Patterns, pops of color and detailed images are at your fingertips, literally. Nail art is a rampaging makeup trend that won the hearts and hands of celebrities and students alike. Flipping through magazines and surfing the blogosphere provides ample amounts of nail trends to try. Compiled here are the major themes and tricks on how to execute them with success!
Pattern Palooza
A stripe here and some polka dots there will add certain pizzazz to mundane nails. Select a base coat then choose complementary colors to apply your pattern of choice.
“My favorite color combination is black, silver and then white. I love doing any really bright color than any detail with those three together,” states UMD sophomore physiology and neurobiology major Julia Bonanno. “They complement each other really well and it looks kind of fancy.”
Animal prints are more challenging, but beyond exciting. Practice makes perfect when it comes to mastering the wild patterns of the animal kingdom. The benefit of choosing a pattern or print is that there is no set model; each one can be its own, unique creation.
If perfection is the goal, try Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in “Kitty, Kitty.”
Color-blocking Creations
Take a cue from the runways and color-block fingernails. Neon colors paired with dark neutrals or a combination of tropical brights look just as good on nails as they do on stream-lined frocks.
Use the steps “Cupcakes and Cashmere” blogger, Emily Schuman, provides for a perfect manicure, but select one or two nails to be a different hue. Popular appendages to make stand out are the thumb and ring fingers.
Exercise the ultimate level of creativity by combining patterns with color-blocking, as Lauren Conrad does in a Fourth of July tribute manicure posted on “The Beauty Department” blog, here.
Holiday Must-Haves
“I love the idea of holiday-themed nails,” remarks UMD sophomore linguistics major Meaghan Kell. “It just gets everyone in the spirit and they’re really light-hearted and cute.”
Snowflakes in the winter, pumpkins for All Hallows Eve and the iconic four-leaf clover for St. Patty’s Day. The holiday-themed options seem limitless.
“For Halloween I did candy corn nails. It was really simple; I just did the base coat of orange and kept layering the different colors,” Kell explains. “I did Easter eggs on my nails once. I had a base coat and the oval egg and then I tried to do designs like stripes and tie-dye- kinds you would do on Easter eggs. It was difficult.”
Picture Perfect
For the advanced and adventurous self-manicurist there is the challenge of completing an actual painting. Mini works of art are possible, but extremely time consuming. They require patience and an attention to detail.
Bonanno remembers the challenge of turning a friend’s nails into the Maryland state flag! “With a flower, if you mess it up it’s a flower so you don’t really know what it is supposed to look exactly like, but with the Maryland flag it has to be this otherwise it’s not the flag. It was stressful, but it looked really cool!”
Regardless of skill level, there is a technique for everyone to sample. A coat of paint and some creativity can spice up an outfit, or simply provide relaxation. Whatever your motivation, get to painting!