The Style Files: Nails

Nails are the ultimate accessory they're just as important as your hair, your makeup, your bag shoes and jewels for putting together a coordinated look.

Like most women I know I’m religious about my mani’s and pedi’s and for centuries before us women have been too. In 3000 BC, the Chinese were combining egg white, gelatin, gum arabic, and beeswax to create natural lacquers, varnishes and enamels for the royal manicures and Egyptians were using extracts from the henna plant to color their hair and stain their nails.

In Egypt, those not in the royal fold always monitored the color worn by royalty; Nefertiti, Egypt's queen in 14th Century BC, could have their hands cut off and they could be thrown in the Nile if they painted their nails the same color as her. Ruby red was the queen's colour of choice, and she commanded her ladies-in-waiting to wear nothing darker than pink. Egypt's Queen Cleopatra's color choice in 40 BC was a deep red.

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance continued to see shades of red being used. But years later, during the reign of Queen Victoria, painted nails became a symbol of the fallen woman. Nail polish took on a racy image until Hollywood's early stars painted their finger nails and shortly after many women began to copy them. Like Queen Cleopatra I’ve always had a penchant for deep red nails. Ever since I put my name down on a waiting list for  Chanel’s Rouge Noir in 1995 it’s been my go to shade, the brands may have varied but the hue never did.
Much to my chagrin nails for SS 14 have taken a new direction (mostly) and are as neutral and as classic as they have ever been. (Thankfully they’re short, I’m not a fan of long nails and find long toenails deeply disturbing).

There’s no denying the trend for nude nails as they’ve featured in countless shows and have been sported by celebs and models both on and off the runway. The pretty, pale, barely there hues of nude and pink are most popular. There’s a sheer quality that keeps the look clean, fresh and super subtle. Victoria Beckham, Christian Siriano, Donna Karan and Elie Tahari all chose to stick with pale pink and nearly nude polishes.

In stark contrast to the bold, dense colours of the last few seasons the SS14 look is is fresh and neutral with the emphasis on healthy, groomed nails as opposed to eye-popping colour. The beauty of this trend  is that it goes with everything and suits everyone. Let you inner sophisticate out this season with the nude, barely there nail.

Pictures courtesy The Daily Mail