Each year, we await the trends that will show on the runways of New York Fashion Week. Creative Director of Pretty Woman USA, Aija Vilemsonne, offers her take on the forecasted nail trends for Fashion Week 2011, and gives advice on what skin tones look best with what colors, so that you can make an impact while keeping up with fashion’s elite.
A Note on Skin Tone
Knowing your skin tone is essential to maximizing your look, from clothing to makeup. Most of us are familiar with the old adage that skin tone can be defined in terms of seasons. Here, Aija provides a quick refresher course for determining your skin tone:
- Winter skin tones range from pale, to olive, to dark. Undertones are typically blue or pink, with dark eyes and hair.
- Spring complexions are pale, with pinkish or bluish undertones. Spring skin tones are often blondes, or brunettes with light eyes.
- Autumn skin tones have golden undertones. Most women who have autumn skin are red-heads or brunettes with brown eyes.
- Summer complexions have golden undertones, with peachy skin. It’s common to see straw-colored or red hair with light eyes.
Top Trends:
Still Got the Blues
As more and more celebrities show off their “blue crushes” with everything from navy to sky blue, and fashion’s top designers crank out denim-themed collections, it’s become apparent to the beauty world that these hues are full steam ahead for fall. Aija cautions, “Choosing the right blue for your skin tone can be tricky; not every blue is flattering for every individual.”
- Winter: Go for high-impact colors like a deep navy or an icy-tinged pastel for the most flattering look.
- Spring: Stick to something defined like bright navy or a light whitish-blue to help make nails more striking.
- Autumn: With golden undertones, blue isn’t your most flattering color. Understated is the name of the game.
- Summer: Go with a soft blue pastel for maximum impact against your peachy skin. Go bold: you can afford it.
Shine On
Fall metallics have hit the stores with a vengeance. It’s become clear that it doesn’t really matter which shade you decide on, because if it’s metallic, it’s in. In that case, Aija suggests taking advantage of the fact that this trend is colorless: “You can customize the trend to work for you.”
- Winter: This is your chance to go bright! Whether an orange-red or shocking pink, take the plunge.
- Spring: Avoid dark colors and embrace something soft in the lavender or rose-brown category.
- Autumn: Go with gold or a color that has golden flecks. Orange and brown work best.
- Summer: From lavender to plum, the purple family is the way to go to maximize your look.
Go Nude
Nude nails can be difficult. Finding the right hue can be challenging, and though you’ll generally reach for a color that’s closest to your skin tone, even if something seems perfect, it might clash with your skin once it’s applied. Aija explains, “Here, you should focus on your own undertones and those of the color you choose.”
- Winter: Subdued tones are not your most flattering, but sticking close to your skin tone will help.
- Spring: Go with a camel or a peachy color. Also, zero in on the brown family to complement your complexion.
- Autumn: Golden undertones are the name of the game. Particularly, beige and camel will work well.
- Summer: No matter what shade you decide, stick true to your skin’s undertones. Go with a rose-tinged nude.
“The most important thing to remember about nails is to have fun with it. Make mistakes, test out new colors, and see what you think works best for you,” says Aija. After having read these tips, you’re already ahead of the pack!
For more tips on nail care and trends: www.prettywomanusa.com.
Related articles
- Different Seasons of Skin Tones (theweddingcompanysingapore.wordpress.com)
- Fashion Trends For Fall 2011 (beautyandfashiontech.com)
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The How to Work This Season’s Nail Color Trends by Elke Von Freudenberg [ Beauty Blog ], unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

