NAIL YOUR STYLE New mani-pedi trends transform nails into summer's hottest accessories

Special to Stylelist By Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

Think of your nails your most affordable accessories. With a bold coat of paint, a press-on, or even a gem-encrusted tip you can dress up casual summer styles, turn up the heat on snazzy summer ensembles or let your personality peek through at more conservative work environments.

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Give Your Manicure a New Passport

You can create incredible drama simply by changing the colors in a classic French Manicure or reversing the proportions of color so the pale tip is closer to your cuticle.

Nail technician Dana Caruso who painted reverse black and white French Manicures on the models for designer Tracy Reese's Fall '07 fashion show says it's fairly easy to recreate this style at home. Simply apply the base color, then sweep the top color in an arc once the base color is dry.

Try "Pat On the Black" and "All the White Stuff" from Sally Hansen's new Salon Nail Lacquer line if you want to attempt the reverse black and white French Manicure at home.

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Experiment with a Bold Pattern

For intricate designs like the one pictured here from a Spring/Summer '08 fashion show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. If you want to try this at home, keep it simple. Color your nails with a base coat then place a stencil over your nails -- a bandaid without the padding works great! -- and paint away.

Try your hand at a version of the style on the previous slide with Deborah Lippman Vinyl Nail Polish in "Make Me Love You." ($15)

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Try a Precious Metal

Metallics will add instant flash to any summer outfit. For added drama paint your press-ons or tips like these models did for Kimora Lee Simmons Fall '07 Baby Phat/KLS Collection presentation.

Go for the Bling

For over-the-top fun, ask your manicurist to decorate your hands with crystal-encrusted tips or nails airbrushed with tiny emblems or pictures.

Crystal-encrusted styles ain't cheap though. Creative Nail Design technician, Kristina Baune designed nails with gold badges, encrusted crystals, iron crosses and portraits for Baby Phat's Fall '07 fashion show and says individually adhering crystals or hand painting can take up to 70 hours and cost about $500 at the salon.

Go Feet First

If you're uneasy about having bright or blinging nails, start with your feet. Don't be afraid to go too dark or too bright. If you don't like it you can always take the color off or hide your toes in closed shoes.

But if you dare, there's nothing sexier than vamp red nails peeking through a killer open toe pump or sandal.

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