Neutral nails have had a makeover. Introducing s/s 2017’s most wearable nail-art trend...
Ombre dip (inspired by Monse s/s 2017)
Step 1: Using a fine gold glitter varnish like Gala, £18, Jin Soon, wipe 80% off the brush and, from a few millimetres above the cuticle, swipe to the tip.
Step 2: Once dry, apply a second layer, starting 2mm further up the nail. Repeat with a third layer starting 2mm higher.
Step 3: Switch to a rose gold glitter like Sparkling, £6.49, Revlon. Repeat the process moving up the nail until you reach the tip.
Step 4: A plumping top coat such as In The Gloss, £12, Leighton Denny, will create the glossy finish of a gel manicure.
Gold leaf (inspired by Nicholas Kirkwood s/s 2017)
Step 1: Apply a sheer, tinted base coat (Nail Envy in Samoan Sands, £19.50, OPI, is a soft, suits-all shade) to brighten the nails. Leave until almost completely dry.
Step 2: When the base coat feels tacky, use a dry lip brush to pick up small flecks of Deco Gold Flakes, £6.50, Pebeo, and lightly brush them onto each nail. Brushing too hard can lift the foil off, so be gentle.
Step 3: Repeat on all nails before applying a thin layer of Quick Dry Top Coat, £15, Eve Snow, to seal the design without losing the foil texture.
Gold line (inspired by Rodarte s/s 2017)
Step 1: Gently tease cuticles back with a cuticle pusher before applying a sheer polish. Nailberry have a great range of flesh tones to choose from, £14.50 each.
Step 2: Take Shattered Souls, £19, Smith and Cult, and, using a Detailer Brush, £14.80, Orly, carefully trace around the cuticle (the thin head allows for a neat line).
Step 3: Skip the top coat as overloading the polish will risk it peeling off prematurely. Instead, massage a drop of cuticle oil into the fingertips once the polish is dry.
Off the grid (inspired by Teatum Jones s/s 2017)
Step 1: Run a cotton pad soaked in nail-polish remover over the nail to remove any naturally occurring oils which will peel away the foil on top.
Step 2: This grid nail look isn’t very forgiving to unsteady hands so opt for silver foil tape to create the straightest lines. Lay Metallic Tape, £3.95 Elegant Touch across the bare nail and file away the excess at the edge of the nail with a soft-grain nail file like Neon Filemates, £6 for three, Tweezerman. Continue to complete the grid pattern.
Step 3: Add a top coat to seal the foil and increase longevity.
Photography: Gemma at Pixeleyes
Nails: The Illustrated Nail using OPI
Hand Models: Mirabel and Titi at Hired Hands
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