Textured talons... Alexa Chung leads the way with leather-look nails

Alexa Chung leads the way with leather-look nails - from leather to feather
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Emma McCarthy4 September 2014

Over the past few years nails have undergone quite a transformation. Thanks to the capital’s booming nail art movement and wave after wave of innovative technologies, it’s been a long while since we beauty buffs were content with slicking on a single monotone coat of glossy lacquer.

But now the focus can be not so much on the look but the feel of the nails themselves. Judging by what the major nail varnish brands have up their sleeves, 2013 promises to be the year of some very tactile talons indeed.

Textured nail varnish has quickly become one of the fastest growing trends to date. Nails Inc’s Bling It On Leather & Skulls kit (£19, nailsinc.com) proved an instant success. After being worn by Alexa Chung at last year’s British Fashion Awards ahead of its launch, the product sold out as soon as it hit stores and now boasts a waiting list of almost 3,000 people.

Inspired by the fetishistic leather trend which swept the A/W2012 catwalks, the limited edition varnish dries into a semi-matte texture that looks identical to a coat of leather.

Available in tan and rich black, with a burgundy shade on the way, the set comes with metallic skull and crossbones motifs to appliqué on to a single nail for added effect.

But while you may have to clamour with a few thousand others to get your hands on one of these sets, Nails Inc has more tactile formulas on offer over the coming months.

Its Concrete pots (£12), available in four block shades, dry to a rough stone-like finish, while the brand also has a denim effect polish (£19) and Feather Effect collection (£11) — with varnishes containing tiny particles to give nails a feathery texture — planned for the summer.

But Nails Inc isn’t the only brand opting for “feel good” in 2013. Celebrity favourite Ciate put itself on the map last year with its Caviar Manicure and Velvet effect kits, as well as the more recent Sequined Manicure set (£14, selfridges.com). But British fans will will have to wait to try the Colourfoil manicure, inspired by London’s street artists. It is designed to create an edgy graffiti look using a collage of metallic foils available in three colours: Carnival Queen, Wonderland and Kaleidoscope Klash (£18).

Maybelline New York is also going big on texture this year, with upcoming launches including shredded and polka-dot formulas, while OPI will also launch four gritty and glittering Liquid Sand varnishes this week as part of its collaboration with singer Mariah Carey (£11, lenawhite.co.uk).

But perhaps one of the most tactile launches comes courtesy of budget beauty brand MUA, who last week unveiled its much-anticipated Fur Effect Nails (£3, muastore.co.uk), available in five fluffy shades including bubblegum pink and plush purple.

And the real beauty of this textured trend is that, while it may look like a masterpiece in the offing, it is actually a doddle to do. Unlike intricate nail art, with these foolproof application sets and polishes you don’t have to visit a manicurist — or even have a steady hand — to create these effects. All you need is one magic pot.

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