Contemporary nail art and polish trends

By Sisi Tsoi


Nails used to come in three colours. Red, red and red. Oh, and let's not forget french tips. Over the past few years, however, nail art has exploded, and has become a fully-fledged industry within the fashion world, as subject to seasonal trends as dress silhouettes and heel shapes. From tacky to quirky, nails have transformed into yet another area where we can explore personal style as well as try our hands (sorry) at something that we might feel is a bit too 'out there' for an entire look.

Whereas formerly the newest hot styles and printing were limited to the designer or your handbags, now it's just as awesome to have them lacquered at your convenience. Significantly, claw art has become a cash conscious and innovative way to pay honor to your preferred developers by getting motivation from their most creatively popular items and converting them via nailbrush and barrier. Leopard areas, aztec motivated printing, even the universe - thanks to Captain christopher Kane - is no more out of arrive at for those of us who want to have a little more validity than a quick design fake.

Wah Nails have been the biggest influence on how nail art has taken off in the UK. Whilst the Kawaii craze has been going on for years in Asia, it wasn't until 2009 in London when Sharmadean Reid opened the doors of her nail salon and opened up peoples' eyes to the possibilities that nail paint can bring. Born from a hip-hop community with feminist values at its core, Wah Nails revolutionised the way in which the fashion world thought about nails, forcing it to acknowledge its potential and the creativity that can be fostered within it.

Now the company has a branch at Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Street, and its influence can be seen everywhere from the runway to celebrities like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, and to the products that companies such as Barry M and Model's Own now create. New technology is being explored such as shatter effect and marbled nail paint; matte colours are gaining popularity, as opposed to the classic shine. It's also becoming easier and easier to learn how to do the effects yourself, with online tutorials teaching us how to use everyday items such as cocktail sticks and sponges to achieve that high-fashion look.

Where once spiky red talons were de rigueur, the globe is now your oyster (although as we talk, rises are creating a frightening return - see Designer Increased and Rihanna). It might seem frightening and challenging at first, so begin out easy. Try a naked, or 'greige' colour which will supplement most clothing. If you're sensation a bit more exciting, opt for pastels or brights, and always keep in mind a platform and top cover so as to quit discolouring and secure your varnish from snacks and scrapes that outcome from everyday deterioration. Keep in mind claw art is about having fun first and foremost!




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