Out of the blue
If you think blue nail polish is only for high schoolers, think again. With a following that includes Eva Mendes, Mena Suvari and Jessica Simpson, the unexpectedly cool color is the latest in fingertip chic.
Inky blue shades began appearing this fall as a sophisticated alternative to the now ubiquitous, goth-leaning black polish. During the holidays, metallic blue hues such as Chanel’s Blue Satin ($18) and drugstore favorite Wet N Wild’s Blue Sapphire (.99), replaced predictable red on the trendiest talons. But for the warmer months, blue polish is lightening up.
On the spring runways in New York last September, manicurists from Creative Nail Design used the frosty blue Turquoise Tint for Chris Han’s show and custom-mixed tones of light blue for models at Karen Walker and Charlotte Ronson. In a recent GQ photo spread, Rihanna sported a robin’s-egg blue polish on her nails that threatened to pull focus from her skimpy gold Tomas Meier swimsuit.
Sky, the Hard Candy shade made famous in 1995 when Alicia Silverstone name dropped it on “Late Night With David Letterman,” is also back on the market. But nostalgic fans hoping to score a bottle -- complete with matching plastic ring -- may have to do a bit of digging. Sephora, the line’s exclusive purveyor, is sold out of the $7 color on its website. A similar shade, For Audrey by China Glaze ($6.50), nearly matches a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box.
Or for less of an Easter egg-dipped look, you might try St. Barth’s Blue by Essie ($7). With just a hint of color, it’s a good introduction to the trend for those who aren’t quite ready to relive their teenage years.
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