In the grand scheme of new beauty-product releases, nail polish is, undoubtedly, the most overwhelming. The top brands flood the market with several launches every season. This deluge makes it hard to keep track of all the newbies — even for beauty editors! This is why we called on some extra help to guide us in our pursuit of the top colors for 2016.
So what's the latest in color trends? Celebrity and editorial nail artist Steph Stone gave us the lowdown. Her portfolio features a who's who of Hollywood: Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Rooney Mara, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley — you get it. To boot, she's done tons of campaigns, editorials, and magazine covers.
Ahead, Stone walks us through the seven biggest nail-color trends to rock right now. Plus, check out her tips on the nail lengths and shapes that best complement each hue, and her favorite polish picks.
One coat of Essie's Starry Starry Night is a slightly sheer, vibrant blue, but two coats feel deep and moody. However, you have to hurry: The brand has re-released this shade from the vaults (it made its debut in 1985!) for a limited time.
Essie Nail Polish in Starry Starry Night, $8.50, available at Beauty.com.
Warm, Opaque Beige
Forget sheer nudes and girlie pale pinks — this year is all about the sexy, creamy '70s beige. It should be totally opaque, warm in tone, and shiny. Stone calls on Cork from her agency's new line, Nailing Hollywood. "It's a universally complementary shade for most skin tones," she says.
How To Wear It: "I recommend wearing this color on trim, natural-shaped nails," Stone says.
Nailing Hollywood Nail Polish in Cork, $9.99, available at Beauty.com.
China Glaze's new Ever Glaze formula is somewhere between a polish and a gel — it goes on like a traditional lacquer, but wears for much longer. We suggest giving it a go in Beach Beige.
China Glaze Ever Glaze Extended Wear Polish in Beach Beige, $4.45, available at Spring Nail Supply.
MAC's new Sweet Potion is a play on the trend, but with a touch of peach, making it the perfect compromise for anyone who wants to try '70s nails, but finds beige a bit intimidating.
MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Sweet Potion, $12, available at MAC.
Charcoal Gray
It's deep, moody, and thoroughly modern — we're predicting that this hue will be huge this winter, in part thanks to Stone. "I have been using this type of gray a ton on set for so many different campaigns and lookbooks due to launch in winter," she tells us. "If you want to mix it up after feeling tired of beige, nude nails, yet still want to keep it neutral, grays are a super on-trend option for you." She favors the cool tone of Formula X's Gray Matter.
How To Wear It: Dark gray wears beautifully on rounded nails, Stone says.
Formula X Nail Polish in Gray Matter, $10.50, available at Sephora.
Classic Apple Red
Amid all the trendy nail art and interesting shades we're seeing on the runway and red carpet, a bevy of brands have released new takes on an old classic for winter. "A classic red is always going to be a nail-color staple, no matter what season we're in," Stone says. Her favorite is Fever, which she calls "the perfect red for winter because it wears vibrant, while still remaining subdued because of its blue undertones."
How To Wear It: This shade of red will look great no matter your nail length, Stone says. "[It] will wear chic and professional on short, natural-shaped nails, or it can feel sexy and playful if you paint it on longer, almond-shaped nails!"
Nailing Hollywood Nail Polish in Fever, $9.99, available at Beauty.com.
It's hard to compete with OPI's classic Big Apple Red (the ultimate foolproof hue), but we love the brand's new shade Amore At the Grand Canal just as much. It's a touch closer to cranberry than a classic blue-based red, making it a bit brighter.
OPI Nail Polish in Amore At the Grand Canal, $8.50, available at OPI.
Olivia Palermo is known for her impeccable nails, which makes her new polish line for Ciaté the perfect partnership. Snatch up this classic shade while you can — it's limited-edition — and wear it on short, square nails just like she does.
Ciaté London Olivia Palermo x Ciaté London Nail Collection in Hutch, $24, available at Sephora.
Even Burberry introduced a new apple-red this year. Its new limited-edition shade is the perfect classic option to last through the year: It's bright, glossy, and flatters every skin tone.
Burberry Nail Polish in Military Red No. 300, $22, available at Sephora.
Orly's Mirrorball is like a disco ball on your nails thanks to the baby-fine glitter — which makes it fun, but far from juvenile.
Orly Nail Polish in Mirrorball, $8.50, available at Orly.
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