Following on from yesterday’s Best of Beauty round-up of 2012’s must-have mani products, I thought it high time we dip our nail polish brushes into one of the year’s biggest (and most enduring) beauty trends: nail art.

Officially you could say nail art burst onto the scene back during the A/W ’11 international catwalk shows, and with the likes of Rihanna, Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel following suit, it quickly became a mainstream phenomenon.

Who could forget Zooey’s fabulous tuxedo nails at the Golden Globes?

From teeny-tiny decals, half-moons, 3D textures and colour-blocked prints, no design has been left untested. Fortunately for us, the trend continued into the 2013 collections, which means we’ve got all the time in the world to master it. Well, until next season, anyway.

Here, I’ve rounded up my favourite trends from the year …

3D Textures

There’s no doubt about it that 3D-textured nails are both on-trend and rather fabulous. Meet Ciaté’s Caviar Manicure and Velvet Manicure, $36 each, Mecca Cometica, with celebrity fans including Blake Lively and Jessica Biel. While we’ve professed our love for Ciaté’s Caviar, the Velvet Manicure is equally as fabulous. It almost looks as though you’ve dipped your tips in a luxurious and rich berry fabric.

The French Manicure … it’s Baaack!

Chanel did it, so it’s safe to say that the French manicure is back – that is, on short, neat, square or squoval nails. No long, tapered acrylic variations, please. Or to play it up a little, opt for coloured variations on your tips – neon also plays up a dramatic contrast against a neutral base shade, as does black or taupe à la Jessica Alba.

Image: Courtesy of OPI

Sharp Shapes and Lines

One of the key trends we’ve seen emerge are strong, bold shapes and lines, like the bias-cut mani we spotted at Lauren Moffatt at NYFW. Not only is it easy to recreate, but remember that testing it out doesn’t have to break the budget. In fact, you’ll more than likely find the tools and props you’ll need just hanging about the house, including sticky-tape and toothpicks  For our how-to tutorial, click here.

Take Cue from Your Clothes

If there’s been one thing I’ve stressed throughout my nail art tutorials is that regardless of trends, one of the best places to draw inspiration for your nail art is from is your clothes and accessories. Or those we’re all coveting on the catwalk. Take, for example, Ashley Madekwe, who donned gold-studded nail art, or our DIY marble nail art, taking inspiration from a fabulous Zimmermann printed dress.

Tell me, Primpers, what were you favourite nail art trends from throughout the year?

Did you enjoy our nail art tutorials? Do you want us to keep doing them?

Which one will you be trying?

Do you think the nail art trend will continue next year?

Hayley x

Images: All images are Getty unless stated otherwise

Posted by: Hayley Bennett

Google Profile

Comments (23) Print Send to friend Share

Tags: best of beauty 2012, chanel, ciate, ciate caviar, ciate velvet, featured, french manicure, nail art, nails, zoey deshchanel