Back in my day, only the wild, punky girls with dyed black hair and — gasp! — double-pierced ears! at my junior high wore blue nail polish. Oh the times, they have a-changed. Blue polish is totally mainstream and is, in fact, tres on trend. You can't throw a bottle of nail polish remover without hitting a celeb sporting a blue manicure.
Now, I'm all for wearing whatever darn color of nail polish you want, no matter how old you are! But, if you're feeling a little unsure about straying into the blue zone, I've got some starter steps you can take. With these looks, you'll be stylish and hip but feel like a grown-up person (versus the girl in detention coloring the ends of her hair with a black Sharpie).
Come on in, the water's blue!
Do you wear blue nail polish?
Image via EssiePolish/Instagram
A Deep Navy Nail Looks Sleek & Sophisticated
A navy that's so dark it doesn't even read as blue in certain lights will give you a glamorous, sophisticated look with a slightly vampy edge. Essie "After School Boy Blazer" is a perfect pick. ($8.50 at Essie.com)
A Matte Blue Is Less Flashy Than a Glossy Polish
Use a matte top coat to turn any polish from shiny to matte, like Butter London Matte Finish Shine Free Top Coat. ($18 at ButterLondon.com) OPI Nail Varnish in "Russian Navy Suede" is a deep blue with purple undertones and a sexy, subtle matte finish. ($10 at Amazon.com)
A Pretty Pastel Blue Looks Amazing With a Summer Glow (or Without!)
A light pastel blue is universally flattering. Essie "Bikini So Teeny" is a vibrant yet soft and pretty shade with a hint of shimmer. ($8.50 at Essie.com)
A Gray Blue Is Worldly & Elegant
A blue on the gray spectrum will give you a glam, elegant, cosmopolitan look. Zoya "Ling" is more toward the royal blue end ($9 at Zoya.com), while Deborah Lippmann "Moon Rendezvous" is a gorgeous iridescent slate blue. ($18 at DeborahLippmann.com)
A Teal Blue Is a Cool Twist
A teal shade gives some of the same depth as a gray blue, but it's a little more "out there" — without being too wild. Shown here is Butter London "Artful Dodger" Nail Lacquer. ($19 at ButterLondon.com)
A Textured Polish Gives a Chic Flair
The polish shown here, "Skinny Jeans," is part of the L’Oreal Miss Denim collection for summer 2014, which you should still be able to find at drugstores. Another great textured blue is Nicole by OPI "Blue-Berry Sweet on You." ($8 at Drugstore.com)
