The party season is now upon us.
Office shindigs are being planned, Christmas nights out booked and fancy frocks are being bought in preparation.
We're all thinking glitter, sparkles, sequins. OK, perhaps we're not all thinking that, but you get the picture. It's the time of year for abundant excess, for fun, for over-the-top glamour – not for minimalism. jeans and a T-shirt? We think not.
In beauty terms it's the time of year for the bright red lip, for bold eye make-up and for rouged cheeks. It's also the perfect time for trying out glamorous nail colours.
The autumn/winter 2012 catwalks were the breeding ground for many of the most opulent trends this season. From forest green velvets to jewel-encrusted black lace, we were shown how to dress-up this winter in style.
The fashion cherry on the cake was bold, dark, glamorous nails. From burgundy reds to ivy greens and midnight blues, dark coloured talons were the order of the day. And given the fact that a bottle of nail polish is a darn sight cheaper than a new party frock, it's little wonder so many of us have been seduced.
Indeed painting your nails in some of the colours of the season – purple, dark green, charcoal grey – is a great way to nod your head at fashion without having to spend all your Christmas budget on a new outfit.
The only rule? Keep your nails relatively short. Long, spiky talons might look great in the ad campaigns, but in real life they smack a little of the panto-bound evil step sister.
These are my favourite nail colours of the season: Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel in Forbidden (£6.49); Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Creator (£13.50); Estee Lauder Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Viper or Bete Noire (£14.50 each).
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