New Fingernail Trends: What's In, What's Out

You didn't really think that styles would change as much as they do without fingernails following suit did you? Take a closer look at the fingertips of the women around you. You have probably noticed some interesting trends over the decades...

Out: Iridescent colors
In: Opaque colors

Those shimmery pinks and beiges were once the epitome of springtime. And even though shimmer hasn't quite exited the building, there's a new "texture" in town. Opaque nail colors in juicy shades have taken over. Their thick lacquered effect packs more of a visual wallop than their glittery cousins.

Out: Severe, white tipped French manicure
In: Multi-hued/Bejeweled French tips

French manicures will never really go out of style. But those severe white tips of the 1980s and early 90s have edged ever so slightly into the background. Today's French manicure is much more daring. Fingertip colors have graduated from stark white-to red, black, silver, diagonal designs, and the whole nine.

Out: Traditional reds, pinks, magentas
In: Blues, purples, greens, and (gasp!) yellows...

Reds, pinks, and berry colors will always be women's favorite "go to" shades. But other colors in the rainbow are now taking front and center. Look for an explosion of avant-garde nail colors like emerald green, cobalt blue, and charcoal gray. First Lady Michelle Obama has even gotten in on the trend. Take a peek at her sandal clad feet on vacation with the First Fam in Maine; she's got green toes! Nail color, once reserved for natural shades have become just as daring as the clothes they adorn.

Out: Super-long fake fingernails
In: Nude, short, & natural

A shift from super long, "glamorous" fingernails has taken place; celebrities are now opting for nude, short, and natural. In general, it is much easier to care for nails when they are kept short. Nude colors allow one to appreciate the fingertips more so than when they are besieged by artificial talons. Hollywood's finest have discovered that natural nails better showcase their immaculate sense of style.

Out: Square tips
In: Pointy tips

This happens to be one trend that isn't necessarily catching on in great numbers. But starlets like Rihanna and Fergie (of the Black Eyed Peas) are daring enough to don pointy "vamp-styled" nails. If you're adventurous enough to pull this off, try to avoid colors that scream Halloween. Black looks great-but only if your corresponding outfit doesn't look too "costumey." If you're going the pointy route, keep the nails fairly short, or else you may end up looking like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (if you happen to be too young for this pop culture reference, look it up.)

SOURCES:

www.essence.com
www.giantbomb.com
www.ivillage.com
www.thefrisky.com