Trends
Let’s Talk Trends – Fall 2007
Fall has officially started people. So why am I roasting and wanting to turn on my A/C? It just doesn’t seem right that I packed away my capris and t-shirts while the thermometer reads 73 degrees. Regardless, I am thrilled to pull out my fall polish shades and get a little vampy. Now that I’ve tested and reviewed the majority of the fall collections (fall not holiday), I’m going to break down what I see as the big trends for fall and give my top polish picks for each one.
All of the lacquers I will show you are currently available for purchase. Either as part of a fall or classic collection. When possible, I’ve included links to my past posts with swatches.
Like I said last summer during my interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I’m seeing three big trends emerge as we head towards cooler weather; Red, Jewel Tones and Gunmetal Gray.
Red isn’t exactly a groundbreaking color. It will always be popular and the shade women turn to for instant glamour. Red makes you feel sexy, bold and classy. This season mid-tone true red cremes are at the forefront. Already seen on the tips of some Hollywood’s most stalked after starlets, glossy red nails aren’t just for evening. It’s a shade you can wear day or night.
(l-to-r) Zoya Andi, China Glaze Masai Red, China Glaze China Rouge, OPI Vodka & Caviar, OPI Quarter of A Cent-Cherry, Creative House of Rebels
Of all the jewel tones (navy, emerald, plum, ruby) navy seems to be the prominent shade this fall. It’s one of the those colors that suits most skin tones. For me personally, blue comes in a close second to green as my favorite nail color to wear so, seeing navy become so popular tickles me.
Maybelline Acoustic Azure, OPI Russian Navy, China Glaze Up All Night, N.Y.C. Skin Tight Denim, Zoya Indigo, NYX Sapphire
The fun thing about purple/plum is that, like navy, there is a shade for most skin tones, depending on which way it leans on the color chart. The warm red based plums and cool toned purples below were originally my prediction for the big color for fall but I don’t think it will hit like navy. It’s still a gorgeous tone to wear.
Zoya Lael, Orly Plum Noir, Creative Rock Royalty, OPI Lincoln Park At Midnight, China Glaze VII, Carolyn New York Mugged On The Six Train
Deep burgundy and garnet shades make me think of the holidays, leaves changing and sipping on a glass heart warming red wine. Their berry toned bases really do suit the cool gals best but when there is a bit of gold shimmer running through, they become pretty universally flattering.
Sally Hanson Wine Not?, China Glaze Cranberry Flame, China Glaze Vertical Rush, Creative Crimson Uprising, Misa Wine Burgundy
I can’t help but bounce up and down with glee over all these pretty new greens on the market. For the gun shy, I suggest trying it on your toes. I promise it won’t look like you have a disease. Green might just surprise you. When I have a great emerald shade on my tips to wear with my all time favorite eBay purchase, an emerald cut emerald and diamond ring, I never feel more myself.
Zoya Suvi, Rimmel Play Fast Camouflage, China Glaze Outta Bounds, Sinful Colors San Francisco, NYX Las Vegas.
Gunmetal Gray is this year’s black. Less shocking and in your face than black, this season’s deep metallic grays are just as chic but more muted and wearable. The main problem I have with wearing black creme is keeping it looking fresh and glossy. These shimmery grays take care of that issue.
Zoya Freja, Carolyn New York Subway Surfin, CND Hyde In The Dark, China Glaze Beatnik, China Glaze Black Diamond, Lippmann Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Not ready to jump onto the dark polish bandwagon? Are you a pink or sheer wearer that wants to be trendy but isn’t ready to take the plunge? For a sheer alternative, check out these new shades from Lippmann Collection. They’re the perfect way to wear the red and navy trend without making the commitment to full on opaque color. An added bonus; the glossy, jelly finish is to die for.
Lippmann I Want Candy and Rehab
Now it’s your turn, what trends are you seeing? What do you love, what do you hate?
Customization: Frankenpolish & The Art Of Layering
Ask any beauty junkie and we’ll admit, no matter how many shades, fragrances or formulations are thrown our way we are still restless for more. Even if we find that perfect product, after a while we’ll wish it was a bit more “something”. Deeper in color, smoother in feel, slightly more floral, etc. Let’s face, it we’re just never satisfied.
As we’ve learned from magazines, makeup artists and our fellow product junkies, beauty is like Burger King; we can have it our way. All it takes is a little customizing. Whether it’s layering your favorite perfumes to create a signature scent, mixing your moisturizer in with your foundation to make it sheer and dewy or blending eight different shadows to achieve that perfect smokey eye we love to alter and combine our favorite products.
In the world of lacquer it’s no different. When we can’t find the color we want we become kids again, mixing lacquer like we used to mix our finger paints. It’s all about experimenting, letting your imagination go and relying on our childhood art lessons about the color wheel. Say it with me folks, yellow and blue make green. Now I’m having Ziploc commercial flashbacks.
There are two methods of customizing polish:
- Layering – Using multiple layers of different colors to create the desired shade
- Mixing – Combining two or more lacquers in a bottle (aka Frankenpolish)
First let’s discuss the easiest way to customize your color, layering. It’s very no muss, no fuss. The only real trick is making sure the edges of each layer line up. If you have a shade that is too light or dark, layer it over white or black. Is your polish to sheer? Layer it over a similar hued opaque formula or black. Everything looks more intense over black. Love the shade of your chrome or metallic finish polish but hate the brush strokes? Add a sheer on top to achieve a smoother finish. Here are some examples from my own experiments.
I was so excited when I got China Glaze Kaleidoscope Him Out and He’s Going In Circles because not only are they holographic but they’re blue and green holos. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel that the green and blue made enough of an impact.
So I layered them over opaque creme lacquers and pow! Instant intensity.
Here’s an example of how I combated brush strokes in a metallic finish. I love the color of China Glaze Open Sky but the finish left something to be desired. So I turned to a holo for help. Adding a layer of OPI Blue Moon Lagoon didn’t alter the beauty of Open Sky, it just added a little bling and a smoother look.
These two were just for fun. I love my greens but a girl can never have enough options.
Now on to the science project that is the Frankenpolish.
My first try at making my own polish was to mix MAC pigment with clear lacquer. Mixing pigments can be a lot of work but if you have a gorgeous shade that would look great on your nails, it’s worth it. I buy Milani clear polish but others like using Sally Hansen Insta Dri. I add 1/4 tsp. of pigment at a time and mix, mix, mix before I test it on the nail. Just keep adding pigment until you’ve reached the desired opacity. If you can, add a couple mixing balls because the pigment will settle out when not in use.
Here are the results of my first ever pigment mix. This is MAC Entremauve in Milani Crystal Clear lacquer. The pink sparkles in Entremauve really pop as a polish.
The other method for mixing your own polish is to combine different lacquers to create a new shade. The true Frankenpolish.
Disclaimer: Due to the volatile nature of nail lacquer ingredients I do not condone or promote mixing formulas from different manufacturers. There is no way to know if they will safely combine. So franken at your own risk.
For great tips on the supplies, process and recipes, check out the Frankenpolish Notepad on Makeup Alley. Bravo to Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic for creating it and to all the lovely MUA members that contribute to it.
These lovely frankens are the creation of MUA member jennyferr.
45% OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, 10% Black
Camouflage, 1/3 Zoya Tangy
Now it’s your turn. Share your favorite layering combos and recipes.
photos: All Lacquered Up and jennyferr on MUA
NY Fashion Week Nail Watch – Charlotte Ronson
At the Charlotte Ronson show, bold funky french nails using pink, blue and yellow base shades with stark white tips were quite a contrast to the muted fabrics used in the clothing.
photos: Getty Images/Thomas Concordia
Celebrity Nail Watch – Big Brother 8
Ok so they’re not exactly celebrities, more like “celebrities” but CBS’s Big Brother and it’s cast is one of my guiltiest pleasures. My summer addiction. I subscribe to the live feeds, watch the online talk show and vote in all their silly polls. My secret is out, I’m a reality TV addict.
Not only do I love to catch all the drama, showmances and random acts of silliness on the live feeds but I also love getting to see the beauty regimes of the contestants. I know it sounds odd but being a product junkie, I like to see what products other people use and how they use them. This season, one ritual has stood out. Not so surprisingly, it’s the hamsters’ (as the online communities call them) focus on nails.
Now I’ve always caught contestants giving themselves pedis over the years but never before has polish been as noticeable as it is this season. And the girls aren’t the only ones getting in on the act.
Nick, the hunky All-American stud from Minnesota, who’s super comfortable in his sexuality and crushing hardcore on Daniele has been letting her play manicurist on his hands. I’m not a fan of the hot pink but I give him credit for sporting such a bold shade in front of millions of people with pride.
Then there’s the tattooed, rocker wanna be, Evil Dick (a self appointed moniker), who in the tradition of many a rock star (e.g. Dave Navarro) is “rockin” black nails. It works for him and after watching so many hours of him on my laptop, it would be odd to see him with bare nails.
What do you think about guys wearing polish? Is it sexy or weird? Does it only work on certain types of guys?
photos: WeLoveBigBrother.com, TV Fan Forums and Morty’s TV
The Lubu Manicure
Originally created by Zoe Pocock of the Charles Worthington salon in London, the Louboutin Manicure received a lot of press and attention from the fashionistas and nail lovers alike.
Inspired by this sensation, China Glaze has come up with their own take on this fashion forward look. Using the uber sparkly Ruby Pumps as the “sole” and their newest creation, Lubu Heels, for the “upper”, the Lubu Manicure is a glitzy, more Hollywood version of Ms. Pocock’s design.
Lubu Heels is a shade I know a lot of you have been waiting for. For anyone with Rescue Beauty Lounge Revamp or Revlon Black Strobe on your wish list, you can cross it off. Lubu Heels is the black polish with red glitter that you’ve been dreaming of. As is typical of most glitter polishes, Lubu Heels has that familiar bumpy texture and I’m sure it will be a pain to remove but that’s the price we pay for glittery glam.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
