It's high time to cast off the muted, dark, and rich nail varnish shades of winter in favour of something, well, a bit more summery.
Unless, of course, you'd rather not. While pretty much any hue will do as long as it's really, really bright for SS11, there's also a place for edgy, metallic, or nude colours as femme fatale and '70s were referenced strongly on the runways, and all three choices also work well with the so-hot-right-now-cheers-Black-Swan ballet chic.
As ever, though, there are a few micro-trends to note if you dread being anything less than of the moment!
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
The hottest new nail shape is, apparently, long and oval and retro, in homage to the '50s, '60s and '70s.
So now you know.
Personally, I think this business of a nail shape being declared in or out is as ridiculous as all that 'body shape of the season' silliness. I'll be keeping mine short and squared off because that's what suits my hands and lifestyle, ta.
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CO-ORDINATION NATION
I know several people who'll be rolling their eyes in despair at the resurgence of this, but matchy-matchy lips and nails is staying on the beauty radar for the foreseeable future. Blame Mad Men, blame the Revlon Fire and Ice re-release - oh, and blame Gucci while you're at it.
The fashion house featured matching orangey-red lips 'n' tips in their shows and ad campaigns for SS11.
Light shades in frosted or slightly shimmery finishes with their '80s connotations are obvious no-nos, and steer clear of anything with a mushroom, taupe or any other brownish undertone to avoid being mistaken for a time-traveller from the '90s.
Instead, pair a bright, opaque nail varnish with a bold matching bright lip to keep the look current. I'll be working hot pink, you'll be shocked to hear, and you can take a lookie here for lots of other pairing ideas.
FABLISS FLUORO
Despite a blip with a Barry M 'neon' recently, I have much love for fluoro nails so I'm delighted to see them popping up again this summer. Try juicy orange, as seen at Dior and Roksanda Illincic, or lemony-limey green. Either clash or co-ordinate with what you're wearing for maximum effect: think fluoro orange on your nails with a purple coat or neon green with a Kelly green dress.
EMBELLISHMENT
Lots of beauty editors are declaring themselves so over nail art, but actually it looks like fashion's love affair with it is continuing apace if the SS11 shows were anything to go by. Nails were rhinestone encrusted at Topshop Unique, two-tone at Vena Cava and Zac Posen, covered in delicate butterflies at Loewe, glitter-tastic at House of Holland ...
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Just as well nail art's sticking around for a while, really. What the hell else would I do while watching telly of an evening?
Pic credits: style.com
