5 of the Top Nail Trends for Autumn/Winter 2012

Ladies, did you know that your nails are the best accessory you have? Sure, a stunning clutch bag or a serious bit of bling around your neck can make your outfit look amazing, but if you fancy a more subtle bit of oomph, a coat of nail varnish always works.

This autumn/winter there are a lot of crazy over-the-top beauty trends when it comes to body parts like your eyes, lips and face (Chanel, we’re looking at you!), but nails are taking something of a subdued tone this season and we have to say, after the huge focus on loud nail art these past few months, we’re sort of loving the more relaxed feel for the colder months.

So what’s in beauty fashion when it comes to decorating your talons? Here are our top five nail trends for autumn/winter 2012 that you can start rocking right now. Nail files at the ready!

 

Chic and Effortless: Is there anything more chic and classic than a perfectly manicured nude nail? We don’t think so! The effortless manicure was all over the autumn/winter runway at Herve Leger and Victoria Beckham.

Think a simple squoval (that’s straight at the sides, round at the tops) shape and two thick layers of your favourite nude colour. The best thing about nude shades is that they make your fingers look long, ladylike and slender.

We love O.P.I’s nude Don’t Pretzel my Buttons for this look.

Deep, dark reds: As always, dark, vampy reds have returned for autumn/winter. What can we say about a rich red nail? It’s a beauty classic and it’s something that will never go out of style.

Seen on the catwalk at Jenny Packham, a deep red adds the perfect flash of colour to an otherwise all-black outfit.

We love Chanel’s Suspicious – a deep red that has the slightest hint of pink running through it. It’s dark, but with an added bit of va-va-voom.

Colourful Tips: Bored of getting the same-old French manicure? This autumn/winter you have a chance to spice it up a little bit. As always, the majority of your nail will be natural, but feel free to go crazy when it comes to painting the tips.

At the catwalk show for Donna Karen, models rocked a twist on the classic French mani by topping their talons with bright reds, pinks and blacks.

Why not be daring and try a really unexpected colour like O.P.I’s Don’t Talk Bach to Me?

Purple Rain: Purple is going to be a massive colour this season. Trust us, it will be everywhere – clothes, make up and nail varnish. Get on the trend early by buying yourself a deep purple that has hints of sparkle in it.

Seen on the catwalks at Rachel Roy, we love O.P.I’s Every Month is Oktoberfest.

Greige: It seems like even the beauty world is stealing some inspiration from E.L James’ novel Fifty Shades of Grey when it comes to autumn/winter 2012. Greige (a cross between grey and beige) is set to be one of the main go-to colours of the season.

It links into the chic and effortless trend – it’s not as plain as a simple nude colour, but it still looks just as classy and refined.

We love Essie’s Miss Fancy Pants - it's simple, cute and the name is just great!