Lace and Lacquer

Written by Amelia Mularz   

It’s February and you need to get yourself some lace. Nope, not in bra, teddy, or, corset form. And no, not in heart-shaped doily form (I just had a flashback to grade school craft time). You’ll need the lace for your nails. Yep, I’m serious.

I first discovered the lace manicure at an event a couple of months ago. Barielle’s celebrity manicurist, Elle, let me in on the secret and since then I’ve been obsessed. Elle attached real lace (I picked navy) to the nails on my ring fingers and then painted the rest of my nails a complimentary gray (I like Barielle’s U-Concrete-Me, $8 at barielle.com).

The results? Well, I’ve personally showered my nails with love and affection for a number of years, but they hadn’t experienced such attention until I waltzed into the office the next morning showing off my laced up digits. The trendy new treatment was a major success!

If you’d like to dress your own nails in a sexy somethin’ somethin’, I’ve got the how-to straight from Barielle. Stick to just a few lace nails, like I did, for an understated look, or go crazy on all 10. Here’s how:

1. Start with a clean nail
2. Brush on Gel Resin (from Sally's)
3. Pick a thin Parisian piece of lace and attach it to your nail. You can find lace at any fabric shop. Tip: Look for a tightly woven lace so that more of the pattern will fit onto your nail.  
4. Spray your lace-covered nail with Glue Dry (from Sally's).
5. Cut any excess lace and shape using an embroidery scissor.
6. Re-Resin

Tip: My lace peeled off easily after about 10 days. If you’re getting antsy and want it off before then, just soak your nail in acetone and it will come right off.