Love the look of neon nails, but not sure your talons can take the trend? We asked Creative Nail Design co-founder, Jan Arnold, the rules of fluro-finger fashion.
How do you make neons wearable?
Use neon colours on nails as the one outstanding accessory in your outfit. The most classic way to wear neon is with white. When you wear white clothes, you often find yourself wondering what to do in order to avoid the "nurse Nancy" look ... neon nails are the perfect answer!
How do you coordinate your fingers and toes?
If you're carefree and along for the ride, I'd play two different colours that clash (such as purple on fingers and orange on toes). Why not?! Or for the neon virgins, try one extremity at a time, for example, use neon orange on fingernails and then go totally nude on toes. And I mean nude as in solid cream beige that matches your skin tone.
How do you coordinate your outfits?
Use neon to accent, contrast and accessorise! CND worked with Marc Jacobs to accessorise his Spring/Summer 2008 runway show for Louis Vuitton with neon blue and orange nails to match not only the high-contrast coloured lips, but also the detailing in the patterns on the bags and other accessories.
How do you match neon polish with your skin tone?
Wearing neon has nothing to do with skin tone — it has to do with attitude!
How do you make neons look modern?
Nails should be beautifully shaped, meticulously manicured and on the shorter side. I love a rounded square shape in a trim length. Lay down a base of Stickey (it acts like double-sided sticky tape) and then two coats of colour (try CND's Hot Pop colours in yellow, blue, orange and pink) and be sure to use a thick, protective high-shine top coat to polish it off!
How has the neon trend evolved?
Neon has moved from rebel punk of the 1980s to the modern SATC fashions of now girls who wear painterly floral skirts belted at the waist, a statement shoe with vintage references (eg: metallic piping), and an oversized clutch or slouchy satchel held onto by well-manicured neon pink nails.
