Lacquered Up

Photograph by istockphoto

The key to a great mani-pedi is choosing a polish that suits your skin tone, says Donna Charloff of Boston’s MiniLuxe nail spa. For example, if you have ruddy undertones, avoid skin-matching pink colors; instead, try a neutral like Essie’s Blushing Bride. “It’s very sheer and isn’t too pink, too beige, or too white,” Charloff explains. Olive-skinned women, meanwhile, should go for pink tones like Olivia by Zoya, a nontoxic polish line, or Sugar Daddy by Essie. And the French manicure is making a comeback in Boston, adds Charloff, who insists today’s version is more subtle than before. To avoid the Lee Press-On effect, make sure the white tip is slightly more opaque than the rest of the nail. For this, Salon Capri manicurist Claudia Vieira likes Walk on the Ocean by SpaRitual.

While manicures should stay traditional, pedicures are your chance to have some fun, says Charloff. Opt for bold reds, deep pinks, or even pastels. “I’ve had a lot of brides choose OPI’s Cool in the Pool for their toes,” she notes. “It’s a creative way to add in your ‘something blue’—and it’s way better than a blue garter.”