Some of our aesthetic choices are pre-destined by the weather—warm tones in fall and pastels in the spring. But what if it wasn’t so? What if (like S/S ’16 trends did) we’re thrown a beauty curve ball? Would you wear black toenails with your most embellished sandals or try on an autumnal wine? We asked some of the world’s top nail experts to decode summer’s manic colour mix:
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Once you go black
“I love a black toe for spring/summer, it’s a bad girl look that goes against the grain of what you expect during the warmer months,” says Katie Jane Hughes of Butter London. A black pedicure picks up perfectly on the details of this season’s graphic sandals, like this one from Ancient Greek Sandals x Peter Pilotto. But if black is too goth for you try a smoky grey, midnight blue or deep berry.
Once you go black
Butter London Nail Lacquer in Union Jack Black
Once you go black
Bobbi Brown Nail Polish in Navy
Once you go black
Nykaa Nail Enamel in Earl Grey Tea Cake
Once you go black
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Vamp
Once you go black
Lotus Make-Up Ecostay Chip Resistant High Shine Nail Enamel in Blue Pearl
Once you go black
Natio Nail Colour in Maple
Once you go black
Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Bittersweet
Bare it all
“I’m also a huge fan of a perfect, gorgeous sheer nude,” says Hughes, “bright colours are a given for summer, so an ‘expensive-looking’ nude can be a fresh take.” She recommends Butter London’s nail tinted moisturiser to get the look. And bare toes are a great complement, by way of contrast, to the embellished sandals du jour, like this one from Sam Edelman. Want to ply up the sparkle on a balmy summer night? Add a touch of shimmer.
Bare it all
L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Le Vernis in How Romantic
Bare it all
Lakmé Absolute Gel Stylist in Ivory Dust
Bare it all
LYN Nail Polish in Fairest of Them All
Bare it all
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Cream of the Crop
Bare it all
Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturizer
In the pink
“We are seeing a trend toward bright pinks, almost neon, for toes to bring a little cheer after the long winter has died down,” says Nadine Abramcyk of TriBeCa nail salon Ten over Ten. What about if you could up the colour ante and make it last the duration of your beach holiday? “Gel has become increasingly popular for pedicures,” says Laily Mesbah of Hortus Nailworks, “it keeps your pedicure super shiny and long-lasting… Perfect for beaches!” Wear to sundowner cocktails with D&G’s lush, floral sandals.
In the pink
L’Oréal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star by Aishwarya
In the pink
Lancôme Vernis in Love in Rose Boudoir
In the pink
Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Queen of Hearts
In the pink
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Tipsy Gypsy
Jewel tone twinkle toes
“We’ve been noticing a big bright colour trend for spring, but not the usual pinks and oranges of summers past—this includes deep and bright blues and greens,” says Mesbah. Go for a one-two jewel-tone punch by combining with a saturated shoe like J. Crew’s cobalt stacked heel and feel like a princess by adding a cute toe ring.
Jewel tone twinkle toes
Colorbar Pro Fluid Sand Nail Lacquer in Rose Day
Jewel tone twinkle toes
Maybelline New York Forever Strong Super Stay Gel Nail Color 7 Days in Emerald Excess
Jewel tone twinkle toes
Lakmé Absolute Gel Stylist in Burgundy Blast
Jewel tone twinkle toes
Sally Hansen Triple Shine in Sparks Fly
Double the (colour) fun
“Since toenails are so tiny I generally recommend to keep design to a minimum and opt for an alternating colour or accent if you’re feeling adventurous,” says Madeline Poole, Insta-famous manicurist and global color ambassador of Sally Hansen. She suggests choosing two colours that “vibrate well together”—black and white, or two warm or two cool shades—and alternating them on fingers and toes. Pair this with rainbow shoes from Chloé.
Double the (colour) fun
Maybelline New York Forever Strong Super Stay Gel Nail Colour 7 Days in Pur White
Double the (colour) fun
Colorbar Pro Nail Lacquer in Coral Sheer
Double the (colour) fun
M.A.C Nail Transformations Studio Nail Lacquer in Shadow
Double the (colour) fun
Bourjois Paris So Laque Glossy in Amande Défilé
The post The coolest summer pedicures (and the sandals to go with them) appeared first on VOGUE India.