The Chinese zodiac calendar may say we're in the Year of the Dragon ... but we're
actually in the Year of the Nail Polish. According to market research, nail polish sales are up a jaw-dropping 70 percent this year -- and I'm not complaining. When it comes to all things polish, I can't get enough.
So naturally, I'm super excited for all the new fall 2012 nail polish colors. With a boatload of shades to choose from, I reached out to celebrity makeup artists to narrow things down and get their top picks for the hottest new shades of the season. What separates the good from the gorgeous? "A great fall nail polish will stand out, but still blend effortlessly into your wardrobe," says celebrity makeup artist Marissa Nemes.
From deep wine reds to stormy metallic grays, there's a little something for everyone on the list. Even just the
names of these nail polishes ("Gobsmacked," "Suspicious," "Miss Fancy Pants") has me itching to try 'em all ... the only tough part will be choosing which one to wear first.
Glittery Charcoal
The Shade: Butter London in Gobsmacked, £9
Why It's Hot: I love the sound of this name, 'Gobsmacked,' and its shade is equally fabulous. Metallic polishes are going to be huge for fall, especially this is sexy, sparkly, asphalt color.
Burnt Orange
The Shade: OPI in Deutsch You Want Me Baby, £11
Why It's Hot: This fiery orange is such a quintessential fall color. It reminds me of leaves changing and carving pumpkins.
Bright Magenta
The Shade: Pop Beauty in Magenta Muse, £6.50
Why It's Hot: It's a shimmery, magenta shade that is the ultimate glam girl color. It reminds me of Kim Kardashian -- hair done, makeup done ... all done up.
Navy Blue
The Shade: OPI in Unfor-greta-bly Blue, £11
Why It's Hot: This is a very dark navy blue that looks like the ocean at night. But it has some shimmer to it, so the color really pops against every type of skin tone.
Light Mauve
The Shade: Essie in Miss Fancy Pants, £7.50
Why It's Hot: This pretty shade is mauve-ish ... not quite lavender, but getting there. It's edgy with a soft innocence. Like McQueen meets Vera Wang.
Sparkly Sage Green
The Shade: Butter London in Trustafarian, £12
Why It's Hot: This is a brilliant blend of holographic gold and sage green. The artist in me loves its subtle edge, and the beauty expert in me loves the sophisticated balance it creates.
Creamy Gray
The Shade: Julep in Annette, £7
Why It's Hot: I'm obsessed with this creamy dove gray color. It's a great seasonal transition shade -- neutral, but completely chic.
Deep Wine Red
The Shade: Chanel in Suspicious, £17.50
Why It's Hot: This powerful shade of deep magenta will compliment your fall wardrobe that's full of colors like black, gray, and plum. It looks so pretty when paired with rose gold jewelry.
Shimmery Lavender
The Shade: Essie in Nothing Else Metals, £5.95
Why It's Hot: You can still wear lavender even in the fall, and this shade has a gorgeous metallic sheen. It brings out the little girl in me
Caramel Brown
The Shade: Sheswai Lacquer in Rootsy, £12
Why It's Hot: This is a really unusual, beautiful shade of caramel. It reminds me of toasted pumpkin seeds.
Eggplant Purple
The Shade: Tom Ford in Dominatrix, £25
Why It's Hot: A bold jewel tone looks fantastic for fall. I love this purple-y eggplant color ... so pretty, and very royal.
Forest Green
The Shade: Zoya in Noot, £10.50
Why It's Hot: This forest-y shade is a rich, deep green with just the right amount of gray. It goes on very opaque and paints like a dream.
Granite Gray
The Shade: OPI in Nein! Nein! Nein! OK, Fine, £11
Why It's Hot: This is a flat, dark granite that has a hint of forest green after you put on the second coat. It's a rich, deep color, but it's not too dark or vampy, so it still falls into that neutral, 'goes-with-everything' category.
This is a great selection of autumn/winter nail polishes or as American's say 'Fall', which is actually quite apt as the leaves start falling in autumn. I love this time of year and think that nail polish should celebrate the beauty of the season.
xoxo,
Angelique
