Four trends to nail this summer

Love your talons? Make sure they're pampered in the upcoming season

After 2017's holo-nails, coffin nails, manicures made with creepy crawlies, aquatic critters, diamonds, and gold dust, we have seen them all. Clearly, women today are ready to go to the extra mile when it comes to sporting the right nail trends. But while 2017 will always be the year of some crazy nail, hair and skin looks, the 2018 summer palette looks slightly different. Here are the top nail trends to look out for this summer, all backed by celebrity support.
The cropped-short look: More and more people are ditching the 1.5-inch stiletto nails in favour of a more natural, simple and glam look. Celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Kate Nash, and Margot Robbie have rocked the basic beige, cream and nude looks at the SAG Awards this month. To achieve the look, use Nail Tek clear top coat over buffed and rounded nails no longer than half an inch from the nail bed. Got brittle nails? Use a Nail Tek spa treatment and apply Nova Nail press-ons for a look that lasts you at least a few weeks with no touch-ups. 
Ultraviolet nails: Originally made popular by Rihanna and Nastia Liukin early this year on the red carpet, Ultraviolet is a blue-toned lilac that suits almost every skin tone and - what's more - is the Pantone colour of the year 2018! Check out China Glaze's City Flourish collection for shades like In a Lily Bit or Electropop Sweet Hook for lighter skin tones.
Black is back: An iconic look worn across the Golden Globes this season is the shiny, statement-making black manicure. As the #MeToo movement brought to light some very disturbing but real cases of assault, this summer, awareness and black nails will be very much in season. Personalities such as Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington and Saoirse Ronan all rocked their black nail looks that signified solidarity and strength. Black nail paint can stain, so ensure you use a top coat under your polish to keep the staining away. My personal favourite is Dark Room, a true black varnish by LCN, but for those looking for the best black falsies, go for Nova Nails press-ons in Matte Black. 
Nude attitude: For any woman who wants to keep her nails work-appropriate as well as party-ready, milky soft beiges and nudes with either pink or caramel undertones are best. If you're looking for va-va-voom realness, look to Chrissy Teigen's Essie rounded square acrylics. Want a subtler 'I woke up like this' look? Try soft shimmery nails as sported by Mandy Moore and Emma Stone at the Golden Globes. To keep your nude nails crack-free, ensure you are using a nail hardening top coat over your manicure, such as the Seche Professional Top Coat Kit.  
wknd@khaleejtimes.com