One of my favorite parts of New York Fashion Week is trend spotting. While most people are focused on the clothes, a less obvious but just as important aspect is the nail polish trends. Essie invited me to come backstage at a few runway shows to get an exclusive first look at the New York Fashion Week Spring 2017 nail trends. This season there were lots of barely there nude nail polishes and a few pops of red. Read on to see some of my favorite trends I saw and how to get the look at home.
Monique Lhuillier
At the Monique Lhuillier SS17 show, the models strutted down the runway sporting a rich deep red yet not quite black nail polish. To juxtapose the sweetly innocent and dark sides of the collection, Julie Kandalec for essie opted for the shade wicked on the nails. 
Get the look:
1. Start by applying first base base coat to clean nails.
2. Then apply two coats of wicked to each nail
3. Use good to go top coat for a high gloss, runway ready finish.
I really appreciate Julie sharing her wisdom and tools of the trade to get this look. Here’s a shot of Julie backstage mid-manicure.
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone had a fresh and real feel to it. Julie Kandalac for essie created a custom red manicure using a-list and really red to perfectly match the pops of red in the collection.
She also interspersed a neutral nail and a black nail, opting for sand tropez (My absolute favorite nude nail polish shade ever!) and licorice, on eight of the girls.
Get the essie manicure custom red look:
1. Start by applying first bast base coat to clean nails.
2. Next, paint one coat of a-list on each fingernail.
3. Layer another coat of really red over the top to customize your red shade.
4. Finish with good to go top coat to add a glossy shine.
Altuzarra
Altuzarra’s Spring Summer 2017 collection was all about elevated kitsch. Joseph Altuzarra credits the classic 90s film Wild at Heart as his inspiration for the collection.
To complement the flirty and sensual nature of the collection, Julie Kandalec for essie created a soft, barely there manicure with pink undertones.
Get the look:
1. Start by applying ridge filling base coat to clean fingernails.
2. Next, apply two coats of hi maintenance, a sheer, pale pink to the nails.
3. Apply the good to go top coat for a glossy finish.
Jenny Packham
In Jenny Packham’s Spring Summer 2017 collection, each dress had its own distinct individuality to it. The nails were created with the idea that any stylish woman could wear them while also flattering each dress. 
Michelle Saunders for essie chose tuck it in my tux layered with matte about you top coat for the fingernails as it mimicked the white fabric used in the collection.
Get the look:
1. Begin by applying ridge filling base coat to clean nails to create a smooth canvas.
2. Apply two coats of tuck it in my tux and let dry.
3. Finish with matte about you top coat.
Self-Portrait
The nude, barely there nails were elevated with a swipe of matte topcoat at Self Portrait. You guys know I love a good matte nail, see how to get the look below.
Get the look:
1. Begin by applying first base base coat to all of the nails.
2. Next, apply two coats of au natural and let dry.
3. To finish, paint one coat of matte about you top coat over the nails to get a matte effect.
Alexander Wang
The king of the cool girl aesthetic opted for a slightly shimmery yet matte nude nail polish, which paired well with the collection. The nails were made to look like a sanded down look, much like after spending a day at the beach.
Get the look:
1. Start by applying one coat of ridge filling base coat on clean nails to ensure a smooth application.
2. Then, coat nails with one layer of cocktails and coconuts, a neutral that gives off just a hint of shimmer, like the sand in the sun.
3. Next, apply one coat of au natural.
4. Finish with one coat of matte about you top coat, to get that sandy effect.
Band of Outsiders
Rita Remark for essie made sure to find a nail polish shade that flattered every skin tone. Opting for a sheer alabaster manicure that would pop against the collection,
Get the look:
1. Start by applying one coat of ridge filling base coat.
2. Next, paint two coats of limo-scene, a sheer, pastel pink polish.
3. Finish the look with gel setter top coat for a glossy sheen.
Oscar De La Renta
The Oscar de la Renta Spring 2017 collection was all about a modern mix of cool and elegance – a wealthy girl who is high quality but not uptight. 
Michelle Saunders for essie took that inspiration and wanted to keep the nails very short, minimal and rounded – a departure from the typical Oscar de la Renta show.
Get the look:
1. Start by applying first base base coat to bare nails.
2. Next, swipe on two coats of mademoiselle, a sheer “grown-up” pink.
3. To give it a youthful glow, add good to go top coat, which has a high shine.
Michael Costello
If you follow me on snapchat (@TheKelleyDoll) you know that I was absolutely obsessed with the Michael Costello SS17 Collection. Rita Remark for essie created a gorgeous design that drew on the hybrid of darkness and light.
Taking a cue from the gold and açaí fabrics from the collection, Rita chose two colors, essie’s deep sole mate and metallic good as gold to luxuriously illustrate this contrast.
Rita was kind enough to offer some wisdom backstage on how to get the perfect gradient mani without worrying about getting nail polish on the cuticles.
Get the look:
1. Start by applying first base base coat to the nails
2. Next, apply one coat of good as gold
3. Using a latex makeup wedge, apply both good as gold and sole mate horizontally on the wedge, and blend them together lightly
4. Working quickly, tap the wedge into the nail and create a soft fade or ombré design
5. Repeat on all ten nails and finish with good to go top coat
Rebecca Minkoff
For the season’s nail look Celebrity manicurist Michelle Saunders created a modern twist on a classic French manicure using two fall essie shades, the antique pink go go geisha and a deep crimson maki me happy.
The look was inspired by the eclectic cool girl vibes from Rebecca Minkoff’s line.
Get the look:
1. Start by applying first base base coat to clean nails.
2. Next, apply go go geisha, an antique pink, to just the ring fingers, and let dry.
3. Then, paint maki me happy, a deep crimson, on the rest of the nails.
4. Now, take the maki me happy and while angling your brush horizontally, drag it across the tip of the ring fingers (just shy of half way down your nail).
5. Using go go geisha in this same fashion, paint across the tips of the other nails to complete the look.
6. Finish with gel setter top coat.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed learning about the New York Fashion Week Spring 2017 nail trends. I’ve definitely got a ton of inspiration for my next manicure. Which look was your favorite?
Talk soon. Bye!
