Nails are about as essential as both hair and makeup when it comes to glamourizing. Whether you have acrylics, gels, or your natural nails, it’s always important to keep them manicured. With the change of season, you may want to try something out other than classic French. Fall is the perfect opportunity to play up the deep neutrals, jewel tones, and crazy designs. Here, we’ll give the best tips on how to keep your nails in tip-top shape.
The newest trend in nails is texture. Whether it be glitter, fuzzy polish, or appliques, you can never go wrong with these unique styles. Using nail polish that has added texture gives your nails a three-dimensional look instead of the classic, glossy color that is typically seen.
If you want to try a twist on a French tip, try replacing the white nail polish with glitter in silver or gold. This creates a new textured look that is still classic and simple.
For an opposite effect of the French, try painting the base of your nail black and tip nude. These are neutral colors that are perfect for the season.
Senior marketing major Ariel Shilling said, “I decided to change up the usual French manicure by adding a stripe of silver glitter on the tip. Although it wasn’t a drastic change, it made my nails look fresher and more exciting.”
Metallic polish is another textured option that is simple enough to do, but has a three-dimensional effect. Use a deep steel color or try gold for a more opulent look. You can get a different effect with crackled polish, which is made by many companies such as Sally Hansen and OPI.
Nail appliques come in tons of different textures and patterns which can be purchased at any convenience or drug store. They work like stickers, so they’re easy to put on at home. Plus, they don’t chip as quickly as regular polish which is an added bonus.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the hottest polish colors this season are black and oxblood. Unlike the typical cherry red, oxblood is a deeper hue. Black is a timeless, neutral color that will match with any outfit.
To play up plain colors, try mixing matte polishes with shiny lacquer for contrast. You can use the matte as a base and the shine as the tip to get a monotone French look. To mix it up, try a deep purple or navy blue, jewel tones that are perfect for fall and playful.
If you’re feeling adventurous, buy a nail pen at any CVS or Walgreens. They’re nail polish with a skinny brush, so you can use them to make intricate designs or simple stripes.
If you visit a nail salon to get your manicure, ask for a specific design because they will probably be able to replicate it. With the nail art craze that is going on right now, there are tons of nail Instagram and Pinterest pages that you can get inspiration from.
Ombre nails are popular and can be done simply with an airbrush at the salon. Try fading nude or light pink to white for a classic look or choose any dark and light version of your favorite color. Geometric shapes and animal prints are also trending, and they allow you to mix many different colors in one intricate design.
Tara Esposito, senior graphic design major said, “I love to do my own nails based on pictures I see on Pinterest. Being an art major, I think it’s really cool that I can create art on something like a fingernail.”
Decorating your nails doesn’t stop at nail polish alone. Nail jewels, pearls, studs and even bows are on the market currently. You can order them online at websites like Etsy and Amazon.
Your nail salon will most likely also have these fun add-ons that can be applied with nail glue and sealed with gel. These add a three-dimensional effect while giving aesthetic to plain nail polish. Use them along with a pattern like Aztec or lace for a funky look, or keep it simple with nudes and blacks.
With fall brings brand new nail trends, colors, and designs. You can never go wrong with a classic French tip or neutral colors, but there are tons of other options if you want to be more creative with your manicure. Use your imagination and all the products that are on the market to create a unique nail design that’s sure to impress.
PHOTO TAKEN by Brianna McCabe
