Multi-Colored Nails – Trendy or Tacky?

Posted on May 22, 2009
multi color nail trend celebrity Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?Being that I spend most of my living days leaving the house with random polishes on each of my fingertips, or worse only one hand painted, I’m the last person to really judge someone for rocking a funky nail style. Even though I can’t get on board with the over-the-top, bejeweled nail art thing that’s happening, I don’t begrudge someone who does.

Now, you’ve seen my “skittles” nails, my sports themed manis to support the Browns & the Cavs and my interpretation of the Dexter hand. And as I see more and more celebs working the multi-colored manicure look, I wonder if it’s a passing fad or just coming into style. Will I no longer get stares for having three obviously different shades of purple on my nails?

Is it fun, fugly or fabulous? Cast your vote and see if you can guess who’s been sporting the trend after the jump!


erin lucas the city multicolored nails Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?At the recent “Only the Brave” NYC Diesel Fragrance Launch Event, The City’s Erin Lucas accented her bold turquoise mani with taxi cab yellow middle fingers that matched her toes. I’m not sure it’s apropos for the cocktail dress but I love it otherwise.

56791740CincyFan51200924213PM Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?And for the Kai Kuhne Fall ‘09 runway show, CND’s Roxanne Valinoti put her twist on the gradated manicure by painting each nail a different shade of gray working from pinkie to thumb (light-dark).

lauren koslow days of our lives kate roberts Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?Though this look isn’t exactly new. A few years back, Lauren Koslow, who plays Days Of Our Lives‘ Kate Roberts, regularly appeared on screen rocking two black tips with a pale manicure.

Fun fact: An online pal of mine met Lauren at a fan event and asked for the story behind her offbeat manicure. Lauren said that it’s something fun she does with her daughter and that Days’ producers don’t mind her wearing it on the show.

rihanna multi colored nail Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?Now I’m sure most of you guessed that nail trendsetter Rihanna was going to be mentioned, right? Per usual Rihanna was ahead of the times when she donned a pink and black combo back in the summer of 2007 at the Live Earth concert in Tokyo.

This is totally something my MUA pal Nikki would wear. She’s been known to do the mismatched mani in the past.

tallulah morton multi colored nails Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?More recently, Australian supermodel Tallulah Morton was shot with nails that take multi-colored to the extreme wearing a different shade on each finger. Is it too much or edgy cool?

christina milian nails Multi Colored Nails   Trendy or Tacky?And just last summer former MTV VJ and singer, Christina Milian, paired her sunny yellow frock with a tonal yellow and tangerine look.

So are we feeling this? Who’s been wearing the multi-colored mani? What are your fave color combinations?

image credit: Wire Image and Mark Hunter CobraSnake.com

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13 Responses to “Multi-Colored Nails – Trendy or Tacky?”

  1. Stef says:

    I like it. I’ve worn the Skittles look before and it was fun. I also like seeing a different colored middle or ring finger. I don’t think I’d do it anymore, but you never know! Inspiration could strike during my next mani and I could end up with anything! That’s the fun of polish!

  2. styrch says:

    Some colors are just meant to be worn together. Why not?

  3. Anonymous says:

    i like changing one nail color on each hand.
    the tonal of different shades of grey sounds interesting, and could look good. this could also be done with other colors, I think.
    but extreme skittles, all five fingers a totally different color, is too much for me (ok for swatching but not for real life).
    :-)

  4. Jessica says:

    I think I did the multicolored thing a few times when I was younger but nothing recently. I really like the idea of painting your middle fingers different then the rest of your nails to match your toes…thats a good way to wear a different color on your toes than whats on your nails since I don’t like doing two different colors.

  5. karen says:

    i’m really not digging it on any of them, it seems too annoying tween for me and i’m only 20 so i can’t imagine rocking this look as i get older.

  6. Luc says:

    trendy for everyday (espescialy if they’re rainbow colours or ones that suit each other) but I think it’s nice just to stick to one for like a movie premiere or somthing

  7. chawesome says:

    i dunno about each finger being a different color..maybe two colors together. or one main color and a secondary on one finger, just to mix it up.

  8. carakitty says:

    I don’t mind it if the different colors are somehow tied together, like with simple nail art or a funky french tip. When it’s just one random nail thrown into the mani to me it looks like a mistake or something and gets me all confused.

  9. George says:

    Hi Michelle:

    Whenever, I am looking for the next color polish I will paint a few fingers different colors (sometimes all ten! LOL)mostly just a few different shades, I like the look and when I see them painted it just makes me feel better about myself and makes me smile knowing that I can do this for myself and not fear public critizism…

    I must tell you about my last experience at Sally’s Beauty store, the girls convinced me to sign up for a Sally’s Beauty Club Member, now I have two beauty clubs, Sally’s and Sephora Insider…

    My newest fav polish is Finger Paints, “Lavender Highlight” (I got a little carried away and did all my fingers, ha ha ) and the toes are presently, “Artisitc Azure,” awaiting the Lavender Highlight polish…

  10. ashleydanielle4 says:

    I watch Days Of Our Lives and it kills me everytime I see Kate’s nails! I can’t stand it. I wish I could find a way to do a manicure with 2 different colors, for football games, and like it though.

  11. Polish Earthgirl says:

    I personally think that this is somewhat tacky, no offense. It seems like something you would wear for a costume party, not on a normal basis.

  12. Susanna says:

    I’ve done this. I always do red, white and blue nails for the 4th of July for example. I think it’s a bit trendy for every day wear (unless it were something very monochromatic, like different shades of grey, for example), but I do think it’s a fun look for celebrities.

  13. angie says:

    Tacky as nail art!!!
    Why in earth you want to paint your fingers with different colors..keep it simple, Rememeber less is more!

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