6 Fingernail Trends: Which Ones are Tacky, Which are Classy? Part 1

The condition of our nails speaks volumes about us. While you or I may pay scant attention to our nails, others will. Below we run down fingernail faux pas to avoid.

Tacky or Classy? Acrylic Fingernails

There are some acrylic nails out there that look great and can turn your short, stubby fingers into hands worthy of hand modeling. For example, my friend Deirdre always chews her nails down and decided to get acrylics so she wouldn't be tempted to bite. She chose short, rounded acrylics and her nails looked fabulous. The havoc they wrecked on her nails under them? Not so fabulous. But she loved her nails while she had them. Long, square nails, however are quite tacky and out of fashion. Not only do they look fake (who grows their natural nails that long anyway?), they aren't practical. They click on everything and make it virtually impossible to pick things up, pull on tight blue jeans and just about anything else one needs fingers for. My cousin Cat removed her inch-long nails when she had a baby and she was so excited she could finally pick up her keys.
The only best length for acrylic nails these days is short and rounded.

Tacky or Classy? Nail Art

Nail art these days is a huge industry. Everyone is decorating their nails as fashion statement. Just be careful. A painted flower on one big toe is cute because it's dainty and unexpected, but ten fingers decorated in swiggles, lightening bolts or glued-on cubic zirconias can be considered over-the-top. Your best bet is to stick with something very cool and sedate and avoid pairing your nail art with long acrylics.