I don’t know how orange became such a powerful shade, but dang, it pretty much compells a post whenever I see it. Here I’m wearing YSL Long-Lasting Nail Lacquer in #142 Ultra Orange and #137 Utopian Turquoise.
Utopian Turquoise is part of YSL’s summer 2011 collection, along with shimmery #138 Surreal Yellow. But of course, I’m under an orange spell. Don’t care that it’s so last-summer season.
Look, you can see Surreal Yellow lurking in the background here.
And this is Creative Nail Design Electric Orange, being applied by Tips Nail Bar technician Melissa on client Marissa McCabe. Love. OPI, you need to make Axxium shades like this, Essie Braziliant and YSL’s Ultra Orange — the sheer Y’all Come Back Ya Hear? is pretty, but high-pigment orange punch soak-off gel would be swoony.
Also, I’ve been mulling this new-again 40s shape for some time now (ovals worked the runway for Spring; check these pointy talons by Sophy Robson for Ungaro Fall/Winter 2011). Besides, years ago my nails were oval, although not as sharply peaked as these. I figure they’ll be able to handle pointy pretty well now, with their usual Axxium protective shield.
Are you ready to adopt this shape? And what summer nail polish shades are you crushing on?
YSL Ultra Orange plus Utopian Turquoise mani by Leeanne Colley, Tips Nail Bar & Spa.
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Janine, I LOVE this… wow!
Love orange and blue – beautiful tropical hues!
Not a fan of the “talons” though and that’s the only word I can associate with this shape. It just screams high maintenance to me. I like a softly rounded shape like in the first pic or flat across. I feel like the shape of a nail should compliment the nail color, frame it so to speak but the sharp pointy shape is quite distracting imo.
That oval-talon shape is a real adjustment, isn’t it Lindsay? Hard to believe nails were ever shaped that way — but of course, that was the look for a while. I think we’ll be seeing it more and more as the shape becomes familiar. It’s the way things go. Don’t think everyone’ll embrace it, though. That’s what I like about beauty today — we have options.
I have to agree with the other Lindsay. I love the orange and turquoise combo.
A fellow polish-addict tried this nail shape, and I gotta say, it looked pretty hot. I’m not sure it’s for me, since my nails are rarely that long. But with the right colour (and attitude), I’m into it.
I think I need to get my hands on Essie’s Braziliant. And then all will be well with the world.
On the right person, hot is right, Lindsay! Marissa’s long ovals in Electric Orange looked so amazing on her that I was snapping photos before I remembered to ask permission! They look right on her. I’ve been contemplating the shape change for a while; her nails sealed the deal for me.
Braziliant, of course! After spotting your comment, I had to go back and add it to the post text. *grin*
Couldn’t help but notice— and fall in love with— the fact that Marissa’s nail shape echos the shape of her stunning sparkly ring. Cool!
You’re right, Jen! Plus she’s got those long, slender fingers — the look really suits her.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the orange. The shape is a bit extreme. Too pointy, makes my eyes hurt just looking at them. Even a gentle oval just doesn’t work for me. Filing the sides/edges of nails weakens them. Whenever I go oval, my nails break like crazy. I do the *yawn* squoval to keep optimum strength.
Squoval. Totes using that word.
I hear you on the weakening re: shape, Jane. Honestly, my obsession with Axxium is part of my attraction to the long oval — Axxium is so strong that it should help my nails stand up to that shape. I also like the length it adds to the fingers. Not sure I’ll go quite so pointy, but I’m definitely ready for length!
If you like orange, try CND Shellac in Tropix — a bright coral. Perf for summer!
Oooh, will have to look that up! Thanks for the tip, Julia!
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! I love orange nails too!!! it’s so pretty! :) As for me, I prefer the square shape on my nails!
I’m going to need a 12-step program to ease up on orange, I think, Issa! After all, my wordmark, “Beautygeeks,” has always been orange… my love of the colour has been lurking for years!
Pretty sure the pointy oval nails are artificial, so no worries about them breaking….natural nails would not do well in that shape, overfiling the sidewalls is definitely not something you want to do. Love both the colour and the shape :)
They’re false for the fashion shows, such as the Ungaro show by Sophy Robson, but I’m fairly certain Marissa nails are her own… I have to check with Melissa! And if it weren’t for Axxium, there’s no way I’d attempt the shape, that’s for sure.
You’re right Janine! Marissa’s nails are au naturel!!!! Marissa has been sporting that shape for about a month now with absolutely no casualties!! However, lil miss nail glue tube is her best friend. If she gets a crack or it seems like a nail is going break, she quickly applies nail glue and voila! Marissa also comes for regular manicures which really helps with keeping them in great shape. Just goes to show, regular visits to your manicurist really does make a difference!
butter LONDON’s Jaffa is another fab orange/coral shade! SO glad everyone’s breaking out from the nudes, blacks and blues for the summer!
Great post! You totally have me under the orange spell too!
I LOVE that nail shape–definitely my ideal nail shape, but I find it hard to wear certain colours when my nails are that long. (anything blue/green or shimmery looks like, as my sister dubs it, “wizard nails”.. hah) also, another reason to love Tips for life: every other manicurist I’ve been too is obsessed with filing down my ovals into squovals… not cool!
“Wizard nails?” Sounds perfect for the final Harry Potter opening weekend!! (And really, Tips is unique in the world of salons, right?? Amazing.)