As the weather transforms from the warm, endless summer sun to the cool, dark nights of fall, so does your nail wardrobe. We move from sunny yellows and bright corals to dark jewel tones and soft neutrals. The best way to transition successfully to the new season is to go about it gradually.
1. PLAY WITH PRINTS
For a fun, easy transitional manicure, play with colors and prints. I love Yellow Submarine nail wraps from NCLA. The bold print and navy blue is very fall-friendly, while the yellow is a subtle reminder of those beach days you are starting to reminisce about…
2. THREE SHADES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
If you are more of a classic polish girl, try blending three different red shades to create an ombre effect. Start with a more vibrant summery shade toward your cuticles and blend to a deep dark burgundy on the tips. Try using all three polishes from the same line so that all of the textures remain consistent.
Pro Tip: Use a makeup sponge to blend the colors. Don’t forget to seal in your nail art with a good top coat. Zoya has a lot of great reds to choose from. Try using Gia, Asia and Sofia.
3. TRY NEW TEXTURES
The most literal ode to your beachy summer vacation is a textured polish, like Liquid Sand by OPI. The texture adds a new fun dimension that coordinates well with thicker fall fabrics. OPI also has a great Web site that allows you to try before you buy.
4. REMAIN NEUTRAL
For a softer look that transitions with any wardrobe, try using a creamy neutral. A lot of times it’s hard to find the perfect nude shade, so I recommend layering two colors for a custom look to complement your skin tone. In my kit, I always carry several neutral tones and create a custom blend for all of my clients. One combo that works really well is Tulle and Nostalgia (both by Jin Soon).
Pro Tip: Remember to polish your nails with the darker color first and let dry completely.
5. SEPARATE THE SEASONS
You can always embrace the best of both worlds by combining your fave summer color on your toes with a more fall-inspired color on your fingers. Use complementary colors like a mermaid-y blue-green on your toes with a deep cobalt blue on your fingers. Remember, if you use a shimmer polish for your pedi, try to use a flat (solid) color for your mani.
Photos via: The Nailasaurus, ClaraMaeJames, Glamorable, Love For Lacquer
