3 Must-Have Manicures

By Instyle
Updated Feb 27, 2015 @ 11:32 am
Brian Henn

3 Must-Have Manicures

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Mixed Metals Manicure

Michaela Rossato

A smattering of gold and silver over gunmetal is equal parts grit and glamour. And getting the look is much easier than you think-trust us!

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Get the Look

Brian Henn

STEP 1

Lacquer nails with two coats of gunmetal (at left: CND Enamel in Hyde in the Dark). Allow at least five minutes for the polish to dry.

STEP 2 Sweep nail adhesive (at left: Kami Nail Foil adhesive) over the polish. It will change from white to clear matte when dry.

STEP 3 Place a strip of gold foil-shiny side facing down-(at left: Kami Metallic gold and silver foil) over your nail, tap three to four times with your fingertip to deposit the pigment, then peel off. Repeat with the silver foil.

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Moon Manicure

Michaela Rossato

The original "moon manicure" first showed up on screen stars back in the '20s. In graphic black-and-white, the two-tone paint job is bolder than ever.

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Get the Look

Brian Henn

STEP 1

Apply one coat of opaque white (at left: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail color in Whirlwind White) over the entire nail and wait for the polish to dry completely.

STEP 2 Using a semicircular French-manicure stencil sticker (at left: Orly French Manicure Tip Guides), block off the bottom third of your nail.

STEP 3 Paint two coats of black (at left: Essie nail polish in Licorice) from the stencil to the tip of the nail. Once it dries, peel off the sticker and finish with a shine-enhancing top coat over the entire nail.

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Ombre Manicure

Michaela Rossato

Subtle shade-shifting gives hands a cool and pretty effect. The best part? All you need are two shades to create your own custom ombre sensation.

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Get the Look

Brian Henn

STEP 1

Gather your materials: a deep purple polish (try OPI nail lacquer in Give Me Moor), a creamy white polish (like OPI nail lacquer in Alpine Snow), five clean pots (or disposable plates), and toothpicks to mix.

STEP 2 Pour out four dime-size blobs of the dark purple, and add small increments of white to each one, creating a gradation of hues.

STEP 3 Beginning with the original shade on your pinkie, paint each nail a different color.

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