Batty for Batik Print

Batik tribal patterns have hit the catwalks with major designers such as Burberry embracing the trend. This Indonesian print can make a really effective finishing touch to an outfit if you are reluctant to join the tribe with head to toe Batik.  

From left to right: Haute Hippy, Missoni, Antik Batik, Ralph Lauren Black Label, Tucker, Mara Hoffman, T-bags.

It is quite easy to translate this fierce tribal trend onto your nails.

Burberry

Step One: Paint your nails with a black base coat

Step Two: Select bright tribal colours that will stand out against the black. Choose primary shapes, circles and triangles, and arrange them in spiralling patterns.

Step Three: Pay homage to the Indonesian heritage of this trend and use the red and white colours of the Indonesian flag.

Newsprint Nails. Read All About It!

It’s a new year, so what better way to kick of 2012 than with newsworthy nails. If you aren’t as bold as to wear these newsprint dresses a la Twiggy and Sarah Jessica Parker, let your nails tell the story instead.

From left to right: Oscar de la Renta, worn by Sarah Jessica Parket SATC, John Galliano, Anna Sui

Make sure you are prepared before you begin. Take a newspaper and tear off small segments, large enough to cover your nail. Set these aside with a small amount of surgical spirit and you are ready to go.

Step one:

Start by painting your nails with a base coat colour. I decided to go for a light grey colour to tie in with the industrial, newsprint theme. However if you want something more attention grabbing, a lighter pearlescent colour will make the letters stand out more prominently, like a front page headline.

Step two: After letting the varnish fully dry quickly dip each finger in a small amount of surgical spirit to make the nail wet again. Immediately apply one of the newspaper strips to the nail and hold it down for about 30 seconds. When you remove the newspaper the words should have printed themselves on your nail.

Who says newspapers are going out of fashion?

Whip Up Fetish Inspired Nail Art

Whips and chains may excite Rihanna but most of us want to express our seductive side in a more subtle manner. With daring leather, PVC and cut out dresses gracing the runways recently, embrace the fetish trend this winter.

From left to right: L'Agence, Michael Kors, Hervé Léger, Stella McCartney, T by Alexander Wang and Ksubi.

It is difficult to look like the seductive temptress a la Kate Moss, most of us end up channelling Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman, so why not take a more subtle twist on this trend through fashion on your fingertips?

Step One: Black is key for this look so apply an all over base coat of midnight black.

Step Two: Alternate with metallic colours, remember this look is all about metal, chains and spikes.

Step Three: Get creative, focus on angular shapes such as lightning bolts, pointed stars or sharp edges.

Get Fruity with Berry Nails

This autumn say goodbye to summer brights and florals and embrace your dark side by sinking your teeth into the vampy, merlot trend. Dark purples, blackcurrant and burgundy are all over the catwalks with designers such as Victoria Beckham and Alexander Wang creating luxurious wine coloured dresses.

Left to right: Victoria Beckham, T by Alexander Wang, Roland Mouret, Alice + Olivia, Ralph Lauren Collection, Issa, Zac Posen and Stella McCartney.

It’s not only clothes using these dark berry colours, the celebs are all getting fruity with plum and blackberry coloured lips as well. Translate this trend to your nails with a dripping red wine manicure.

Step One:Get a dark red nail varnish and give your nails an all over base coat.

Step Two: Add a bit of mystery to your fingertips with this Revlon purple enamel glitter varnish.

Step 3: Why not combine this trend with another on season style and add a feather design.

Using a white nail pen draw the stem of the feather and half of the flicks coming off of it. Then take a silver nail pen and with quick strokes paint on the other side of the feather.



Dotty for Dalmatian Nails

Dalmatian print was spotted all over the catwalks at the A/W 11 shows, so in true Cruella style I’ve got my talons out and created these on trend  nail designs. Sometimes bold prints like these can be a little over powering so what better way to pay subtle homage to Ms Deville herself than with a manicure?

Designers such as Marc Jacobs and Topshop Unique have gone dotty for this print and now so can you. If you want the simple Dalmatian print, all you will need is a white nail varnish and black nail pen.

Step one: Base coat the nail with white polish.



Step two: Outline the Dalmatian print and fill in.

If this design is still a little too bold for you, opt for the iconic Cruella 50/50.

Step three (Optional): Add a little sparkle.

Show your dark side by adding diamante studs for a more glamorous twist on this barking mad design.