Nail Innovators

Nail Innovators
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Nail Innovators

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DIY nail art is having a moment, and we’re loving all of the new ways you can take a runway manicure to real life. From high-fashion velvet finishes to at-home Minx strips, we rounded up all of the hottest nail trends you have to try this season. Read on to see them all!
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Gel

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Looks like your manicurist has some serious competition! This starter kit by Red Carpet Manicure ($60; redcarpetmanicure.com) comes with everything you need to create a flawless gel mani at home-from the LED light to the shatter-proof top coat. And thanks to the included remover, you no longer have to book a salon appointment to make a color change.

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DIY Minx Nails

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The super-shiny nail toppers made famous by Katy Perry and Beyonce have finally launched an at-home version ($18; ulta.com for store locations). Use a hair dryer to warm up these strips and make them more pliable, and once you’ve secured them on your digits, give them another blast of heat to smooth out any wrinkles.
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Reverse French Manicure

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Your old-school French mani just got a high-fashion reboot. Switch up the tried-and-true pale hues for edgy metallics and vivid neons. We love Orly’s French Manicure Kit ($12; orlybeauty.com starting in September), which includes everything you need from base coat to finish, and Revlon’s Neon Nail Art ($8; drugstore.com starting in September).

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Magnetic Lacquers

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Magnetic nail polishes made serious waves when they hit the market last year, and we’re obsessed with the new fishnet patterns you can create with Nails Inc’s Wave Magnetic Polish ($9.50; sephora.com) and the deep jewel-toned Orly Magnetic FX lacquer ($15; orlybeauty.com starting in September).

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Sprinkle Top Coat

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These guilt-free polishes by Nails Inc. ($9.50 each; sephora.com) are loaded with matte glitter and dry to a crème finish to mimic their cupcake counterparts. Wear them alone, or layered over any pastel to sweeten the look.
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Caviar Nails

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Champagne wishes and caviar dreams are no longer restricted to rich and famous lifestyles. Ciate’s user-friendly kit ($25; sephora.com) comes with everything you need to deck your nails out in 3D pearls. Coat a standout nail in the tiny spheres, or concentrate the wet nail polish in areas before dipping into the caviar to create a fun pattern. Be sure to let the pearls set for at least 15 minutes to ensure minimal fallout.

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Newsprint

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The letterpress effect may look difficult, but is surprisingly easy to create with The New Black's kit. Simply layer on a nude base coat, and once it dries completely, apply the transfer solution and press the newspaper strip to the wet surface, the text side facing downward. After about 30 seconds, your design should be in place! Seal in the inky letters with the included top coat ($16 per set; nordstrom.com).

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Color-Changing Nail Polish

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Consider this a mood ring for your nails. The shimmery pewter lacquer ($12; shopcolorclub.com) transforms into a soft rose gold as soon as the sun hits your digits. Now that’s a double-duty manicure.
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One-Step Gel Manicure

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If the thought of layering on five different coats of gel polish seems too fussy for you, try out this one-step alternative from Haute Polish ($79 for the kit; hautepolish.com). The multiple steps are reduced down to a single bottle of lacquer, and just a few quick brush strokes leave your nails covered and chip-proof.

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Gold Leaf

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Fairy tales do come true! This 18-karat gold-infused top coat from Sephora by OPI ($8; sephora.com) applies the Midas touch to each of your nails. It’s so luxe, you’ll never want to take it off.

MORE: See our top makeup, hair and skincare picks of 2012 in InStyle's Best Beauty Buys list.

MORE: Try more nail trends in our Daily Beauty Tip.
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