I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and a long & restful weekend :) Now that winter really is right around the corner, it's time to think about holiday manicures and winter nail polish trends!
This winter, there isn't a new nail polish technology or a "the next big thing" color/color combo we haven't seen before so there's no need to rush out and buy any new polishes - chances are, you probably have some (if not all) of these nail polish trends in your collection! If you don't, I've listed options at all price ranges so you can easily snap up whatever trend speaks to you this winter.
I selected five nail polish trends I think are standouts this season. For each trend, I'll share a polish in my collection and list some more options along with information about where you can find them. I've also created a Winter 2013/2014 Nail Polish Trends board on Pinterest :)
My picks for these first two nail polish trends are inspired by what I've seen gals wearing around NYC. During the spring, summer, and fall, I saw so many different manicures on NYC ladies but over the past few weeks, two nail polish trends have clearly emerged: rich red and deep vampy anything.
Zoya Livingston and butter LONDON Fairy Cake were provided for review. *Denotes an affiliate link. Read my disclosure policy here.
Rich Red
Rich red nail polish is such a classic and classy look and ladies of all ages are wearing red polish in NYC this season! I know what you're thinking - if red nail polish is always in style, what is it doing in a trends post? Two reasons: one - I'm seeing red nails everywhere more than ever, and two - I'm considering that now more than ever there is an entire rainbow of polish available, and red is still getting picked (not just over pink or nude).
Zoya Livingston, $8 from Zoya.com
Chanel Lotus Rouge, $27 from Nordstrom*
Essie Skirting the Issue, $8 from Bed Bath & Beyond
Kevyn Aucoin Blood Roses, $26 from Net-A-Porter*
OPI All I want for Christmas (is OPI), $8.50 from Ricky's NYC
Revlon Raven Red, $3.89 from Harmon Face Values
Rescue Beauty Killa Red, $18 from Rescue Beauty
Sephora X Curiosity, $12.50 from Sephora
"Is that black?"
Also known as "deep vampy anything". Everywhere I go, I see gals rockin' super dark tips. Colors so deep that they could be mistaken for black. OPI makes some of the best - in addition to Black Cherry Chutney (shown below), there's Russian Navy and Every Month Is Oktoberfest. The "is that black?" nail polish trend is the one trend on this list I could wear every day until spring and be just fine :)
OPI Black Cherry Chutney, $8.50 from Ricky's NYC
Deborah Lippmann Dark Side of the Moon, $17 from Bloomingdale's*
L'Oréal Breaking Curfew, $4.99 from Harmon Face Values
OPI Every Month Is Oktoberfest or Russian Navy, $8.50 from Ricky's NYC
OCC Black Dahlia, $10 from OCC
Sinful Colors What's My Name, $1.99 from Walgreen's
Nude & Black Glitter Gradient
I first saw the nude & black glitter gradient done at NYFW by Katie Jane Hughes & butter LONDON for Nicole Miller's S/S 2014 runway presentation. Since then, this look has really taken off and I see it quite regularly pop up on my Instagram and Pinterest feeds! Creating a glitter gradient is much more forgiving than a cream color gradient and is really quite simple: paint your nails with the base polish (in this case, the nude polish). Once dry, using an eye shadow applicator sponge (or other cosmetic sponge), start at the tip of your nail and dab on the second color (here it would be the black glitter). As you dab the polish on, work from the tip of your nail toward your cuticle and the color will thin out. Touch up as needed!
butter LONDON Fairy Cake and Black Knight, $15 each from Ulta
Cirque Never Nude ($15) and Alter Ego ($42) from Cirque
Dior Sparkling Nail Powders, $48 from Nordstrom*
Sephora X Sparkle Bomb and Blast Off, $12.50 each from Sephora
Zoya Godiva and Dahlia, $9 each from Zoya.com
Rose Gold
Rose gold is huge in fashion right now, especially when it comes to accessories - just take a look around the jewelry and watch section the next time you're in a department store. I've also seen rose gold detailing on flats and bags on gals around the city. Oh, and the new Samsung Galaxy watch even comes in rose gold ;) Putting on a rose gold polish is a great way to rock this trend!
Cirque Stella, $13 from Cirque
butter LONDON Champers, $15 from Henri Bendel
China Glaze Strike Up a Cosmo, $3 from 8ty8 Beauty
Deborah Lippmann Glamorous Life, $17 from Bloomingdale's*
Essie A Cut Above, $7.00 from Bed Bath & Beyond
Estée Lauder Rose Gold, $20 from Saks*
MAC Soirée, $16 from MAC
Nicole by OPI It Starts With Me, $7.99 from Ulta
Incoco Nail Strips in Penny Rose, $7.99 from Incoco.com
OPI Make Him Mine (textured), $8.50 from Ricky's
Orly Rage, $3.99 from Ulta
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Blush Over Hue, $7.99 from CVS
Sinful Colors Full Spectrum, $1.99 from Walgreens
BIG Holo Glitter
Big holo glitter is turning up everywhere this winter! In addition to straight up holo glitter goodness, the latest trend is polishes that suspend big holographic pieces in a tinted jelly base. Below, I DIY'd my own jelly holo sandwich!
OPI Black Cherry Chutney (base), NYX Girls Spotlight (glitter), and Zoya Catherine (purple jelly)
Cirque XX, $13 from Cirque
Deborah Lippmann Glitter and Be Gay, Shake Your Money Maker, and Stronger, $19 from Sephora
KBShimmer Green Hex & Glam, $8.75 from KBShimmer
Illamasqua Perseid, $23.53 from Illamasqua
Inglot Nail and Body Art Spangles, $9 from Inglot
Nicole by OPI Spark the Conversation, $7.99 from CVS
NYX Girls Spotlight, $1.50 from Fragrance Warehouse Outlet
OPI I Snow You Love Me, $9 from Ulta*
Pipe Dream Polish Twigs and Berries, $10 from Etsy
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Open Mica Night, $7.99 from CVS
Sephora X The Superwatts, $12.50 each from Sephora
Sparkle Factor Lacquer Spotted, $5 from Etsy
So there you have it! What do you think - do you agree? Did I miss any? Check out the winter nail polish trends Pinterest board for more swatches!
What's your favorite nail polish trend this winter?
Zoya Livingston and butter LONDON Fairy Cake were provided for review. *Denotes an affiliate link. Read my disclosure policy here.