Between the skin care fridges and curated shelfies, beauty lovers may have also noticed more and more photos of mismatched nails taking over their Instagram explore pages lately. The nail art trend has earned many names, including the "paint chip [1]" manicure, which uses nail polishes [2] from the same colour family, and the "skittles [3]" manicure, which features an array of colours, allowing you to embrace your creativity (and indecision) even further.
Picking nail polish shades for this manicure from the sea of options available to you at your nail salon or your personal collection can prove overwhelming. If you have no idea where to start, we've enlisted the help of founder of New York-based salon Olive and June [4] and nail expert Sarah Gibson Tuttle [5]. Check out her tips, ahead.
Pick One Shade and Adjust Its Tone
Tuttle said that a simple way of curating colours for the skittles manicure is by starting with your favourite one. Then, pick shades two shades that are slightly darker and two that are lighter to create a gradient across one hand.
Look At Your Favourite Treats
Desserts have distinct colour combinations. (That is, after all, how the "Skittles" manicure first got its name.) Tuttle suggests taking inspiration from your favourite candy or sweet treat. "I love cookies and cream so my go-to mani right now is an ombre, which ranges from black to crisp white," she said.
Take Inspiration From Your Go-To Outfits
Tuttle suggests sifting through your wardrobe for inspiration. "Your go-to looks — like what you always wear to work or your favourite party outfit — likely include colours that you already really love together and make you feel your best so they are perfect for mani inspiration," she said. "For example, if you're a jeans and t-shirt girl, try choosing denim-inspired hues that range from dark to icy light blues and crisp white."
Look At the Wall of Nail Polishes at a Nail Salon
If you still have no idea where to begin, Tuttle explained how the wall of polishes at your local nail bar can help guide you. "Shades are usually grouped by colour family, so decide which one you're gravitating toward and pull from there," she said.