One of the most frustrating things about being a poor college student is the inability to go shopping whenever I please. There are so many days when I want to buy the latest trend or just experiment with a new, different look.
Fortunately, I’ve found a way to curb my shopping urges…nail polish. Adding a punch of color to your nails is the easiest and quickest way to update your look. One bottle goes a long way, and while lipstick might have been the best mood booster during the last economic crises, I find having a brilliant, beautiful new shade on my hands is a more personally satisfying enhancement.
My tip for a chic and cheap update is to be stylish, and financially savvy, by giving yourself an inexpensive nail makeover. All you need are some basic (and often cheap!) supplies, a bit of practice and a modicum of patience.
Follow these tips to keep your nails stylish this fall:
Length
When it comes to nails, shorter is better, especially when it comes to wearing this season’s darker shades. Long gone are the days of being a slave to the acrylic nail and constant need for a professional manicurist.
Not only are short nails in style, but they’re much easier to maintain. You will no longer have to worry about breaking a nail on that pesky bike lock, or feel them biting into your palm as you take down endless notes. What a relief!
Shape
The most flattering nail shape is the “squoval.” This shape is achieved by filing straight across and rounding the edges. This shape looks great on just about anyone.
An interesting trend among celebrities this fall is the pointed nail. This look is achieved by filing the nail into a triangular point. Celebrities such as Rihanna make this unique trend look chic.
Personally, I like to stick to tried and true methods that are easier to maintain. Just because a trend pops up doesn’t mean you have to try it.
Color
The best thing about this season is that no color is off limits. Experiment with atypical colors such as plum, jade green and navy blue.
For an even trendier look, go for metallic shades such as silver and gold or polishes with flecks of glitter in them.
For a simple, classic look, try crimson red. You can never go wrong with this timeless color.
Finish
Shiny, glossy nails are so last season. This fall is all about matte, lackluster nails.
You can find just about any polish color in a matte finish.
But, if you’re like me and don’t want to spend a fortune on the latest beauty fad, I have great news. Several nail polish brands have formulated a matte, clear top coat. Just apply over your favorite nail polish shade and within a few seconds, you have a trendy matte finish.
One of my favorite brands, Essie, has a mattifier so you can take your old polish and update it with one purchase.
Nail Care Tips:
1. Remove any pre-existing polish with a remover that contains Vitamin E, which helps strengthen nails.
2. File and buff nails. Don’t use a file as a buffer, it will destroy your nails.
3. Thoroughly moisturize hands and nails with lotion and allow to penetrate into nails for a few minutes. Cutting cuticles yourself can be risky if you do not know what you’re doing so push back cuticles to avoid infection and prevent them from interfering from a perfect polish.
4. Either wash hands with a gentle hand soap or swipe each nail with a cotton ball dipped in remover to take off any residual lotion, which will result in bubbles appearing within polish.
5. Use a good base coat and a nail strengthener. This will prevent chipping and breakage.
6. Allow base coat to dry. Apply one coat of polish. Start with the pinky of your non-dominant hand and work towards the thumb, which has a tendency to turn and can smudge if you’re not careful. Do the same with your dominant hand, starting with pinky and working towards thumb.
7. Repeat step 6 again with another coat of your color and then either a coat of mattifier or a coat of a quick drying top coat.
8. The next day swipe on one more layer of color and one more layer of top coat. Unless you find yourself doing heavy manual labor, your polish should really stick.
Have a look at these trendy nails for some inspiration:
Beautiful burgundy, matte navy and elegant plum.
