New Nail Colors for Fall

Monday, September 17, 2012

Donna Macdonald, GoLocalWorcester Beauty Contributor

Dark tones are rich and grown-up this season, form near-black to plum. Photo: Essie.

You have to be living under a rock to not notice how hot nail color is right now. Even Michelle Obama and Ann Romney got frenzied blog attention for the nails they sported at the national conventions (greige and clear red, respectively).

But here in the real world, when the weather waffles between summer and fall, you’re left baffled in front of your open closet. Make an early fall statement now with unusual from-the-dark-side nail color. Here’s how to nail it:

Black for grown-ups

Estée Lauder’s Black Iris is in limited edition so grab your bottle soon. It will give your nails all the sophisticated darkness you want without resembling the high school Goth guise that Mom hated. Instead, the violet twist keeps it from Twilight territory and gives a certain bold chicness you’ll want when pairing your summer jeans with the first long sleeve tee of the season. Estée Lauder is at Macy’s.

A green that rocks

You may have left green in the nail color crayon boxes of yore, but it has made a startling entrance in the form of Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Jade. It's amazingly wearable, refined and so right now. A dark deep emerald is what you’re after, never neon or pastel minty. You may have to wait another month to wear those great new leather boots, but this color says your feet are pointed in fall's direction as of this minute! Sally Hanson is sold at CVS.

Plum is hot

Yes, nippy fall air is still a week or two away, but you’re dying to wear that new purple wool boyfriend sweater NOW. Placate your need with regal plum nails. Essie's It's Genius is a dark and vampy plum that's rich enough to satisfy you until that sweater weather finally arrives.

Red stays classic

Ok, so you still love your traditional red nails. Then opaque it up with MAC's new Carine Roitfield Nail Lacquer in Underfire Red. This red's edgy and urbane and gives you a sophisticated you-know-what-you're-doing look to your transitional wardrobe choices. Named after Paris Vogue's former editor-in-chief, a woman who knew a thing or two about dark rich nail color and its transformative seasonal power. MAC is at Nordstrom.

Choose the color that says fall to you but before going to the dark side, make sure your nails are filed and trimmed. Dark polish is less forgiving than lighter colors and looks better on shorter nails - save the talons for that upcoming Halloween party. And of course, end your polishing session with a swipe of your favorite extra glossy topcoat. Now go check your closet again.

Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty. She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.

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