We've got good news for the nail-obsessed crew: splashy colors and bold, funky nail art is officially back, and we've got some major inspiration for you from the NYFW spring/summer 2020 runways. From graphic negative space at Ulla Johnson with Paintbox, to metal adornments a la JINSoon at Tibi, to 90s Saved by the Bell look from Essie at Jeremy Scott, there's no shortage of fun looks to try in the upcoming weeks and months.
Image courtesy of Kiss
"What Christian and I wanted to do was something painterly, something with texture, and something kind of futuristic," says Julie Kandale, key nail artist for Essie. "We did a French tip with the Turquoise & Caicos, which is a mint green you'll see a lot in the collection, and then we wanted to do two coats of Essie's Set in Stones, which is a silver glitter that we made sure to not apply over the green. From far away the look really does read futuristic, and it's really wearable."
Image courtesy of Essie
Gina Edwards, lead manicurist for Kiss, didn't hold back for the Rebecca Minkoff show, which was inspired by "the modern working woman." There was plaid, zebra stripes, and a graphic black-on-gold design, but our hearts pitter-pattered for the chic leopard print on marble nails. To create the look, pick up a package of the Kiss Masterpiece Nails in Kitty Gurl and use a striper brush to create your leopard spots by drawing strategic C-shapes with Kiss Nail Art Paint in Black. Complete the look with Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails in Bookworm.
Image courtesy of Kiss
We're really digging the minimalist nail art created by Paintbox's creative director, Mabelyn Martin, for Ulla Johnson.
"I feel like the negative space exposes the nail in a really sexy way while also incorporating a bit of rich color. The curvy outline of the nail is feminine and edgy at the same time, just like the designer's collection," she says.
To recreate, Martin says to use a small striper brush — which you can pick up on the cheap at Amazon — to create a J-shape along the edge of your nail, then use a clean brush with nail polish remover to straighten the edges. Once dry, top it with a clear coat. The two colors used at the show were Like Spice (terracotta) and Like Wild (mossy green).
Image courtesy of Paintbox
You could argue that Jeremy Scott put up one of the most fun runway looks of the SS2020 season, and the nails were especially noteworthy. Reigns were thrown to the wind with this manicure, which was inspired by Saved by the Bell and Jem and the Holograms. Miss Pop for Essie created the look using a mix of squiggles, triangles, lines, splotches, and dots in the following hues: In The Cab-ana (teal), Mod Square (hot pink), Hay There (yellow), No Place Like Chrome (silver), Butler Please (blue), and Licorice (black).
Image via Imaxtree