A long winter of heavy sweaters, turtlenecks and coats can leave you pining for a new light and airy spring wardrobe. Sadly, our bank account doesn't always seem to be in line with our fashion sense. (Cue the sad trombone.)
But before you sink into the summertime blues, know you can inject some serious seasonal style into your life with an inexpensive bottle of nail polish.
Whether you prefer something simple and sophisticated, say a nude or something pale and creamy, or like to make a statement — pastel green or full-on glitter, anyone? — your nails can set your whole personal style tone.
On spring runways, we definitely saw a turn toward minimalism (Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs), but also noted pretty pastel and sorbet shades (Douglas Hannant, Peter Som, Rebecca Minkoff) and shiny metallics (Erin Featherston, Behnaz Sarafpour, Carlos Miele).
"Nude will continue to be big for spring as we saw on the runway, but it's a stronger look with opaque nudes — not sheer pinks," celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann tells ShopAtHome.com.
"White is another big trend that we saw on the runway that is great for spring. I used Amazing Grace topped with Like A Virgin from my line for the Honor show, and it was gorgeous," Lippmann said.
Lippman says nail color for spring is just plain fun.
"I launched a Staccato collection containing three shades — I'm Not Edible, a panicked pink; Polka Dots And Moonbeams, a sprightly black and white; and a mint mayhem shade called Rockin' Robin," she says. "We took very wearable spring shades and added black glitter, which gives them a bit of an edge. I like how the glitter pops with the creme base, and adds pizazz to traditional hues. It's like nail art in a bottle."
Nail options
Here are three more spring nail polish trends sure to make a statement. And at these prices? You might as well snatch up as many bottles as you can. A fresh spring style is at your fingertips.
TEXTURE
• Deborah Lippmann Staccato collection: Love the idea of glam, glittery nails, but not quite ready to go full-on glitz? This new polish combines black glitter with pastel colors (try the mint Rockin' Robin, pink I'm Not Edible or white Polka Dots and Moonbeams) — giving you pretty feminine, but with an edge. A college-age nanny dubbed this "the coolest nail polish I have ever seen." Get it: $19, www.lippmanncollection.com.
• China Glaze Textured Nail Lacquer: No need to worry about getting your polish perfect with this fun and bumpy product that looks a little like a texturized wall once applied. It comes in great names (yellow-green In the Rough, coral Itty, Bitty & Gritty and dusty blue Of Course!) and offers subtle sparkle. Get it: $5; www.amazon.com.
• Nails Inc. Feathered Effects: Too shy to work the feather trend on your clothes? Wear it on your nails. This cool polish builds colors as you layer it, so use it alone or over a solid base color. In spring shades of teal and yellow, blue and white, pastel orange and blue or pastel peach and white, the feather-like particles add instant pop to your look. Get it: $9.50; www.sephora.com
GLITTER
• Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 'Supernova': Add instant shine to your day by brushing this purple glitter polish on your nails. Wear it alone for a more sheer look, or cover a bright base coat for added oomph. Get it: $2.99, www.ulta.com
• KB Shimmer in 'Oh, Splat': Feeling a bit Jackson Pollock today? Brush on this white polish filled with a rainbow of glitter for a splatter paint vibe. Just think: A couple layers, plus a clear top coat and your nails will be a work of art. Get it: $8.75, www.kbshimmer.com
• Milani One Coat Glitter Nail Lacquer in 'Gold Glitz': You'll be puttin' on the ritz — and the glitz — with this gold shade that glitters with the best of 'em. It's like jewels for your nails. Who wouldn't want to get in on that? Get it: $3.82, www.drugstore.com.
PURPLE PASSION
• Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in 'Sitting Pretty': Can't part with basic black, even in spring? Let your nails take on a pop of purple color. This medium shade isn't too pastel, isn't too dark — as Goldilocks would say, it's just right. Get it: $4.79, www.target.com.
• Essie Nail Polish in 'Play Date': Make your own ode to spring with this perfect pastel purple polish. It's ladylike, but still fashion-forward, so it works at the office or, as the name suggests, at play. Get it: $7.75, www.walmart.com
• Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in 'Polar Purple': Give your metallic purple nails an instant upgrade with this cool polish: You paint on a base coat, then, after your second coat, you hold the cap with a built-in magnet over the nail for 10 seconds, and the polish moves around, creating a cool lined effect. Pay a pro for fancy nail art? No, thank you! Get it: $9.99, www.walgreens.com
