The Hottest Nail Trends - Australian Fashion Week 2014

As you might already know, we spent last week at Australian Fashion Week (MBFWA) covering all most interesting beauty looks and fashion shows. we went backstage, sat front row and even interviewed some of the world’s most famous bloggers all for the sake of discovering the hottest makeup and nail trends of the season.

MBFWA revealed the main beauty trend of spring 2014 is barely there make-up, often paired with nude nails. We don’t know if Australian designers’ are fearful of drawing attention away from their clothes or they are just playing it safe but the majority of shows were very minimalist in terms of makeup and nails. Very different to what we’ve seen at New York and Londons’ Fashion Weeks where designers are eager to play with colours, textures and techniques. Remember, the famous ‘Frost Bitten’ nails at Thome Browne?!

By contrast, at Australian Fashion Week the focus was on flawless, glowing skin often with strong eyebrows, neutral eye shadows, maybe a touch of mascara and graphic eyeliner combined with nude glossy lips and plain nails. Although nude nails dominated we also saw dark navy nails at Alex Perry, black at Serpent and The Swan and white at By Johnny.

There were of course some colorful delights like NLP, We Are Handsome and Hayley Elsaesser shows where statement hair styles, bright make-up and nails enhanced the look. And, thanks to Aurelio Costarella and Alice McCall we had some beautiful shimmering looks at MBFWA this year too. At Aurelio Costarella models’ faces were contoured with crystals and nails painted with shimmering silver. At Alice McCall delicate pink duo chrome nails corresponded with one of the main colours of the collection – pink shimmer, that was also present in eye make-up too.

Now, let’s have a closer look at the most prominent beauty and nail trends…

1. 50 Shades of Beige

Bec & Bridge: A base coat of OPI Love Angle Music Baby, a satin gold matte shade was applied with a top coat of OPI Samoan Sand. PC: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Emma Mulholland: plain light pink/nude nails. PC: MBFWA.

Gail Sorronda: nude stiletto nails with black half moon or plain nude, CND. Learn how to get this look at home with our Upgraded French manicure tutorial. PC: Getty, Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Leroy Nguyen: custom made matte nude with light blue edges tips. PC: MBFWA.

2. Shimmering Business

Alice McCall: pink to grey duochrome nails in OPI Commit to Speak to match pink glitter eye make-up. PC: Laura Clarke/BeautyDirectory.

Aurelio Costarella: laced with crystals faces, a touch of colour on lips and silver nails, by James Molloy for M.A.C. PC: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

3. Black & White

Maticevski: OPI Alpine Snow with matte top coat and delicate black stickers. PC: MBFWA.

By Johnny: plain white tips in Essie Blanc, by Ali Magliveras for Essie. PC: Essie

Serpent and the Swan: Short black nails & sleek hair. PC: Dominic Loneragan.

4. Colour Me Bright

Hayley Elsaesser: custom painted fake nails inspired by the prints from the collection. Nails by Miss Betty Rose. PC: MBFWA.

NLP: 6 different looks to match makeup – bright blue, fuchsia, green, pink, orange and bright coral, all by Essie. PC: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

We Are Handsome: 60-s mod inspired makeup in bright hues and bright nails in red, coral and pink to match the look. PC: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

They were the most remarkable beauty looks of Australian Fashion Week. Personal favorites – Aurelio Costarella‘s silver glitter nails and crystal-lised faces and also white nails with delicate black stickers at Maticevski.

What about you guys, which look is your favorite?

– Maria, xx