Planning for holiday party season? The right nail colour has the power to pull a head-to-toe look together—or even make a simple black dress feel more festive.“We always look at fashion, hair and makeup, but more and more, nails are being considered,” says Toronto-based manicurist Sarah Alaina.
But first, you’ll want to plan for some proper DIY time, or book in with a pro. The heavy lifting of a long-lasting mani is secured in the prep stage, says Rita Remark, nail artist and Essie global ambassador. “You can’t skip steps,” she says. “You have to cleanse the nails with polish remover before applying any polish, and you’ve got to use a base coat and top coat with your colour.”