A happy & healthy new year starts with a manicure. And that’s just a fact. Since the beginning of time, eye glitter, winged liner, and the bold lip have ruled your party face. But what about your party hands? You know, those things you throw up to Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA? (A standard track at every party since its 2009 release.) Adding a swipe or two of paint to your nails will make you mysteriously shimmer into the New Year’s Eve spotlight. Helloooo midnight kiss!
Maybe it’s Limited Too seeking revenge, but a full-fledged glitter coat comes across as naive. I’d like to consider myself a glitter expert and the right dose of pizzazz for those over age 18 looks something like this...
Notice how this full squad shines more like a seashell then one of those sequined flip pillows. Two coats of shimmer nail polish will accent, not take away from your disco ball inspired outfit.
The Toast of the Town: Cheers to neutrals! The biggest nail trend of fall 2019 was a barely there color that helped keep cuticles neat and minimizes the temptation to bite. Personally, I like a nail color that catches the light much more that a plain-Jane tan, simply isn’t capable of. The colors Prosecco and Sparkling Stone have operated as my professional woman neutrals this year. For anyone who just doesn’t do glitter anything a nude or light gray glossy coat is your gateway. Beachy by Revlon (Hi, they aren’t just a haircare brand!) is one of the best nail colors you’ll find. It looks like pure liquid gold on your tips. Pair with royal purple or royal blue for a contrast only Gatsby would dare. The roaring ‘20s are back again! Paint your history.
Not Santa Red: Picture the kind of red/orange Crayola color. You know, from the 64 box? (Don’t you just feel an endorphin rush when you think about that back-of-box sharpener? Wooh!) This “off-red” nail color mixes trending orange with iconic red to achieve a deeper, more-likely-to-last tone.
These two polishes are alter egos of one another. The solid hue says I don’t pay for my drinks and the shimmered one wants to be first on the dance-floor!
Magnetizing Metals: A metallic navy, purple, or lead colored nail is the perfect flash to add to your black uniform. Make metals fun by going two per nail. Side by side vertical is the easiest way to try nail art because you can paint as normal, just stopping once you reach the centerline of the nail. Start with the lighter color first in case the paint bleeds past your middleline. You can salvage the design by painting the darker color over the lighter color. Allow about two songs worth of time to elapse before switching colors.
For New Year’s Eve, a lot of people will go for a silver French manicure. The last thing you need is to be worrying about the tips of your nails peeling off as you ring in a new opportunity. Instead, use a fine tip nail brush to create squares in a Donna Summer approved disco pattern. With a checkerboard print, the design is on your entire nail so if the tip chip off its not like the whole essence of your mani is ruined.
Paint Whit Wis: Sorry, I just had to make this joke again because it's just too funny! Repeat after me: there is nothing more important to a manicure’s survival than a clear coat. Notice very few of my nail polishes are big name brands. I get away with spending less per colored bottle because I invested in a solid clear coat that seals my handiwork for at least a week! Salon-like UV caves can gel any polish and leave your nails ultra shiney. And let’s face it: after a week there will be a new hot color in town. Of course, O.P.I. or die is still a thing but, I have to shout out Pretty Woman Nail Polish! There quality is incredible and their color selection is perfect for the ball drop.
Getting a salon quality paint job at home is all about your tools and well, a steady hand. Next time you go to get your nails professionally done pay attention to what your girl is doing! You can definitely DIY. Nail clippers, cuticle pusher, a nail bed scraper, hand cream, and a soapy bowl of water are the big 5 here. Set up on top of a magazine or paper towels in the room with the best lighting (I know you know where that is.)
Lastly, try to not slip into the habit of letting your toesies be an afterthought. Does your toenail polish have to match your fingernail polish? Absolutely not! Get creative and concern yourself more with picking a nail color that will add something to your shoes. How many of you are thinking of wearing peep-toes on 12/31? Thought so.
Nice to Meet You, What’s Your Name: Reading the names of nail polishes in the drugstore is one of my top 10 hobbies! In addition to teaching fitness classes, I hope to find a retirement job where I can name all the pretty paints! I dub thee: Wise Wildflower.
Whether you’re spending New Year’s Eve in a dark lit club or cozy on the couch force yourself to sit still for five minutes to fancy up your nails.
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