It’s a new year and that means “out with the old and in with the new.” Last year demonstrated that there are no boundaries when it comes to nail polish. Gone are the days when it was only acceptable for women to wear pinks, red and nude colors. In this new modern era, we are not afraid to experiment with colors, with designs and with texture. Nail art is all the rage after appearing on the hands of celebrities like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj. While the celebrities take their nail art and nail polish to a different level, there’s nothing wrong.
This opens up a whole world of possibilities that are right at your fingertips. Research has shown that despite the economic downturn last year, the nail polish industry has actually gone up a lot—a whopping 59 percent to be precise. In hard times, nail polish is the affordable guilty pleasure—next to maybe chocolate. So what will you be wearing this year?
The most logical choice: glitter. Last year, glitter nail polish has been the go-to polish when you want to automatically jazz those fingers up without worrying about making a mess. You know what I mean. The ability to messily paint your nails with glitter nail polish and having it still come out gorgeous. I know I can’t do that if I was using any other nail polish.
Color wise, there is no wrong when it comes to glitter polish. If you want to go classic, I would opt for either silver or gold. Otherwise, choose one that matches your outfit for the night. Deborah Lipmann is generally the brand everybody thinks of when they see the word glitter, but the past year all the major brands (China Glaze, OPI, Zoya, Essie) have released their own line increasing the variety and colors out there.
For those who see glitter and run the other way (at times, I feel the same way when it comes to glitter polish removal), there are other methods of dressing up your nails. For as long as I can remember, everybody and their mother have gotten French tips at one point in their lives, whether they were acrylic or real. But instead of getting the usual white tips this time, you can always switch it up. Black French tips still exude an air of elegance and classiness, but with a dash of edginess.
Similarly, for those fashion forward individuals, half-moon or reverse French manicures have been on the rise. They were introduced probably back in 2010, but it hasn’t officially entered my beauty/fashion radar until last year where I saw them everywhere on my college campus. I have to admit though, back when it came out, it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I have learned to appreciate them after being blatantly exposed to them—repeatedly. For this look, I recommend sticking to contrasting colors: black/white, red/black, blue/white, or just anything paired with white or black. If you feel extra daring, you could do them with two shades of the same color.
Last on my list, I present you with your classic black manicure. It’s edgy, but sophisticated and polished. Throw on your LBD, a pair of high heels, and you’re about good to go. Black nail polish, for the longest time has a tainted reputation. People associate black nail polish with those that might be called Emos or Goths, but that reputation has been changing these past eleven years. Just like how women are no longer afraid to step outside the boundary when it comes to color, black nail polish aren’t just applicable for certain groups anymore. With that said, I prefer trimming my nails down when I wear black nail polish simply because I find them slightly witchy otherwise. However, if you are embracing your inner Gaga, leave them long and wear them proudly.
So while I embrace a new year with my sparkly nails, just remember, the sky is the limit. Don’t let your rainbow of red, pink and nude hold you down from trying something new. Or if you’re like me, finding that old frosty blue nail polish from Middle School was the spark I need to jumpstart my nail polish bubble.
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