Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Top KU Fall Nail Polish Trends

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at KU chapter.

Transitions are never easy, especially the period between the end of summer and the start
of fall. As Labor Day has crept upon us, we are saying goodbye to carefree summer beauty: wavy, sun-dried hair, minimal makeup and splashes of neon brights. Nail colors are one area we can start to dabble in while we’re still enjoying the hot days of an Indian summer and holding off on the darker make up trends.

In terms of key accessories, artfully manicured nails are becoming just as important as handbags, shoes and jewelry. The Fall 2012 Runways were no exception to this nail-art explosion. It’s time to say hello to sumptuous hues of red and navy, metallics, and cool tones of stark white and beige.

Don’t fret fellow collegiates, this boom in fierce fingertips doesn’t mean you need to invest all of your money in the nail salon or splurge on a professional manicurist kit. You can achieve these looks on your own. Whether you are seeking a simple chic appearance or wish to show off your creativity, these suggestions will make you stand out from the rest. Without further adieu, here are our favorite DIY nail trends straight from the runways…

Black nails with cream polka dots appeared at the Kate Spade show and the combination of the black with the cream gives your nails flirty flair and a fresh look. Bonus: the simplicity of the manicure makes it easy for you to recreate this style at home. The whimsical manicure would work for game days by substituting the black and cream for a more Jayhawk-friendly red and blue color combination.

Her Campus Kansas’ next must-try manicure is Chanel’s chic crescent moon, which is a modern twist on the classic French manicure. Get this dreamy look by painting nails a creamy pink followed by a contrasting metallic border. This dynamic duo of color and design make it easy to replicate the posh trend in your dorm room.

A nail trend that adds a futuristic spin on an otherwise conservative manicure: high shine metallic. Chrome fingertips made a statement on the Fall 2012 runways and we have to admit, we are obsessed. At the Alice +Olivia show, the models donned silver metallic nails along with black and gold glitter for a contrasting pop, while models from other shows opted to sport either gold or silver chrome tips, both of which are simple enough to try on your own.

If you prefer a more conservative manicure and still want to stay on trend, experiment with dark sumptuous lacquers, such as navy or deep burgundy.

Which one of these nail trends will you be sporting this fall? What are your favorite autumn nail colors? Her Campus Kansas would love to know your thoughts. Please comment below! 

Maggie is a rising senior at the University of Kansas majoring in journalism. She has interned at Parents magazine and Glamour magazine and hopes to land an editing position someday. Maggie founded a health and fitness website called Get Fit Get Life and she is a personal trainer. She doesn't go a day without an iced coffee with a splash of almond milk!