One of the most fun, and honestly most reasonable to do "in real life" aspects of runway beauty is nail color. Age, body type, skin tone, none of it counts you out when it comes to nails. And this season we saw a wider array than ever of nails being done, from simple subtle nudes to over the top bedazzled and chained tips, it was pretty much, if you can dream it, you can do it in the world of high fashion nails for Fall 2015.
Key products we saw used, first at the shows that used natural nails (no tips)
At the Zoya shows, such as Timo Weiland Fall 2015, everyone was talking about Satin Finish Nail Color: These super cool soft matte finished polishes eliminate the need for a base coat and a top coat making them the epitome of simple, unfussy, easy to DIY chic.
At the Essie shows, deeply pigmented jewel tone polishes led the way, often with subtle nail art accents. Some of my favorites included distressed golden nails (created using First Base Coat, Tart Deco, Adore-a-Ball, and Summit of Style and Shine Around Top Coat) at Jenny Packham, the smoky "Proenza Schouler grey" (made by layering Essie hues Licorice and Allure) at Proenza Schouler, the hot pink "gypsy wheel" nails at Sophie Theallet (created with Essie hues Big Spender and Bahama Mama) and the metallic blue nails (created using Essie Aruba Blue) for Costello Tagliapietra, the ultra- pigmented deep plum nail (created by layering Essie hues Carry on and Sole Mate) at Yigal Azrouel, the tri-color "chevron" nail (created using Essie hues Mademoiselle, Berry Naughty, and Midnight Cami) at Rebecca Minkoff , and the graphic tonal black and violet nails (created using Essie hues Smokin’ Hot, Matte About You, Sexy Divide) at Wes Gordon.
At the JINsoon shows straight polish without nail art was the trend. But the polish was far from boring, in fact there were tones of gorgeous metallics and deep jewel tones. I personally loved the metallic turquoise blue nail (created using JINsoon Power Coat, Heirloom, and JINsoon Top Gloss) at Karen Walker and the deep burgundy (created with JINsoon Power coat, JINsoon Audacity and JINsoon Top Gloss) for Derek Lam.
Now on to the shows that favored tips!
The clear "best in show" has to be CND, whom created knock-out mini works of sculptural art for both The Blonds and Libertine. But I also really loved the taken-straight-from the collection prints at KYE done by Rose Velez-Niggins for Tatz Nail'z, and those crazy striped tips at the Degen show done by artist Casey Herman using China Glaze Nail Lacquer.
Pictured above left to right, top to bottom: Models ham it up backstage at Derek Lam, Stripes ruled the day at Degan, Collection patterns on tips at Kye, Deep grey at Proenza Schouler, Electric blue at Costello Tagliapietra, golden chained tips at Libertine, a close up on the dark burgundy hue at Derek Lam, Electric Turquoise polish at Karen Walker, Chevron nails at Rebecca Minkoff, "Gypsy Wheel" pink nails at Sophie Theallet, Spikey striped nails at Georgine, Jewel-encrusted nails at The Blonds, Two tone nails at Wes Gordon, Satin finished nails at Timo Weiland, Deep plum nails at Yigal Azrouel, and 'distressed glitter nails at Jenny Packham.
Images: Essie products and backstage, courtesy of Essie, JINsoon proudcts and backstage courtesy of JINsoon, all others C.Hope for Style Wylde