Nail Art
What started as a part of my beauty routine has become an extension of my love for fashion and I look forward to every couple weeks. Yup, you guessed it, nail art!
I go to the amazing Natalie at Natalie Beaute on Sherbrooke Street. Find her IG right here and check out her creativity! She is the mastermind behind all the nail art you see below.
I remember the days when it was just a one-colour look or the fanciest of fancies: French manicure. But out are the days of simple, square and monochrome. Now it’s all about self-expression, having fun and leveraging that tiny real estate at the tip of your fingers as a fashionable accessory.
I’ve had a lot of fun playing around with colour and shape the past couple years. There are some incredible nail technicians in this city. I no longer have to choose one colour out of the thousands and I always find a fun way to switch things up – if it’s in length or with a cute print or pattern on one (or all) of my nails.
Recently, I’ve been playing with a modern take on French. Either slanting the top line or mixing up the colour. I love how simple it is to turn something classic into something of a conversation piece. Either matching my one big outfit planned for the week, like an event (yup, we are having events again!) or a photo shoot, but trying to still find a way to make whatever nail choice I’ve made match everything else without standing out in some odd way.
Quick fact: I remember when I was younger and square nails were not only trendy, but basically gospel. Now, you’ll see round, almond, pointy, what have you and they all look incredible, because the choice is based more on what looks best on your hands and fingers. Remember, your nails elongate your hands and so stubbing them off with a block nail might work for functional purposes, but might not be working for you, if you know what I mean!?
My go-to for choosing what’s next with my nails? The experts. Leave it to them, because they always know what’s what. Whether it’s gel, shellac or powder, flowers, stripes or French, square, pointy, or rounded, nail technicians know where it’s at.
Photography by Patricia Brochu