Wintertime lends itself to all kinds of festive apparel and accessories. Between cocktail parties, holiday card photo-ops and family dinners, there’s no better time to get fancy on the fingertips. Here are this season’s hottest nail trends that you can try today.
Essential Winter Colors
Navy and dark blues: Mix darker blue shades with a hint of sparkle this year. Don’t be afraid - these colors have been showing up on runways and fashion spreads as a new winter hue. Give your nails a bit of a bold look this year at work, holiday parties, or just because.
Berry, wine, and burgundy: Call them what you will, darker reds have always been a wintertime staple, and this year is no different. Look for slight variations like deep oxblood or shimmery reddish-browns.
Dark green: Green nails may sound like a turn-off under normal circumstances, but new polishes take green to a new level. We’re not talking bright, neon greens; we’re talking deeper forest green, muted emeralds and stunning jades. These go great with a red outfit for an understated holiday look that isn’t too cliché.{relatedarticles}
Gold and silver:You trim the tree with gold and silver ornaments, treat your nails to the same luxury! There are plenty of lines with different interpretations of gold, copper and silver that can leave your nails as shiny as the star on top of the Christmas tree.
Nudes: Nudes, peaches and taupes are an elegant, simple and understated choice any time of the year. If you are looking for something low maintenance to get you through a hectic holiday season - this is it.
Purple: Fashion newsletter and website Refinery29 calls purple the new neutral this season. Wear it to work during the day and then to a romantic, wintertime dinner in the evening. Look for colors like eggplant, lilac and lavender.
Candy-apple red: You can never go wrong with a classic like candy-apple red. This sassy tone is not only festive, but goes with everything! No wonder it has been a favorite since the 1950s!
A Fresh Take on a Classic Style
Forget about your old, faithful standby and make room for a fresh take on the French manicure this season! In a post to her website last year (don’t worry, it still works this year!), makeup artist Lisa Eldridge described “The New French” as applied by British nail artist Sophy Robson.{relatedarticles}
Not only did it include colored tips, what made it unique was the slightly pointed shape the polish creates at the tips. She notes that the smile line (line that makes it seem pointed) mirrors the shape of the nail and is tapered along the sides. Experiment with different shades to find a combination that works for you.
To make it work for you, get nail polish guides to mask the ends of your nails while you apply the base color, which should be the lighter color. Once the two layers are dry, remove the polish guide (can be found at any drugstore) and carefully fill in the ends. Voila! Runway ready in no time!
But you don’t exactly have to go with a new take on a classic look this season. To show your festive side, consider embellishing your nails with some themed nail art. Snowflakes, snowmen and other holiday designs may be available in stencils, or you can get really creative and design an entire winter scene!
Winter Nail Care Tips
When the temperatures drop and the air dries up, your nails and cuticles can take a beating. Consider these tips to keep your nails in top shape throughout the winter season.
Shari Gottesman, founder of Perfect Formula nail polish, recommended to CNN the use of moisturizer on nails in the wintertime. Keep plenty of heavy moisturizer in your purse or desk drawer and apply it regularly to avoid split nails, dry cuticles and cracks. You may find yourself washing your hands more often in the winter (it is cold and flu season, after all), so be sure to apply your moisturizer after every wash.{relatedarticles}
If you’ve got some time on your hands, pamper yourself at the salon! Invest in a paraffin or hot oil treatment to lock in moisture and replenish dry skin the next time you get a manicure.
If you don’t have extra time on your hands, or for your hands as it were, then you can approximate the health benefits of a salon treatment at home the old-fashioned way. Grab a jar of Vaseline Intensive Care - the jelly, not the lotion - and a pair of soft cotton gloves. Before you hit the sheets at night, slather on the jelly, sheath your jelly-covered hands with the cloth gloves, and snuggle into a cozy warm bed.
The heat from your body trapped both under the sheets and within the gloves plus the 8+ hours of sleep reveal soft, smooth hands the following morning and no time wasted at a salon.
Like we said, winter air can be very dry. Even indoors it can be difficult to escape the dry winter chill. Fight back with a humidifier that adds humidity to the air. This may not only help keep nails healthy, it can be a good way to avoid dry skin, too!{relatedarticles}
If venturing out into cold, dry weather for extended periods of time protect your hands by wearing gloves - preferably ones made of leather or cotton that help lock in moisture and are less prone to irritating sensitive skin than wool. Also make sure you wear rubber or latex gloves when washing dishes or scrubbing down the house to avoid drying out your hands and nails from abrasive soaps, chemicals and cleaners.
For extra defense against breakage and peeling, consider adding in supplements of:
- vitamin C - stops free radical damage, preventing wrinkles;
- vitamin D - prevents cancer; and
- zinc - helps wounds heal.
Before adding anything to your diet, though, consult your doctor. Some foods like eggs contain biotin, protein, and zinc - which may be beneficial to nail health - but some people may be advised to stay away from eggs or other foods for health reasons.{relatedarticles}
Armed with the latest winter colors, some new style ideas, and a few winter nail care tips, show off your nails this holiday season with confidence!