Winter or summer, colourful or statement nails always help to lift an outfit or a mood and with so many affordable options on the market now there’s no reason why you shouldn’t play with your look by adding some colour or sparkle to your nails, for daytime or night-time.
Adding a Splash of Outrageous Colour
If you want to match a bright-coloured outfit or maybe add a tiny little splash of colour to your look with some funky nails then there are lots of different brands to chose from for those distinctive statement nails. Rimmel offers a really wide range of colour options from the unusual to the classic. So if you’re on the hunt of bright yellow (for that Big Bird touch!) or funky pink (to add the finishing touches to that girlie outfit) then chances are you’ll be able to find a perfect match in this range. On a word of warning though, be careful with the very bright colours, like green, as they tend to stain the nail a bit, making it difficult to remove all evidence of the shade, except by painting over it. A base coat is really needed for these very bright shades. You don’t want your nails to look Shrek-coloured for months after trying out your funky new green shade! Try Rimmel’s Green Grass, Sunshine, Green With Envy, Purple Reign, Blue My Mind or Coral Crush, or Estee Lauder’s Rose Apricot.
Choosing a Classic Colour
While green nails might be just the statement for some people, they’re not for everyone, so old reliables like classic, pretty pink nails are always a winner if in doubt. Try Max Factor’s Nail Finity in Disco Pink, Rimmel’s 60 Second’s Shocker, Portobello Pink or Fast & Fuchsia, or Sally Hansen’s Fuschia Bling Bling.
Sometimes Subtle Works a Treat
When it’s not a crazy orange nails day, or even a pretty pink nails day, then there’s nothing wrong with nude and natural nails. It’s not always about the colour. Sometimes even treating your nails is just the ticket. The sheen of polish always makes your nails look prettier even if you’re not into bright colours. Clarins offer a great range of polishes that are suitable for doing either French manicures or just adding a bit of gloss to dull nails. Quick-drying and easy to apply, you should always have a pot or two of these products in your beauty drawer for nail emergencies. Another must-have is Gosh’s Nectarine shade. It’s very subtle but has a beautiful hint of sparkle to brighten up your pale nails. Also try Rimmel’s Icing Sugar or Estee Lauder’s Golden Nude.
A Touch of the Vixen
If you love painting your nails then chances are you’re a fan of the popular blood red, femme-fatale-esque nails, either to compliment your lipstick or to inject some life into a duller outfit. Red nails always add a great lift to your look and most brands of nail varnish offer a range of shades to suit your taste or mood, from the bold to the slightly more subtle. Rimmel’s Double Decker Red makes a real statement, as does No7‘s Rose Truffle, while Gosh’s Wild Rose is a subtler option.
Going Goth
Dark nails used to be a Goth statement. Now, thankfully, they’re high-fashion. Sure, you have to be a bit more precise with the application but the end result looks great. For a dark purple tint, try Estee Lauder’s Plum Cassis or No7’s Damson Dream. For a more navy hue, Rimmel’s Electric is great. And for all-out black then be brave and try Gosh's Nero shade.
Pretty Pastels
If you don’t want to be subtle and you don’t want to be loud then fear not, there’s a middle-ground. Pretty pastels are everywhere now and can add a hint of colour to your nails without screaming out loud. Revlon has recently introduced some new shades, including Minted and Lilac. Take some time applying these shades though because they can be quite transparent on the nails - one coat isn’t enough but two may cause it to peel, if not applied finely enough... And if pinks and peaches aren't your thing, try Rimmel's Grey Matter for a subtle hint of nail colour.
