Candy Coated
NAIL THE SEASON’S COLOUR TREND WITH A SET OF HIGH-PIGMENT TIPS
Photographed by Joseph Saraceno (judyinc.com)
Off figure styling: Tricia Hall (Ford Artists)
Story by Jennifer Ng
Over the past few years, we’ve seen cosmetic brands release all sorts of crazy nail polish colours. There was a time (remember the 90s?) when all cosmetics were varying shades of neutral. There certainly is a time and place for a nude colour palette, but makeup technology has come a long way in giving us high-pigment, intensely saturated shades. Brands like M.A.C, Make Up For Ever and Urban Decay have now made widely available aquamarine, tangerine and violet shades that were previously only available to makeup artists.
For those who feel apprehensive about wearing cobalt blue or turquoise on their eyes, nails are a fantastic way to acclimatize. Start with a colour that is texture or has a strong gray undertone to help alleviate the brightness. NARS “Diamond Life” is a metallic lavender that looks ivory in some lights. Eventually you’ll build your way to Essie’s “Aruba Blue”, an eye-catching sapphire. If you can’t get used to a handful of brights, try painting your ring finger with a bright colour as an accent nail.
When you choose a brightly coloured polish, try to find one that reaches opacity within two or three coats. Since there is such a high level of pigment in the polish, the formula tends to dry out more easily and become extremely clumpy on the nail and in the bottle.
Don’t forget, nail polish is an accessory as much as a ring or a bracelet is – don’t be afraid to take risks.
