Image source: Deesse Magazine
Last Friday I featured my favorite Summer 2011 Nail Color Trends at BlogHer Style and while I’m totally still loving my yellow nails though in truth, they are bare at the moment, I can’t resist all the fun nail art that has been making the rounds on the internet the past few years. I use the term art because that’s exactly what it is. These ladies have more patience in their little fingers than I do in my entire being.
I remember a time in the early 90’s when I painted my nails blue & dotted them with white polka-dots and for a homecoming dance, went out on a limb with my black French tips but nails as of late are far more extreme and far more fun than their originators. {Should we blame Katy Perry or Gwen Stefani for this trend?}
Since I’m of a certain age I tend to lean toward the more simple and classic styles with a bit of an edge or fun to them and I think the manicures below fall into that category quite nicely.
Jennifer’s Manicure Mondays – Real Snakeskin Manicure DIY
Jennifer’s Manicure Monday at The Look For Less – I’ve Got The The Midas Touch
Sophisticated bling by Lyndar the Merciless
via my Pinterest originally via WAH Nails
And just in case you’re not the smooth operator that some of these fabulous manicurists are, here’s a little cheat sheet created by the lovely Lacquerized.com that may help you with your base coats.
* I’m also kind of drawn to Gel Manicures but I’m so bad with maintenance, I’d end up just letting them grow out in the end. It’s just too much upkeep for this DIYer but they look really pretty.
* Title: quote by Ian McEwan; something I find to be most true with Britney Spears …but just a theory 😉
Mrs L...
Inspiring post! Off to get my nails done. 🙂
L'Americanina
Oh man I LOVE those gray nails with the multi-colored tips… that is SO my style. The gray with the gold tips is also gorgeous… I wish I had more TIME to do these myself!!
ps. LOVE your blog. If I had a blog, I would want it to be just like yours 🙂
taylor
i love the manis that have just one finger of sparkly polish. that way i avoid looking and feeling like a 13 year old!
Neris / Fashion Fractions
I love the beige ones with different color tips…. The most I’ve ever done is put some glitter on the tips of my nails 🙂 Too lazy for anything else… But all of these look so nice so I might give some of them a try 🙂
Fashion Fractions
Megan
My nails do not grow- I mean, they do, just super super slow– I “cut” my toenails about every 3 months! When I got pregnant I was so excited that my nails would finally start growing– and they didn’t. (before I was preg I took flintstones every day and now I take prenatals) Anyways– long story SHORT..they FINALLY started growing last week– 8.5 months pregnant. ha! But i’m excited to start making them look really pretty.
anhesty
great tips! and im loving the gold nail polish
Gwen
I love the sophisticated bling. that is totally something I could wear to work. I love all of the nail art too but the only think I’ve been brave enough to try is painting on fingernail a different color. I’m such a rebel. LOL!!!
Jenna {Jenna Sais Quois}
My goodness, I’d never heard that quote, but it perfectly sums up my life! I wore close-toed shoes all through May and June because it was the busiest/craziest few months ever. Thank goodness I am back on track, and with a mani/pedi to show for it…
Marie-Eve
Love all those pictures.
Right now I’m really loving the nail polish strips, I use the ones from Sally Hansen and it’s a good compromise, they don’t chip as fast as a regular DIY one, but is less expensive than the professionnaly made ones.
My Blog – A Pretty Nest
Carrin
The title speaks the truth! Nails are totally the first thing to go if my pocketbook is feelin’ the strain!
I am loving the 1 nail a different color look!
CessOviedo
Thank you so very much for the how to chart! Feeling inspired to go get a wonderful manicure!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
Cara
Yup – not surprising that the day we returned from our honeymoon, as I was about to embark on a big project at work, and start packing to move 2 weeks later – my found myself destroying my shellac manicure unconsciously! Did some damage to the nail, so now it looks like I’ll be doing regular manicures to keep them covered until they grow out! Thanks for the chart – it’s back to basics for me!
JennaBrooke
Your post definitely inspired me to get a manicure myself! And the quote is so true, nails are definitely the first thing to go when life gets hectic! I ended up letting my “gel” manicure grow out too…
http://justsomethingspecial.com
Malaika
My friends always make fun of me for how much much I obsess about my nails … Truth be told, pretty colored nails are an accessory to me, just as important as my outfits.
New nail polish can instantly brighten an outfit and the possibilities are endless!
Just yesterday I shrieked in excitement when I found 3 new colors Ive been stalking and finally found …
So thank u for this post Maegan … now I don’t feel so crazy for wanting my nails to look pretty all the time 😉 LOL
Ari
Love this post! So many pretty nails…. Love the ombre and glitter ones. Such a pretty set of inspiration! I work with my hands, so my nails can’t hold a manicure for long. But I’ll try if my mani looks like these!
myoungpeter
Girrrrrrrl RUN from gel/Shellac nails. They look fantastic for about 10-14 days but they’re a nightmare every day thereafter for about four months. I had a gel mani in February and it took until June for my nails to get back to a healthy state. I would find a good topcoat or use Sally Hansen’s nail stickers 🙂
daer0n
I love all of those, the designs are so cool and so artistic, so creative. I dislike gel nails on me though, I don’t know why but they make me feel old lol.
Katie
I love those pics! I know that if I tried to do mine like those, they would turn out horribly. I guess I should have them done for me!
drollgirl
kind of loving the little gold diggers!
and my nails are in sad disrepair. again. lol. i never seem to make them a priority! i need to step it up!
Tamra {walkswithBella}
Ohhh great nail tutorial. Perhaps it will keep me from painting my skin. I love nail art, but not sure if I have the patience or time, but I would love to try the look 3rd from the bottom.
alexandra
Thanks for linking the gel mani post I did for Beauty Banter. I love that they’re low maintenance and if I want to remove them myself it’s easy and my nails are healthy.
If you’re ever interested, my manicurist is fabulous and right here in the neighborhood.
Mad For Fashion
They are all fabulous…My obsession is the crackle now with that i am an expert…LOL
legsnshoes
Great tips. And great manicure inspirations.
Moondancerjen
I love all these inspirations! I’m really into nail art. I even have a blog where I post all my ~*creations*~ it is such a fun way to express my creativity, and with practice it really isn’t that hard or take that long. If you are ever looking for more inspiration, check out my blog: http://moondancerjen.blogspot.com I also collect nail art ideas on pinterest if you want to follow me there: http://pinterest.com/moondancerjen/nail-ideas/
Anonymous
The beige nails with the multi-coloured tips comes from Wah Nails. It’s an amazing nail salon in England. http://www.wah-nails.com
The Honeyroom
All the nails look awesome, but my absolute favorite is the second to last one, the beige french manicure, love it!
The Honeyroom
Lila
I love this so much. Nails are huge this season, unfortunately, I’m terrible at doing my own 🙁
http://lushluxelovely.blogspot.com/
pushups with polish
this is awesome and inspiring! if you L.o.V.e. nails check out my blog Pushups with Polish. xxo
ps: this is my first time on your blog, it’s great
Lisa Petrarca
Cool Nails! We’re doing a fundraiser for BABY ARIELLA-she’s still hanging on! Stop by & check it out!
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2011/07/baby-ariella-faithhopecharity.html
Nanette
I love all of those examples, except the snake ones. That gave me the heebie jeebies. Heh.
I’ve recently fallen in love with the Sally Hansen polish strips. Fairly easy, long-lasting, and lots of fun! Received tons of compliments on them.
Schnelle Couture
I tend to go for the more classic look but I really love the multi-colored tips in the picture above. I may have to try that!
Macy Perrone
ha! love it! i was just thinking the same thing about my nails as i was stuck in traffic the other day…you are brilliant!
ZombieLace
I have always loved a slightly wacky nail job, but this has given me even more ideas! Definitely taking some to heart as I head to the nail salon this afternoon 😉
the outfit diaries
The third picture is my favorite, mmm, litte pieces of gold!
http://theoutfitdiaries.blogspot.com
ShannonAnn
You should look into soak-off gels. OPI and Harmony are two good brands. They soak off in about 10-15 minutes. I used them for pedicures at a time in my life where I knew my nails would be neglected.
Debbie
Now I’m into Zoya, the non toxic brand.
Now wearing Red Ruby Slippers on toes and bare fingers
Jane
Really, Maegan? “Here’s a little cheat sheet”? Please, give credit. This is from Michèle, from Lacquerized.com. She did it from scratch.
SAMANTHA
OMG i love these!! especially the “i’ve got the midas touch” one! BEAUTIFUL. i’m inspired.
http://www.dragonnruit.com
...love Maegan
Jane …I didn’t know ..and have never heard of Lacquerized.com …I found this cheat sheet on Pinterest and it didn’t have a link through so I just linked it to that . Thanks for the info though. I’ll re-link it now.
Laynie
You’ve shown some lovely manicures! I agree, the how-to at lacquerized.com is fabulous. However, the other part of nail art is cleanup, and most of the nail bloggers I know (myself included!) don’t show our manicures until after we’ve cleaned up. Thankfully, Michelle at lacquerized has a how-to on that, as well!
How to clean your cuticles to finish your manicure, thanks to Lacquerized.com
Also, for those who love to wear glitter, but LOATHE glitter removal, there is an easier way to remove it. I used to hate removing glitter because it made my nailbeds actually hurt! Once I learned this method, I don’t worry… I know I can get ANYTHING off my nails without much effort at all!
Glitter removal that won’t make you swear never to wear glitter again!”
Hope the links help… you’ve given me SO much inspiration!
lifestartsonfriday
Thanks for the nailspiration! These nails all look fab and I can’t wait to try out the tips in the cheat sheet. 😀
I tried gel manicure below and they are really low maintenance! Contrary to the previous comments, my nails were fine after I removed them too. Maybe because I didn’t keep them on for more than 5, 6 weeks?
PS: imo reverse french manicures are fab too!
Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl
The taupe nails with colored tips are simply AMAZING! I totally need to duplicate the look!
www.glamour-blog.com
Great DIY’s thank you!
Anonymous
the tan with different color tips comes from http://wah-nails.com/post/7662330573/perfect-nails-for-phoebelovatt-perfect-hands
Prêt-à-Penser
awesome post!
it gives so many ideas 🙂
xx
http://WWW.PRETPENSER.BLOGSPOT.COM
The Fashion Duet
The grey with the gold tips are definitely gorgeous! I’m really into gold nails right now!
http://www.thefashionduet.blogspot.com
Alex
this cheat sheet is AMAZING and will be s useful. I am probably the only girl that can’t paint her nails. I tried like 4 different times last week & they still look like shit.
Kez
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
I also really love the quote you used as a post title. It’s so true to my life! In fact, last year was a devastating and trying time and the first thing I did to get back on the road to happiness was make a point of prettying up my nails. It worked! Once I did that, I started doing bigger, better things for myself and my wellbeing improved ten fold!
Funny how that works 🙂
Pralinka
I think nails are very important. And these photos are so creative!
Check my GIVEAWAY and if you have time you’re welcome to http://www.chocarome.blogspot.com
Anonymous
I LOVE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL NAILS
Hannah Carol
I just did a post on my calgel experience! (you can’t get them filled in, though, so they’re not the same gels you mentioned.) it’s at hannahcarol.blogspot.com if you wanna check it out 🙂
Ellen
Beautiful nails but who the heck has the time, the kind of job that doesn’t get them wrecked in a day and who doesn’t have a home that needs cleaning. Obviously people with too much time, money and vanity.
...love Maegan
Thank you Anonymous for WAH NAILS link!!
ANd Ellen: maybe some people enjoy and get creative fulfillment from doing their nails so it’s worth it to them .
Armani Watches
Hi – i just found how cool it is to have pained nails this year. Until now I was kind of scared of painting my nails or leave them long as i thought i would look like a which – must be some issues left from my primary school teacher that had those long red nails. I am so happy to see the multitude of ways i can play with my nails now and i am not afraid to experiment. Ty for sharing
Toni @ That's Beeutiful
My new obsession is my nails and I totally just did the multi-colored tips. And I love them. And they’re awesome. And I don’t have too much money. Or time. Or vanity. Anyhoo…Love! Thanks for the inspiration!
And with 4 kids how in the hell could I ever have too much money or time…(or vanity says my makeupless face) Oh and I do work too, hence the not having too much much money situation I’m stuck in…
evelyne
I need to know what that gold polish is! Does anyone know?
Fabric Calgary PVC
Very inspirational post!
Jess
Oh the rainbow tips are just beautiful!
Anonymous
Pfff “”of a certain age”… I’m not yet 17 and I’ve had some of these exact looks bookmarked for fall, they’re gorgeous.