Spring / Summer Nail Polish Trends For Moms of All Ages

If any of you have opened a fashion mag lately, there's something new afoot with regard to nail color:  the color.  Gone are the typical reds or rose-colored polishes, and a basic French Manicure?  So passe.  Instead, trends now range from gray (yes, you read that correctly:  gray, the color of a mouse) to neon orange. 

Sheesh.  And I remember when Chanel's Vamp was considered racy.

But despite my initial misgivings, the new nail polish colors are growing on me.  There's something fun about turquoise nails.  However, the last thing I want to do is look like I've borrowed my teenage daughter's nail polish.  There are some trends that should be skipped by anyone over 30.  Luckily, this isn't one of them.  Here's how to pull it off:

1. Keep the wild colors on your toes. 
2. Avoid hot pinks or dark purples.  They just scream "I'm 12! And love ponies!"
3. If you've chosen a wild color for your toes, pick a neutral color for your fingers.  
4. No gray. 
5. No glitter.
6. No frost.

A little sparkle is OK, but anything reminiscent of Crayola's Glitter Glue should be avoided by moms.

Last NOTE:  As a rule, I don't wear anything with DBP, Toluene or Formaldehyde.  They are just scary.  All picks below are free of those three ingredients.

Pretty, Pretty Pales

 

Pale nails in unexpected colors are huge this spring.  My three favorite picks for moms are a soft mint green, a light lavender, or a pale ocean blue.  All look fresh and sophisticated, not young.  Pictured above are Essie's Mint Candy Apple (pale green) and Looking For Love (pale purple), and Barbados Blue.

If you haven't used Essie polishes before, they are actually my favorite formulation.  The consistency is a bit thinner than most, which helps prevent chipping.  And they work great for the nail-polished-challenged (like myself).  My technique?  To glop this stuff on haphazardly over my entire toe, wait until it dries, and then just rub it off of my skin in the shower.  Seriously.  It works.

Bright Candy Colors

 

Yellow nail polish is tricky, but I think an opaque, true yellow is gorgeous - especially with a tan.  I'm loving the yellow Pippa polish by Zoya.  Essie's orange colored Bright Tights balances the punch of orange with a slight creaminess - like an orange sherbet.  And Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri in Mint Sprint is just the right shade of green - not too sickly, not too leprechaun.   Lastly, if you haven't heard, Pantone announced that turquoise is the color for 2010.  Which is good news - this color looks amazing on virtually all skin tones.  Try Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri formula in Brisk Blue.

Navy

If you, like M and I, have been addicted to Chanel's Vamp, or Essie's Wicked for years, I encourage you to try the new navy trend.  It's dark, sophisticated, and a surprisingly sexy pedicure. I love Zoya's Ibiza or Sally Hansen's Lacquer Shine in Spark.

Still Looks Fresh...

If the new colors still seem too much, you won't go wrong with Coral or Beige.  I think Essie does both of these categories the best. My favorite pick for coral is Essie's Tart Deco (apparently Oprah agrees with me) and my fav pick for beige is Essie's BBF Best Boyfriend.

Where To Buy

You can find Essie nail polish at various salons around the country, or at http://www.essie.com/

Sally Hansen Nail Polish is available at Target or at Ulta.

Zoya is available at most Whole Foods (although it's never the full line), or online at http://www.artofbeauty.com

So for under $10, you can update your look and add a punch of color to your Spring / Summer wardrobe, all without looking like your favorite animal might be a unicorn.  Even if it still is. 

xo,

S

Comments

[Sam]

I laughed when I read your technique for painting your toes: " . . . glop this stuff on haphazardly over my entire toe, wait until it dries, and then just rub it off of my skin in the shower." I have used this method for years, and it always works.

[Amy]

I'm in complete agreement with everything BUT the no grey rule. Finding one that complements your skin tone is tricky but rewarding. And it's a great neutral for your hands.

I haven't been bold enough to do the pastels yet (maybe next week—you give me courage) but my toes are currently bright neon orange!

I agree with Amy. Greys and Taupes are very hip and can be gorgeous. Toast by RGB is a perfect blend, great neutral and very now.

[S]

Really? You guys are loving the gray? Every time I see it I always end up thinking "dead person." Especially on toes. Perhaps, like Amy mentions, the trick is finding the shade that complements your skin tone - no easy feat.

But Taupe? LOVE. And RGB Toast is gorgeous. Good catch. :)

Sam - I'm glad I'm not alone in my "technique". If you can even call it that. LOL