Winter at Northwestern generally means three things: a knee-length North Face, thick leggings and Uggs. So while you're bundled up, why not get a jump on spring trends and add a fashion-forward touch to your look with nail art? Here are four original suggestions, with inspiration taken directly from the runway:
Oscar de la Renta's spring show was feminine and colorful: the perfect combination for brightening dull winter days. More than anything, though, it was surprising. With pops of red, mustard and chartreuse mixed with lace and organza, his runway was both young and sophisticated: inspired equally by the Italian renaissance and 1950's. Transferred to your nails, this look is pretty, practical and much cheaper than a $5,000 dress.
Products used: Sally Hansen Green Tea & Bamboo Nail Strengthener, Wet 'n' Wild Fast Dry Nail Color in Everybody Loves Redmond, Milani Nail Art Lacquer in White Canvas, Dick Blick Round 00 Red Sable Brush
1. Cover your entire nail in solid polish. The thinner the coat, the better.
2. After the base is dry, paint a diagonal three-scallop design with white lacquer and a small paint brush. A nail art formula is preferable because it is thick and opaque.
3. Along the bottom edge, draw another line of scallops. Then dot a line underneath these.
4. In the center of each large scallop, paint clover shapes. The easiest way to do this is make a big dot and pull the polish upward. Don't worry if the nail surface is now uneven. We will cover this up with a top coat at the end. Along the top line of the clovers,draw a straight, diagonal line.
5. In the untouched corner of your nail, paint a small lattice-work.
6. If you want to add more detail, make small dots between the clovers and large scallops - or anywhere else you have blank space.
7. Finally, cover in a thick top coat and wait as long as possible for your nails to dry before doing anything.
Stripes were a big trend on the spring runway - especially for Fendi, J. Crew and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Each of these houses showed preppy, day-wear collections that casually blended masculine and feminine elements. While Marc and J.Crew each incorporated surprising neon elements, Fendi was a bit more sophisticated. All three relied heavily on crisp white, navy, orange, the subtle pattern and, of course, stripes. Putting simple stripes on even one nail is a fun way to add personality to any outfit.
Products used: Sally Hansen Green Tea & Bamboo Nail Strengthener, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Café Au Lait, Wet 'n' Wild Fast Dry Nail Color in FuchsiaRama, Dick Blick Round 00 Red Sable Brush
1. Cover your entire nail in solid polish. A nude color will make the finished look a little more refined.
2. While the base is drying, cut thin strips of tape to mark off stripes on your nails. When it's completely dry, place them on the nail in even intervals and use a cotton swab to press them firmly onto the nail bed.
3. Swipe one thin coat of another color over the entire nail.
4. Wait for the top layer to dry, and remove the tape.
5. Finish the nail with a top coat.
Chanel is always a safe and classy bet - for both clothes and nails. This year's ready-to-wear collection, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, was a fanciful interpretation of the undersea world. Models were decked in pearls, organzas, wintry pastels and the house's obligatory black. This look pays homage to the classic black Chanel while also juxtaposing a strong, geometric pattern and airy, iridescent ruffles.
Products used: Essie Nail Polish in Velvet Voyeur, Milani Nail Art Lacquer in White Canvas, Dick Blick Round 00 Red Sable Brush
1. Cover your entire nail in a dark, solid polish.
2. When the base has completely dried, use white lacquer and a small paint brush to draw the outline of a four-point star over the entire nail.
3. With the same white lacquer, fill in the top two quarters you have just sectioned off.
4. For the bottom two section, add one additional stripe behind the existing line.
5. Apply a layer of top coat and let dry.
As always, patterns will make a big appearance this spring. Diane Von Furstenberg's runway stands out as a stunner: chock-full of bright patterns and pillowy pleats. The show - inspired by new beginnings - opened with clean whites, and quickly moved to colorful solids and standout patterns. Instead of slaving over your nails with a paintbrush to recreate this trend, try decorating with patterned paper.
Products used:Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue, Lokta Plant Paper, OPI Nail Envy Strengthener
1. Cut a piece of tissue paper or thin, handmade paper to fit your nail bed.
2. Dab a small amount of nail glue over the entire nail, and cover with pre-cut paper.
3. Since the glue will soak through the paper, making it sticky, use a small but blunt metal object to smooth the paper over the nail (the round end of nail clippers works well).
4. When the glue is dry, finish with a clear, strengthening top coat. Remember that both the glue and the top coat will make the paper darker, so do not try to find an exact matching polish for the rest of your nails.