One of my favorite things about the advent of a new season is the deluge of nail trends that pop up before we’ve even begun to process the rest of the trends that marched down that season’s runways. I’m especially into anything that evokes fall/winter when it comes to nails. I have to admit that I don’t get all that excited over the airy light iterations of cream, pink, pastel, and candy colors that seem to come around every spring. I really look forward to fall’s moodier colors. Given the ridiculous weather around here (highs in the 50′s one week and 80+ the next), nail color is also one of the easiest ways to get into the season without forcing yourself to don a scarf just because it’s mid-October.
Perhaps the coolest and simultaneously most accessible nail trend is the “greige” nail. A greige polish strikes a balance between well, grey and beige tones. Maybe some would argue that only a few shades can be considered greige, but after reviewing a lot of the recent “collections” in nail color, I think I’ve decided that griege is more a color family nowadays than a term confined to a few specific colors.
Chanel’s Khaki Rose and Khaki Brun are two shades that take the military look and the ubiquitous neutrals seen on the F/W ’10 RTW runways to another level, in my opinion. Khaki Vert is the third color in this collection (especially designed to commemorate Fashion’s Night Out), but I’m inclined to think that it’s taking military to too literal of a level to have much wearability through the seasons. I applied le khaki rose to my toenails a while back, and after wearing it for a while, I realized that I’m pretty much in love with it. At first glance, I had to stop myself from wondering why my nails looked so muddy (I hear similar sentiments often from other women trying out a shade in the greige family). Eventually though, I loved seeing how my nails always looked “dressed” without making too strong a statement in the usual reds, blacks, navys, or brights.
From left to right, khaki rose, khaki vert, khaki brun
Dying to have this applied to my fingernails. I could give it a shot on my own, but I’d rather a professional handle it to ensure the best finish!
In keeping with the neutral/greige bender that I’m on lately, another shade I’m nuts over is butter LONDON’s “Yummy Mummy.” butter even claims on their website that “this medium beige colour is simply stunning on EVERY skin colour” (note the British English!). Having seen several ladies sporting this shade (myself included), I have to say they’re correct. A big selling point of butter’s is their “3 Free” campaign; their products are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (studies have shown these ingredients to be carcinogenic). Their polishes go for about $14 a pop, and $18 for their Flawless Basecoat and P.D.Quick-Dry Topcoat (but those are another post entirely). Just an FYI – Sephora by OPI and NARS polishes are also “three-free”!
butter LONDON's "Yummy Mummy"
Best news yet? “Yummy Mummy” and several other fabulous butter LONDON shades are available at the store where I work 
Lastly, I want to address my new favorite glitzier neutral, Sephora by OPI’s “Already Famous.” This polish provides a serious hit of shimmer, but the champagne tone allows it to transition easily from weekend into the workweek, unlike chunky glitter varieties or highly pigmented colors. Another bonus – the fine glitter means it’ll adhere to nails much longer! I rocked this shade with my anniversary ensemble (a dark dark burgundy crepe de chine dress w/a black sequin inset along the chest and taupe suede Steve Madden pumps) in order to glam up my nails without detracting from the dress. Wore it the rest of the week and received tons of compliments at work.
Sephora by OPI's "Already Famous"
Maybe I’ll post pics of future manis? Happy Mani/Pedi Time!
