When it comes to Cannes Film Festival, some people are focused on the actors, others on the fashion, but we are zooming in on the manicures. The glamorous dresses call for equally exciting nail designs. Get an up close look at the best nail art and polish spotted in the South of France.
From movie premieres to party appearances, celebrities have perfected their looks down to the last detail: their nails. With the most exclusive access to top nail artists and not-yet-released polish shades, stars know how to create plenty of polish trends. So take note from these tastemakers on everything from pastel colors to intricate designs. Plus, our close-ups show you how to coordinate your fingertips with clutches and jewelry, too. Click through to see our favorite star nails of 2013!
— Additional reporting by Maria Del Russo
From the Oscars to the Grammys, award shows are guaranteed to bring on manicures galore. See the major polish moments from the biggest red carpet events of 2013, including the most recent Billboard Music Awards.
— Additional reporting by Jessica Cruel and Maria Del Russo
From the amazing soundtrack to the designer costumes, there's plenty of Jazz Age inspiration from The Great Gatsby, and I turned to the art deco style of the period for this striking nail design. This look is surprisingly easy to DIY; all you need are scissors, tape, and black and gold polish.
First, I applied two coats of Nails Inc. Black Taxi ($10) over my base coat. Once my nails were dry, I started cutting pieces of tape into small triangles to form the angular design. (You can see how the technique works from this starburst nail art tutorial.) I placed the cut pieces of tape onto the parts of my nail that I wanted to stay black, using three pieces of tape per nail to create four gold points shooting out from the base of my nail. Once the tape was laid down, I went over my nails with the gold-toned Deborah Lippmann Nefertiti ($19). I made sure to rip the tape off right after, or else you won't get crisp lines as the polish dries. Next, I added a little flapper flair with the glittering Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow ($20) on top of the gold polish. Seal everything in with your favorite top coat, throw on a sparkling headband, and you're ready to hit a Gatsby party.
Ciaté is known for taking the nail-art trend from the streets to the comfort of your own home with its easy DIY kits, like this Very Colourfoil Manicure Set ($25). The end result is a colorful and intricate design that looks far more complicated than it really is. To see how to use this genius kit, just keep reading.
We've been painting on pastel and springtime hues as soon as they hit shelves, but now that it's actually sunny and warm outside, we're rounding up the best new nail colors to try for May. From bold, bright hues to textured formulas and even a fun nail art kit, you won't want to miss our top polish picks this month. Just keep clicking!
Into every life, a little nail polish must fall. But just because you accidentally lacquered your skirt, desk, or couch doesn't mean the stuff has to stay there. The faster you act, the better off you'll be, and most materials respond well to solvents you already have lying around the house. See our easy polish-stain fixes now.
For the good side of nail polish, be sure to check out our ultimate nail guide!
If you're looking for something a little more fun than the traditional french manicure for your bridesmaids, you're in luck. Bright, colorful nail polishes are not as taboo as you'd think . . . especially when paired with the right dress. Flip through to see 10 gorgeous bridesmaid dresses and the rainbow of colors that complement them.
With all the new makeup launches, it's pretty clear that turquoise nail polish is the must-have shade for Spring and Summer. Not only does this blue-green color pop against springtime pastels, but also, it looks even cooler set against a golden sparkle.
For this mermaid-inspired look, I used the teal-hued Paul & Joe Nail Enamel in Caribbean ($14), along with the gold-glittered Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow ($20). Start off with a base coat like Butter London Nail Foundation ($19), and then swipe on two coats of the turquoise polish. Next, dab the gold glitter polish on the base of the nail to create a gradient effect. Once you have your desired look, seal everything with a top coat like Essie Good to Go ($10) for fast-drying shine. Even if you're not soaking up some sun at the beach, one glance at your nails will take you there.
For even more nail art and polish trends, be sure to check out our ultimate nail guide!
'Tis the season of warmth, sun, and eye-catching nails, and the hottest shade of the moment is ocean green. From creamy seafoam to sparkling turquoise, there's a bottle of blue-green lacquer waiting to polish your fingertips and toes. Click through to see the newest shades just hitting the beauty counters.
