The Best Nail Trends of 2010
Every few months the nail polish brands outdo themselves by launching a new collection of must-have colors. And with so many stunning shades out there, it's way too tough for us to choose just a handful of lacquers we love. So instead we focused on the top polish trends and hautest hues that
polish fanatics went crazy over
of the last year, broken down by season.
Best of Fall/Winter 2009
Trend: Shades of Grey
When putty-colored polishes first popped up, we were a bit perplexed. What's so cool about a color that looks like the sky on a dreary winter day? Everything, it turns out. Lady Gaga sported a grey hue on the September 2010 cover of Vanity Fair and practically every celeb in Hollywood has tried out a version of the tint (including Alyson Hannigan, who's nails are pictured here). The muted nail color trend is still going strong, with several new iterations like greige and grurple (a.k.a "hybrid hues"). Most-requested lacquers: Essie Chinchilly, a cool granite grey, and Sally Hansen Commander in Chic, a warm grurple.
Best of Spring 2010
Trend: Pretty Pastels
The word "pastels" conjures up images of Easter eggs and baby nurseries, but spring's feminine polish hues reminded us more of a jar of Jordan Almonds. Soft shades of pink and purple provided a pop of color against the season's neutral clothing trend. Sandra Bullock paired a
(shown here) with her shimmery gold gown at the 87th Annual Academy Awards and the results were nothing short of dazzling. Most-loved shades included Essie Liliacism, a light, creamy orchid hue, and OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender, a bubblegum pink with a hint of purple.
Best of Summer 2010
Trend: Into the Blue
After last year's eye-popping neon craze, we were ready to try something different. Enter a slew of gorgeous blue, turquoise, and jade shades, reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast, which was refreshing since we opted for staycations over tropical getaways this season. Check out Selena Gomez's dazzling azure manicure that she sported to the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, and Vanessa Hudgens's robin's egg-blue hue (complete with one Minxed nail) at the 2010 Comic-Con Festival. Most popular shades included OPI Catch Me in Your Net, a sparkling turquoise color fit for a mermaid, and Essie Tuquoise & Caicos, a rather Tiffany & Co-esque aqua for the classic beauty.
Best of Fall/Winter 2010
Trend: Heavy Metals
What happens when grown-ups start wearing huge chunks of glitter on their nails? The industry calls it a "foil effect" and refers to the finish as "texture." Whatever it is, we're on board. Between pumped-up metallics and glitzy glittery polishes, it's proof that you can wear a little razzle-dazzle on your nails without looking like a teenybopper. Khloe Kardashian's manicure, pictured left, is the perfect example of metallic done right: Edgy, chic, and with just the right amount of sparkle. Superstar hues included Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance, a chunky purple glitter "caught" in a sheer black polish, and Orly Cosmic Fx Space Cadet, a duochrome finish that flashes purple, gold, and bronze that is truly out of this world.
Related Links
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
