Back to (OPI Nail) School: What You Need in Your Nail Kit and Trends Ahead for S/S ’12-13

Mon, 23 July 2012 4:03PM

So as you have probably gathered since I landed at my seat here at PRIMPED, my beauty obsession is my nails. Similar to the feeling of breaking the seal on a brand new eyeshadow palette, or the tube of an untouched lipstick, the sight of a new nail polish or collection sends me weak at the knees.

And as for doing my own nails, or that of my friends and family, the experience can’t be beat. I actually find it quite therapeutic and relaxing, and I love seeing the transformation of what a shiny coat of polish can do to your hands.

So as you can imagine, walking into OPI’s Australian HQs to catch up with Karon McKendrick-Taylor, Director of Education for OPI, to talk all things nails was pretty much my idea of heaven. Especially when I spotted this as soon as I stepped inside.

Heaven, no?

While we went through countless nail art techniques – including my new love marbling – which we’ll be bringing you more of soon, most importantly Karon took me through the colours we all need in our nail kit. Plus, the new trends and designs we should be sporting for the upcoming spring/summer season.

Nail Forecast for S/S ’12-13

“This year we’re still going to be seeing a lot of block colour and contrasting block colours, along with soft and pretty pastel shades and vibrant metallics, which you would have seen during MBFWA ’12,” Karon says.

The news I loved most, Primpettes, was that, like in fashion, there are no set rules. There’s always a mix of colours and textures, from soft sheers to layering to the more solid and block colours. And fortunately for nail art lovers like me, Karon explains, nail art is here to stay for the season ahead. That includes the French manicure “but not necessarily in its traditional form.”

Carla Zampatti pre-MBFWA ’12

Originally the majority of beauty companies put off bringing out new colour collections Down Under as the Australian seasons are opposing to that of the rest of the world. But when it comes to nails, we all like the colours we like, all year round. As an example, Karon mentioned that OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacque (a soft taupe) came out with a runway show during the Paris A/W collections, bang smack in the middle of winter, and now we all wear it to the beach. The minute that colour came out, it was one everyone had to have, even though it was technically what is classified as a winter colour.

The 5 Must-Have Colours in Your Nail Kit

From L-R: Big Apple Red, Hot And Spicy. Lincoln Park After Dark, Shorts Story, Bubble Bath, $19.95 each, David Jones

When it comes to the colours you need in your kit that can double up as the perfect shades for nail art, too, here’s what you’ll need:

• Red. It’s the colour of passion and power, after all.
• Orange. Orange is everywhere at the moment, and this vibrant hue instantly adds a pop of punchy colour.
• Black or Off-Black. If you like to stick to your seasons, nothing beats a rich dark hue for your fingernails down to your toes.
• Pink. It’s fun, it’s flirty and it’s pretty. ‘Nuff said.
• Neutral. You know, your everyday office-appropriate shades that give you a subtle hint of colour and shine.

Top Nail Tips

• Don’t worry about getting your nails all looking exactly the same. It’s almost impossible since they all have a different shape, curve and contour.
• Draw inspiration from your every day life for your nail colours and designs. Patterns, clothing, travel and style can all be big influencers.
• Most of all anything goes. Whether you like patterns or colours that contrast, or you prefer to roll with the trends, your nails are a way to express your own sense of style.

The Basics of Nail Art

Karon says that if you can draw dots and dashes, you can do any type of nail art. Score! “The majority of it is made up of dots and dashes so when it comes to flowers, the dots make up the centre of the flowers, while your commas and dashes play the role of the leaves. But it’s all about getting the right amount of product of the brush – too much product means you won’t get an even effect,“ Karon explains.

Stay tuned for more nail art posts, Primpettes!

I don’t know about you all, but I’m excited about new nails for this spring/summer. You, too?

What are your five essential nail colours? Or your go-to shades?

Are there any nail art techniques or designs you would like to see on PRIMPED?

Hayley x

Posted by: Hayley Bennett

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Tags: karon mckendrick, nail art, nails, opi