Biggest Nail Trends to Try This Season

If you thought sky-high heels and fancy party dresses were the only covetable styles to hit the spring Fashion Week runways, think again! Look a little closer and you’ll notice a slew of standout, must-try nail trends headed our way soon—and the best part is, you can get a jump on these trends now! And why not? As the amazing Essie told us, it’s the only makeup that you get to see all day!

For a prim, proper, grown-up nail look, check out the demure manicures that Essie outfitted models with at Zac Posen. Instead of trimming all the models’ nails short and uniform, Essie kept them at an elegant length, making sure to file the tips into a flattering shape. To get the perfect curve while DIYing at home, just mirror your cuticle shape!

While not exactly DIY-able at home (unless you’re handy with plastics and hot glue), the OMG-worthy lattice-patterned Lucite nails that the CND team created for Joy Cioci’s spring show gave us one easy-to-steal idea: When you’re doing intricate prints on your nails, stick to one color instead of rainbow brights. It makes the trend a little more wearable and workplace-friendly.

An adventurous, exotic manicure—like those seen at Pamela Love’s Moroccan-inspired jewelry presentation—is the ideal way to travel without going too far. For an update on a tried-and-true nail polish classic, a plum and cream mix makes for a surprisingly fresh look!

The mellow-yellow hue that the CND nail pros whipped up for Karen Walker’s show walks the thin line between neutral and shocking. It’s simple and subtle, but if you catch it in the right light, it turns totally outrageous (in all the right ways)

Inspired by the gorgeous hues in Prabal Gurung’s spring 2012 collection, nail pro Jin Soon worked with Sally Hansen to create the Lacy Lilac hue, then topped the nail (except for the sides!) with a deep shimmery plum called Loves-Me-Not to add a little depth. So why the double-dip? “I wanted a strong color statement and a slim silhouette,” says Jin Soon. “It’s classic and elegant.” Sounds good to us!

Clearly, we keep going back to this classic for good reason. Pretty, sophisticated, fresh, sexy—what else could you ask for in a nail color? (Or in a shoe, dress or any old wardrobe item for that matter.) At Jason Wu, models rocked OPI’s Monsooner or Later nail polishes. Already got a great red at home? Apply a layer of high shine topcoat to any flattering poppy shade to update your polish!