the blow dryer, you can delicately peel the polish off from the edges. It’s easy to apply and you can add cool designs, patterns or pictures that just wouldn’t be possible with polish. Want a picture of your boo? How about something to match your argyle socks? Totally doable! It’s pricier than a normal manicure, so it’s great if you want to have a little bit of flair at a particular event. It’s better if you plan to wear Minx with a natural nail, because it typically lifts off of fake tips after a few days.
Price: $40
Lace Decal
This fancy look is great for a night out on the town. Forget the dress and shoes, your nails will be the center of attention. It’s a great DIY project for those collegiettes™ who want to skip a trip to the salon. Go to your local fabric store, find a bit of colored lace (neon is very in this spring) and cut pieces that are a little bit bigger than the size of your nails. Apply a nail glue (like Kiss Brush On Nail Glue, $3.50), lay the lace on top of it and let it dry. Add another layer of glue on top to seal it perfectly in place. Any excess lace you can trim or file off. Your friends will be dying to know where you got your nails done. Imagine their shock when you say: “On the couch while watching American Idol.”
Price: $3.50 plus the cost of lace
Half Moon
The half-moon manicure is a classic 1940s look often worn by burlesque performer Dita Von Teese. The clean silhouette leaves the half-moon shape at the base of the nail bare, with a color contrast on the rest of the nail. The look was a hit at Thakoon’s Fall 2009 runway presentation. The best part of this look is that it’s easy to do at home with a little patience. It may require a steady hand and a few practice rounds to get it just right, but it’s an achievable look that brings an air of sophistication to whatever outfit you pair it with. A trick to getting it right is dipping a fine-haired paintbrush in acetone and tracing it along the bottom of the nail to create that perfect arc. A manicurist will charge a little more, just like any other nail design, but it might be worth it if you have a shaky hand.
Price: $20-$30 depending on how much your manicurist will charge
Shatter Polish
The Katy Perry for OPI polish “Shatter” ($8.50) has become so insanely popular that it barely stays on the shelves. Like glitter polish, all it takes is one layer over whatever nail polish cover you want and it crackles almost instantly. The important thing to keep in mind that it crackles pretty quickly, so to get it just right you have to paint quickly and seal it with a clear top coat to maximize shine, otherwise the polish can appear dull. Most nail salons carry this type of polish, so if you can’t find it in stores, (try Amazon!) you can still keep up with this incredibly chic trend!
Price: $8.50
Summer Colors from Essie and OPI
OPI’s latest collection mirrors the summer blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strange Tides.” The pastel shades are paired with catchy names like the aquamarine shade “Mermaid’s Tears” and the baby pink “Steady As She Rose.” Get down with the pirates, and score these rare treasures. Another big brand, Essie, travels all the way to South America for their collection. The “Brazilliant” shade of bright orange is perfect for laying on a beach in Rio, and “Smooth Sailing” is perfect for drinking caipirinhas with your girls. If you fall in love with any of the shades, remember to snap them up quick because these limited time collections will run out.
Price: $8.50 each for OPI, $8 for Essie
Whatever change you make to your beauty regimen, make it all your own. If you’re a bubbly girl try the half moon nails with a marigold yellow color, or if you’re planning on hitting all the hottest clubs this summer, keep the minx nails for the whole season! Sometimes it’s more fun to let your nails do the talking.
Sources:
http://skincare.about.com/od/
http://www.seventeen.com/