Manicures used to be so predictable, didn’t they? You picked your polish (most likely red), got your nails filed (square shaped, duh) and received a pretty decent hand massage before heading home with nails painted all one color. The craziest thing you probably ever considered was to get acrylic tips and a French manicure right before prom.
Now though? Well, thanks to Hollywood “It” girls like Lauren Conrad, Vanessa Hudgens, and Katy Perry, it’s all about funky nail art, bold designs, and a whole lot of color. So next time you’re at the salon and want to be a fly gal, just whip out some pics and ask your technician for one of these:
1. SHATTER NAIL POLISH
image: beauty.glam.com
Shatter is the new black in Tinseltown, apparently. Recently spotted on the nails of Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale (above) at a Nylon party, this polish acts as a top coat, splitting while it dries to bare the base shade underneath. To get the look, try OPI’s Black Shatter nail polish from the Katy Perry Collection paired with NL P18 Mermaid Tears.
2. MINX NAILS
image: stylelist.com
WARNING: For the adventurous only! First made famous by stars like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Katy Perry, Minx utilizes heat and pressure to adhere to your nails and must be applied by a licensed professional. Want to test out this trend without breaking the bank? Try Sephora by OPI Chic Prints For Nails (AKA nail stickers), available online for just $15. (The average minx mani will set you back about $55.)
3. THE ACCENT NAIL
image: stylecaster.com
As all good beauty trends do, the accent nail first rose to attention at New York Fashion Week, before quickly trickling its way down to the stylish list of celebs who rock the look now. To mimic Vanessa Hudgens’ hip mani, play up your party nail with Some Enchanted Evening by Deborah Lippmann and snag a bottle of Nicole by OPI in Baby Blue for the rest of your fingers. Not feeling so frisky? Opt for classic color combos such as black and white that complement each other quite nicely.
4. OMBRE NAILS
image: socialitelife.com
First the hair and now this? Wow. Before we know it, the ombre trend will be taking over LC’s entire summer beauty routine. Okay, hopefully not—but we are digging the color fade effect she’s sporting here. To DIY, just pick five colors from the American Apparel Blues and Greens Nail Polish 7-Pack. Then starting with your pinky finger, paint each nail a different shade, gradually fading from light to dark.
5. BOLD DESIGNS
image: style.mtv.com
Okay, so Usher isn’t exactly the inspiration behind this flashy trend, but that bright striped Jil Sander sweater he’s rocking definitely is. Unless you’re an artist with a steady hand and a whole lot of patience, we wouldn’t recommend trying a design as intricate as the one shown above at home. Grab a few shades from Forever 21’s Summer Brights Collection to create a bold pattern that’s all your own.
