That adage – “If you see a bandwagon, it’s too late” – points to the nail scene right now. Ask what colours are hot for winter and you’ll hear wines, blacks, deep dark blues and, at a push, forest greens. Because that’s what the majority are wearing. But look beyond that bandwagon and you’ll spot the nails way ahead are pink, primrose and baby blue.
Or lilac – The Chain’s Phoebe Collings-James photographed herself wearing that pretty shade on her toes. At the recent relaunch of Vogue, Deborah Ababio, right-hand woman to new editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, wore a pale pinky-lilac shade on pointy manicured finger nails (take note, this is the shape of the season). Meanwhile perfume designer Azzi Glasser is rarely seen without a pale yellow varnish – Smith and Cult do a great shade called The Bee Side.
“Pastel nails are actually a great way to lift and update your look when the dark nights set in,” says WAH Nails and Beautystack founder Sharmadean Reid, the woman who took nail art mainstream. Sherrille Riley, founder of the chic Mayfair salon Nails & Brows, agrees: “Pastel shades are brilliant in the winter as they bring a dash of colour to grey winter days and dark clothing. Along with greys, pastels are currently our most requested colours.”
The trend is proving popular among celebs too. Margaret Dabbs, podiatrist to the stars, says her top clients are currently picking pastels. “Some of our most popular colours right now include sweet pea, pink blossom, lilac and snowdrop,” she says.
The trick, says Riley, is choosing the right shade. “Lighter skin tones work well with grey pastels and pale mink because [those colours] neutralise the pink undertones on knuckles. Darker skin tones can wear a wider selection of pastel colours, but the most flattering are delicate greys and soft blues, which have a neutralising effect on the darker pigments found on knuckles.”
It might feel strange to ignore years of being told that winter nails should be deep dark and moody in tone. But matte pinks, two-tone pastels and pastel-tipped French manicures are going to be big news next season. You’re just ahead of the game. Bye-bye bandwagon.
