Summer has arrived and sandal weather is here, which means it’s time to polish up! From geometric patterns and striped designs to the perfect messy touch, it’s all about attention to detail when it comes to nails this season. Keep both fingernails and toenails up-to-date with these hot summer 2015 trends.
Bold Brights
Full of festivals, vacations and days spent out by the pool, summer is the perfect time to grab all the electric-hued polishes typically ignored during the rest of the year. This summer Harper’s Bazaar recommends a hot mandarin, bright fuchsia or classic apple red mani/pedi.
Make a statement with punchy neon nails reminiscent of iconic highlighter shades with China Glaze’s Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and Orly’s Popsicle. To guarantee bright nails that really stand out, paint a layer of white nail polish before the neon hue of choice for the most saturated color. Talk about looking on the bright side!
Petal Pastels
In search of colors a little subtler? Creamy pastels and classic nudes have also been having major moments both on and off the runway this summer. Be on the lookout for pretty pastel hues like milky lemon, pearlescent linen, sheer pink, pale lavender, creamy peach, and sage green.
Nude nail polish is being considered the manicure world’s next greatest hit after ballerina pink and fire engine red due to its versatility. True nude nails not only elongate fingers, but look great on manicures of all shapes and lengths as well. Use thin, even strokes and layer a high-gloss top coat over these more opaque formulas to keep them from looking chalky. Then pair these pastels with tougher wardrobe elements (i.e. an all-black outfit or studded accessories) to give any ensemble a more feminine twist.
Negative Space
InStyle has dubbed this next craze the cutout dress of the nail world. The negative space nail trend was translated from the well-known art technique onto model’s hands for Fashion Week, but the trend can easily be recreated at home. The look doesn’t require a base color and gives the illusion of polish floating against the naked nail bed. Half-moons, one of the most popular negative space styles, can be created using hole reinforcement stickers as stencils and a nail polish corrector pen to smooth any uneven spots, making the outlines of the crescents sharper.
Update a traditional French manicure by painting the nail tips in the same color polish as the half-moons for double the pretty. When trying these techniques, remember that patience is key. Nails are like tiny canvases and require a proper amount of time to dry for best results.
White Hot
Remember back in middle school, when everyone would leave class with chalky matte fingertips all thanks to Wite-Out? Well, the minimalist all-white manicure is one of this summer’s hottest nail trends. To graduate this look from preteen to grownup, choose a polish with a hint of ivory to soften the look. Some current obsessions are Essie Blanc, Butter London’s Pearly Queen, Deborah Lippmann’s Amazing Grace and Chanel’s Eastern Light.
Take the white mani to the next level by channeling Kate Spade’s spring/summer 2015 runway show. Using a striping brush, simply add a thin black stripe to opaque white nails, not forgetting the ever-important base and tops coats. The resulting look is as strong and graphic as it is natural and fresh. And the best part? This trend can transition smoothly into winter, meaning those crisp, solid white manicures can be kept on well after Labor Day.
Seeing Stripes
Stripes are everywhere this season, so why not translate the trend to nails? Whether horizontal or vertical, the striping combinations are endless and result in looks that are effortlessly chic.
Combine two styles in one by painting wispy, uneven stripes on top of a nude basecoat. But don’t kick that glitter habit just yet. Imitate Erin Fetherston at New York Fashion Week by painting metallic gold stripes on nude bases for the perfect minimalist Midas touch. Feeling ambitious? Use a striping brush with any shade of blue to create a stylish checkerboard-gingham to pair with your favorite summer denim pieces.
