New Tips And Triks For You

The street style approved eclipse moon manicure is back on 2014 runways. Models wore one of three new Ruffian metallic polishes: Ambrosia, a pinky rose, Rosary, a deep copper, or Relic, a cool taupe, with a flat black moon at the nail bed. To change things up, the moons almost covered the base of each nail, and models wore a different size depending on their nail color. These colors will be available exclusively through Birchbox.

To make this look quick and easy, you'll need round nail stickers. Ruffian has made their own that are packaged in a chic little matchbook and made with special glue that won't stick to the nail, great if you're impatient and ignore my later instrux to let your nails dry completely. If you can't wait for the stickers, pop over to the drug store for a pack of binder reinforcement labels.

File nails into a squared off shape. The contrast between a square tip and rounded moon is what makes this look so fresh and modern.

Apply a base coat. Ruffian metallics go on flawlessly, but I still like a base coat to even out rough nails. I've been using Sally Hansen Maximum Shield since the great acrylic experiment.

Apply the metallic lacquer. You can get full coverage with one coat, but I went with two since my nails aren't currently in model shape. Let dry completely. Don't be like me. The longer they dry, the neater they will look.

Select your stickers and place the outer circle across the base of each nail. Press firmly so there are no gaps for nail polish to seep through. Note that there are lots of different ways to use circular nail stickers. I played around with these quite a bit, and using the outer ring gave me the neatest look. This oddball method is helpful if you want a lighter color on your entire nail and a darker color as the accent.

Fill in the gap with black polish.

When dry, carefully peel away the stickers.

I also created an accent nail by filling in the thumb and ring finger crescents with L'Oreal Color Riche Nail Color in Rough Around the Edges, a charcoal grey glitter polish.

For the best finish on the metallic polish, Ruffian's Director of Manicurial Arts Cheryl Natoli (that is her official title, and I am quite jealous) recommends skipping a top coat. However, with a home mani, I found that a swipe of top coat softened the line and looked more seamless.