Going nude with your manicure in a season of decadence may seem plain or boring, but think of a nude manicure as the minimalist version of the French, or as the universally flattering nude stiletto pump…but for your fingers. It’s nude, not naked. That means it’s an opaque hue that matches your skin instead of simple clear varnish, and it does the same that flesh-toned footwear does for your gams; it elongates them, making them appear slimmer and quintessentially feminine. The best part about them, and why they’re our new obsession, is that they go with absolutely every outfit you could possibly conjure and won’t chip as easily as a bold or pigmented color would.
Sometimes finding the right shade or match for your complexion can be the only discouraging part, especially if you have a darker skin tone.
I love Butter London’s Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat for fair skin tones to achieve ‘invisible’, but immaculate nails like the minimalist manis seen at Altuzarra. To add more pigment smooth a layer of RBG in Buff or Passive Aggressive by Sephora’s The New Neutrals line. I love these two shades because polishes with slightly pink or peach undertones work great with fair complexions.
Just like when picking out a foundation you want to make sure the undertones of your lacquer match the undertones in your skin for a flawless finish. For medium skin with golden or olive undertones I recommend OPI’s San-tantonio. And for cooler complexions I’m obsessed with Sheer Nude or Creme Brulee by Revlon.
For darker skin tones Deborah Lippmann’s No More Drama is a great golden neutral shade that will compliment the red or cinnamon undertones in your complexion. SpaRitual’s nail lacquer in Back to Your Roots, a shade with yellow undertones, are also some of my favorites for my brown-skinned ladies.
*FLT: If you want a matte finish to your nails so that they blend right in with your skin, try drying them with steam. A boiling pot of water works fine.*
Love,
Your Fast Lane Girl, Danielle
Photo credit: thecocochanellook.wordpress.com
