Manicures out of the box.

Just wanted to share two of my new favorite nail trends.  I found photos of the "V-Gap" manicure on Refinery29.  This is such an easy twist to achieve freehand! I love the look.  I think this looks best with dark shades for a vamp feel.

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The other look is the "Halfmoon Manicure" and it's something that ladies were doing as early as the 1930's (or earlier).  It's been said that a large moon (the lighter part at the base of your nail bed) signifies high class, or being very smart.  So women used to paint their nails leaving the moon visible, to show it off! I think this is a classy and vintage chic look.  

I love it with a dark shade on its own, leaving the moon bare, but it would also be fun to try two-tone.  Imagine a glittery gold shade underneath, with a dark navy shade on top! Or go even further and add nail art...

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I had a manicure yesterday, and was determined to try out this look. :) We head to the office supplies store next door to the salon and picked up some regular reinforcements to use as a mask.

Apply the base coat first, and let it dry completely.  Then place the reinforcements at the base of the nail, covering the natural moon of your nail.   Apply 2 coats of the desired shade, and then remove the reinforcements by gently peeling them off from the side.  Once the polish is dry, finish off with a coat of Top Coat, and voila!

(sorry for the poor quality photos, I haven't touched my DSLR in a while...)