New Nail Art

Forget this season’s ‘it’ bag, the ultimate fashion accessory are your nails. L’Oréal Paris report that the nail market is booming with sales out-performing lipsticks by 24%. Is it any wonder then that nail teams are out in force backstage? We give you the lowdown on how to dress your nails this season.

Want more nail art ideas? Adam Slee from Rimmel shows you some here. Or check out our nail art videos from Sophy Robson and WAH's Sharmadean Read's in ELLE TV's Beauty School...

Glitter nails always look a bit daunting but with GOSH Nail Glitter, £3.99 (Superdrug nationwide), it couldn’t be easier to get a full-on sparkle. Paint the entire nail with clear polish and while it is still wet dip your finger into the pot. Give it a little roll around until the nail is totally covered. Brush off any excess glitter from around the nail and seal with a top coat of clear gloss. The pots come in 10 shades so you can even do each nail a different colour – the one we have used here is 10 Blue Sapphire. For a quick fix try Revlon Sparkling, £6.49 (0800 085 2716).

The trend for quirky nail wraps was epitomised by the Meadham Kirchhoff SS12 show which was a frenzy of pastels and cartoon images. Backstage, the nails the beauty journalists buzzing with excitement as the specially designed Nail Rock Meadham Manicure wraps, £8 (exclusive to Topshop) were an integral part of the look. Now that Nail Rock have launched them we’re wearing them too (albeit a slightly more pared down version from the show while in the office). Clean nails with the preparation wipe (included). Apply the wrap and press down over the whole nail, smooth out any creases and then tidy up the edges with a nail file. Although be warned, while most of the images look sweet and innocent there are some slightly risqué designs in the mix.

The latest interpretation of the classic French manicure has evolved into a reverse, up-side down version. The trick is to make sure the colours clash and don’t match. We love Yves Saint Laurent Duo Manicure Couture in Edition 8, £28 (nationwide) – it comes with two, perfectly contrasting shades. Just pick which way round you want to wear the colours. Paint the nail with your chosen base shade, allow to completely dry and carefully paint along the tip with the other colour. If you can, try and keep the brush flat against the nail and do your line in one sweep. It takes practise but gives a neat result.

Flat, solid colour nails will no longer do – an effect is more modern. We love Nails.inc Magnetic Polish, £13 (nailsinc.com) and we can’t get enough of Whitehall (pictured). The formula has been developed with metallic particles which warp and move when they come in contact with a magnet, giving a beautiful ripple. Paint the entire nail and then hold the lid upside down over the nail – the magnet draws on the iron powder pulling it towards the cap. As always, once dry seal with a top coat.  

While we didn’t see much of the Ring Finger manicure on the catwalk during London Fashion Week, the ELLE Beauty team are still fans. There’s no strict design to this - paint your nails any colour you like but add a different detail to your wedding ring finger. We love adding a tattoo. Our current favourites are Topshop Nail Tattoos, £7 (topshop.com). The base colour used here is Max Factor Mini Nail Polish in 28 Pretty in Pink, £3.99 (available nationwide).