NY Fashion Week Nail Watch – Tracy Reese
For Fall 2008, designer Tracy Reese was inspired by nature and weather. To bring that power, the forces of nature, to her models she pulled together an expert beauty team including the team at Sally Hansen, makeup artist Mally Roncal and hair stylist Edris Nicholls.
In her fifth collaboration with the Sally Hansen Salon Line, Reese created a collection of ten lacquers to be released next fall. The hot pink shimmer, Torrid Bloom, was used to create the “Veiled Nail” effect on the models’ nails. The Veiled Nail is a technique designed by Tracy where the lacquer is stretched from the base of the nail to the tip going from opaque to sheer. Think of it as watercolor for nails.
The look is achieved by applying a base of Age Correct Growth Treatment, a milky pink, then painting half the nail with Torrid Bloom and using Age Correct to stretch it out to the tip.
Bill Boraczek, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sally Hansen, explains the Veiled Nail. Included are clips of the nail artists executing the technique.
When Tracy described her weather concept to Mally Roncal, she imagined a “stormy” eye, not smokey. The difference being many different layers for a multi-dimensional look. Just as weather has many layers (wind, rain, thunder) she wanted to reflect that in the makeup. Mally achieved the look with layers of plum and black shimmers on the eye. She created a windburn effect with berry stain along cheekbone and above the brow and hot pink shimmer on the apples. She used the same berry stain on lip so it wasn’t a nude lip but also not all about the lips. The overall effect being strong, powerful and not for the makeup shy.
I attempted my own version of the Veiled Nail using Zoya Sari, a sheer pink, and Zoya Trinity as the hot pink wash of color. What do you think of the look? Is this something you’d try at home?
images: All Lacquered Up and Elle.com
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
That looks cool, something different. I can totally see it for pinks, and maybe greens, and light blues. Can’t wait to try it!
I don’t think it’s for me, unless I could somehow layer it so that the total effect was opaque, just because of the way my nailbeds look. I think that your effort is more attractive than the picture of the model’s application.
I like your version better than the version on the models – there, it disappears so much at the top that it looks to me as if it’s really badly chipped.
I still don’t think it’s for me, but your version is pretty.
I like your version better, but the one on the models looks like they got exhausted removing old nail polish and just gave up midway.
Sorry but no. Their version looks like a two week old mani, very messy and unclean. Points for originality but a deduction for execution. Your version is a much better execution, and on toes, I think it would be really cool with some small flower decals (with the pink polish) for spring. now THAT would be cute.
I agree with the previous posters – yours looks much neater and not worn at all (although I suppose weathered is what the designer was going for). It’s a cool look (yours), but I would have to have a professional do it – I’m just not that steady-handed!
I’m with Jenny. Your example is better than the models nails. I don’t think it’s for me either.
Uh….No! Mani’s are to look clean and neat. That is far from looking clean and neat! Ugh!!!!
M, that would be “No!” I don’t like chips and nicks. I deplore dirty looking nails. I hope this does not become a trend.
But, I like your example, although I think it would be hard for me to execute.
Hugs!
I’m with most of the people here, as soon as I saw it I thought… “Her nails need to be touched up.”
I’d rather serious 1990′s nail art come back in fashion.
I like your version better – the version on the model’s nails looks really old and dirty to me, EW! This is not something I’d try at home, I would probably get frustrated trying to make it work right.
Your swatch looks much better..the ones on the models’ nails look awful IMHO like a messed up mani (especially from a distance)
I’m all about funky nail polish, but this just looks sloppy on the model. Your version looks much better, but it looks like the model had her nails done by Stevie Wonder after too much coffee.
its nice like for fashion spreads and such, but i wouldnt do it for real life.looks kinda ugly and messy for real life
Yeah… I’ve got to say the original just looks chipped and half done. Not a fan.
I’m in the minority here, but I like it. Although, I’m usually pretty creative and “different” with my nails anyhow. I never get manis out, since I do my own. It’s rare that my nails aren’t painted with sports team logos, tie dye, camo, etc. So this is something I will certainly try. Thanks for posting. I came here looking for an idea for my nails tomorrow (going to a hockey game) and I think i’ve found it!
Cheers,
Jami
Bionic Beauty
Darn, I forgot to say how much I love that “stormy” eye!! And the cheek/lip stains are gorgeous as well.
Your version looks lovely, neat and attractive. The original looks…mildly fungal.
Pretty model, hideous nails. Second to “she got tired and didn’t bother to take it all off.”
That is one of the two things that grosses me out with nailpolish – #1 is chipping left to chipp off forever (hello, that does not look good) and #2 is what I think of as the “grandma effect” – polish left to wear off forever.
People, perfect or nothing!
IMO Your version is ten million times better, it’s more refined and less…”chippy” looking..or like a 2 year old did it, and then tried to wipe it off.
I’ve only just discovered your blog and love it! Especially pictures of you actually trying the various polish colors. Your photos have been a big help in finding colors I like.
I would have to agree with many of the others. The models nails are messy and it looks like she couldn’t get all her polish off. Your version is much better looking.
I just want to say that I love the song in the video!
I agree with Jenny. You did a much more interesting and better looking version. I didn’t like the badly chipped-look either. It worked when I was 13 and a little punk-rocker. Today it just makes me feel trashy.
Your version is def. better! This may sound crazy, but I think that it would look great on my toes for warmer weather!