2011 Coolest and Best Nail Polish Trends

2011 Coolest and Best Nail Polish Trends

What do pastels, metallic grays, and sleek nudes have in common? They're all part of the gorgeous and utterly fresh 2011 nailpolish trends. Shades typically lighten up each spring, but instead of going sheer, this year's crop of pastels stays rich and creamy--think smooth purples, bright blues, and yummy peach-tinged pinks. Plus, the nude lacquers spotted at a plethora of spring shows (like Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, and Yigal Azrouel) are having their moment, and those looking for punched up hits of color won't be disappointed either: Bright, bold lacquers are making an appearance, and some optically intriguing shades of gun metal are popping up, too. So, get ready to totally transform your digits in 2011 with our ultimate guide to spring nail polishes—talk about a cheap thrill!



Above, from left: Karen Walker Spring 2011 image via CND; Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Naked, $16, available in mid-January at Deborah Lippmann; Essie Nail Polish in Sand Tropez, $8, available in February at Essie



1.Back to Nature Nudes—Nude-as-naked nails look refreshingly demure, yet provocative. Make sure your polish comes in a high-gloss formula so you don't end up looking like you have mannequin hands. Ends

2.The Blues Clues—whether it's Robin's Egg or Tiffany's Box, this pale blue shade has got "Spring" written all over it.

3- Peachy-Keen Pink—Need a polish that'll make your tan shine? This is it, ladies.





4. Lovely in Lavender—Purple nails are our secret weapon. Dusty purples, saturated lavenders, and shiny heliotropes look great with most skin tones.

5.Gun-Metal Grays—Don't forget about those metallics! Give your digits the full metal treatment with pearlescent polishes. The future is now!



6. The Can't-Miss Topcoats—Give your polish an extra edge with a striking top coat that cracks over your color; one that adds a slick, holographic shimmer; or one that adds a gilded layer of nude shimmer.