What’s that we smell? A hint of daffodils in the air? The sweet coconut-scented sunscreen you’re packing for your spring break vaca? A little something else wafting in the air at Coachella and other hipster festivals? A change of season is in the air. And lighter, brighter weather means lighter, brighter nails (we hear that even dark polish loyalists take a hiatus from the monotony of black manis come March). Trust us, once you see this season’s prettiest sun-drenched hues, you’ll never want to take them off. Here’s how to wear them solo or if you’re up for some seriously pinterest-worthy nail art, courtesy of celebrity nail queen and Essie artist Rita Remark.Essie B’aha Moment!The true hue: Think bubble gum pink meets magenta meets pomegranate for a fun, girly pop of color Nail it with nail art:Festival Flair (see above image)1. After a thin layer of First Base base coat, apply two coats of B'aha Moment! Allow it to completely dry. 2. Using a striping brush, create a "V" shape on the side of the accent nail using a light pink like Backseat Besties. Let dry. 3. Add small triangles along the top and bottom of the "V".  Let dry for 1-2 minutes. 4. Add a smaller "V" on the inside of the first using an indigo blue like All The Wave.5. Add a still smaller "V" using a coral like Excuse Me, Sur.  Then seal withGel.Setter top coat.Rita’s tip: Create one accent nail with the design on the side of the nail, and another at the tip.Essie On The RoadieThe true hue: A vibrant Kelly green with ripe avocado undertonesNail it with nail art:Palm Reading (see image above)1. After a thin layer of Ridge Filling primer, apply two coats of a warm pale pink like Backseat Besties. Let polish completely dry. 2. Using a detail brush, create leaf designs with On The Roadie. 3. Begin the leaf pattern by polishing the stem with a curved line. To create the bird of paradise palm leaf, polish a tapered oval outline first, making sure to leave the distinctive cut-outs. When the outline is complete, fill it in. Let polish dry for 2-3 minutes.4. Seal with Call It Even top coat.Rita’s tip: Rinse your brush frequently in polish remover to keep this design crisp and clean.Essie Excuse Me, SurThe true hue: A creamy sun-kissed coral mango that looks sweet enough to eatNail it with nail art: Arm Candy (see image above)1. After a thin layer of Ridge Filling primer, apply two coats of Excuse Me, Sur. Let polish completely dry. 2. Using a striping brush, apply 2 horizontal lines of light pink, like Backseat Besties, across the nail at a slight angle. Let dry for 1-2 minutes. 3. Add a line of indigo blue like All The Wave, crossing the first lines. Let dry for 1-2 minutes. 4. Add 2 lines of a purply plum like Designated DJ.5. Create “beads” with the same purply plum (try designated DJ ) using a dotting tool, then seal with Good To Go top coat.Rita’s tip: Play with different angles and dot combinations to create a unique pattern on each nail.Essie Backseat BestiesThe true hue: A delicate, oh-so-pretty pink plumeria so feminine it makes us blushNail it with nail art:Retro Specs (see image above)1. After a thin layer of First Base base coat, apply two coats of Backseat Besties on the middle and ring finger nail of each hand, and a darker fuschia pink like B’aha Moment! on the thumb, pointer, and pinkie nails. Let polish completely dry. 2. Using a detail brush, create sunglass frames on the middle and ring fingers with a juicy green like On The Roadie and B’aha Moment! Start with one horizontal line and add two half circles to form each sunglass shape. Let dry for 2-3 minutes.3. Fill in the sunglass frames with a dark blue like All The Wave. Let dry.4. Seal with clear top coat.Rita’s tip: Rather than dipping your detail brush directly in the bottle, which can gather excess polish, put a few drops of polish onto a disposable palette (or piece of aluminum foil) for a precise amount.**Tell us what your favorite nail art design is in the comments below!
