Nail it with yellow

FORM an orderly queue, ladies: Mimosa, €21, right, Chanel’s latest lust-have lacquer goes on counter on May 20 and we predict the usual panic-buying.

As ever, it’s this luxury brand which sets the polish agenda and Mimosa is a brave new world: a primrose yellow with sophisticated micro-shimmer, it’s already proving divisive online. No matter which corner you’re in right now, consider this a heads-up, because you’ll be seeing a lot more of the shade before the summer is out.

Yves Saint Laurent will debut the citrine La Laque in shade 138, €24, right, Nars’ Kismet, €18, promises to be a metallic take on the trend, Opi’s The IT Colour, €12.50, below, is available now and budget brands won’t be far behind with even more spot-on copies either.

For early adopters and for those who simply won’t paint their paws with anything but the best, can a pasty Irish skintone and a bright yellow nail paint ever exist in happy harmony?

“Definitely,” declares Karla Heney, salon manager at Wah Nails nail art studio, located at Harvey Nichols in Dublin’s Dundrum Town Centre. The last bastion of all things hip when it comes to hands, if the Wah gals say the shade’s on-trend, then listen up. “It’s been really popular for the last couple of weeks,” she says.

“We’ve had loads of girls coming in asking for yellow for big events like college balls.

“The trick to getting it to work is to find the right tone,” reveals Karla, who says a zesty lemon is perfect for sallow or fake tanned skins and milk-bottle types would be better steered towards banana yellows.

Nail shape is equally important. Where dark lacquer lends itself to a chic squoval shape, that goes out the window for citrus brights. “Yellow looks amazing on long, squared-off nails — and a super-glossy finish is a must,” she dishes.

If you’re not brave enough to go it solo with a set of sunshine-inspired digits, then check this year’s huge nail art trend for a little inspiration to help break up blocks of colour. “We’re getting requests for the classic smiley face,” says Karla, and pop star Rihanna has recently been spotted sporting the self-same style. One of Wah’s classic designs, the zigzag Aztec, can be easily replicated over a basic yellow paint job with the easy-to-use Models Own Wah Nails nail art pen in black, €7, left. Glitter tips will give a new twist on the classic French — Essence’s fab Tip Painter in Silver Surfer, €1.99, below, is a cinch to use. Try layering a so-hot-it-hurts crackle coat over a black base shade: IsaDora Graffiti Nails in Yellow, €7.50, gives you a flavour of the tone done crazy-paving style. Or how about using a sunflower shade on one nail as an accent?

Karla says: “It looks amazing worn with a really hot blue.” And for anyone with a passion for fashion, consider this.

“Yellow looks great with black,” she enthuses. “It’s spot-on for this season’s colour-blocking trend too. Yellow really is the shade of the summer.”

Check out Kirstie’s blog at beaut.ie/blog/

Don’t break the bank

Desperate to get mellow with yellow right this very second? Get the look now — and get it on the cheap with these five sunshine shades.

Gosh Yellow Bombay, €8.50

Catrice Bye, Bye Birdy, €2.79

Avon Sunshine, €9

Marks and Spencer Essential Colours Nail Colour in Lemon, €3.50

Models Own Lemon Sherbet, €7.50

Stockists

Avon at avon.ie;

Catrice at Dunnes and Penneys;

Chanel at department stores; Essence at Dunnes and Penneys;

Gosh at pharmacies;

IsaDora at pharmacies;

Marks and Spencer branches nationwide;

Models Own at larger Boots;

Nars at Brown Thomas Dublin and narscosmetics.eu;

Opi at Beautyfeatures.ie and salons;

Yves Saint Laurent at department stores