It’s difficult to describe to men the craze women have with their nails. This craze, which has existed for a long time, was brought to most men’s attention with the introduction of instagram and the millions of photographs that women have posted of their manicured talons which have ensued.
What they don’t understand is that nice nails are an inexpensive and usually quick way of making you feel and look a million dollars. No matter how worn down or unkempt you may feel you are (you could be having one of those weeks), manicured nails instantly make you feel and look 50% better. Add a shower and a slick of lipstick and maybe run a comb through your hair and voila! You are ready to go out on the town.
The great thing about autumn nails is that you can easily incorporate either summer or winter looks and get away with it. For example, it is perfectly acceptable to wear coral red or pinks, which were big this summer like Bourjois Rouge Fashionista or to the complete contrary, navy blue which will be very big in Autumn/Winter 2012/13. Along with navy, this autumn, deep reds and oxblood like Essie Berry Naughty are very much in. MAC’s nail lacquers in Nightfall and Spirit of Truth are perfect for those who are fond of very dark nails but want a change from the classic black or Bordeaux.
The more unusual mousy greys and matte blues and greens which were big last year are still in huge demand with shinier, more glittery versions of these making an appearance whilst taupe beige, like Essie’s Miss Fancy Pants, has replaced the classic nude nail varnish.
If you feel that you can’t have nice nails all the time due to financial restraints, fear not. The easiest trick in the book and to avoid needing regular manicures (and presuming that you know how to apply your own nail varnish – it’s rare to find a woman that can’t nowadays), keep an orange wood stick and cuticle oil (which can both be found at your local pharmacy) by your bed and before going to sleep each night, do a mini manicure which will only take you three minutes, tops.
Apply a drop of cuticle oil onto each nail and gently push back the cuticle with the orange wood stick. Done. This way (and with maybe a good filing once a week) you can avoid needing a full-blown manicure for up to six weeks. Pushing the cuticles back regularly makes your nails grow faster and also makes your nail varnish stay on longer as you are pushing away all the dead skin cells which stick to the nail and can cause the nail varnish to flake off. Avoid cutting your own cuticles though; leave this to a professional as they tend to grow back faster and thicker if overcut. Use the orange wood stick trick instead and wake up everyday with beautiful, healthy nails.
Written by Kat Naoum from Style in View
About the Author: Carleen Coulter
