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?