Latest news with #JulieKandalec
Refinery29
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Spider Gel Is The Coolest Nail Art Trend
We're always here for a product that makes creating cool nail art insanely easy. Because really, who wants to devote more than 30 minutes to their at-home manicure — or spend hours in a salon waiting for their artist to finish dotting on every last detail with a brush? So, when we found out about " spider gel," an innovative nail art formula sweeping Instagram (that requires almost no tools), we were immediately intrigued. "It gives you the straightest lines you've seen in your life," New York City-based nail artist Julie Kandalec says. "It looks like a really thick gel, and then when you put a little toothpick or something in it, you can draw out a string of the stuff, and drape the gel on the nail." A few strands later and your fingertips are transformed into works of modern art. At a time when nail art is typically about shimmer and bling, Kandalec loves this because it offers an alternative to the sparkly stuff. "This gives the option of a cleaner, more linear look," she says. But she does have one warning: This gel is best used on top of a gel manicure. "I feel like it won't last as long on top of just polish," Kandalec says. "Because you really should use a gel topcoat over it." Available in shades of black, red, gold, silver and more (for $7.95 a pop), consider spider gel the ultimate upgrade to your gel mani. Check out our favourite takes on the trend, and all the ways artists are using it.
Forbes
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Best Fall Nail Colors Of 2025, According To Experts
While summer nail colors are dominated by happy brights and pale pastels, fall is the time to reach for more saturated shades. The best fall nail colors are sensual and moody—think warm chocolate browns, wine-inspired reds, unexpected earthy greens and color-shifting topcoats. As you transition your closet (and mindset) and ditch breezy linen for cozy cashmere, channeling autumnal vibes through your nail polish is easier than ever. The best fall 2025 nail colors are refreshingly rich and saturated. These warm, earthy shades will ... More perfectly complement the seasonal transition. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS 'While we always want summer to stick around, in general nail shades go darker in fall,' says Julie Kandalec, New York City-based manicurist and educator. 'We're seeing mauves and mochas, clay colors, deep greens and teals, bronzey metallics, cabernet reds, shades of white, and even micro French manicures.' Here are the best fall colors of 2025, whether you're looking for an updated neutral, jewel tone or out-of-the-box autumn iridescent. 'Earthy, clay colors—as if you were in an airplane over the American West and looking down—will be big this season,' says Kandalec, who notes that browns are a popular, sophisticated option. This chocolate brown hue, reminiscent of worn leather, is a refined choice for fall. Wear it with your favorite fall boot while warming your hands with a pecan oatmilk cortado. For an entire set of can't-go-wrong fall shades, we also like Lights Lacquer's Headed West collection. Crisp fall days call for coziness, and comforting mauve shades are a quintessential autumn neutral. This versatile, vintage-inspired shade—which really reads more taupe and beige with the slightest hints of purple—is polished for work, and it pairs well with a slouchy bag, chunky sweater and basically anything in your closet for weekends, too. (Pro tip: If you liked a summer purple jelly, you may like this as a seasonal replacement.) If you've gravitated toward navy in fall in the past, try this rich blue-meets-green shade as a stunning, less predictable alternative. The rich, elegant color is a little bit darker and more muted than peacock. Evelyn Lim, chief educator at Paintbox, likes saturated teal shades like this cruelty-free one as a short nail choice. Greens with a hint of brown are trending this fall, according to Kandalec. If you're looking for a nuanced polish, this mysterious olive color evokes lush forest-y vibes with its slightly muddy yellow and brown undertones. While this color may stretch you out of your comfort zone, it will earn you endless style points. For another similar shade, try Addiction Tokyo's Kyoto Moss. So yes, this shade should be familiar to you. One of the brand's original nail colors, Essie Bordeaux was first released back in 1981, and it's equally in style today, according to Kandalec. That's because wine-colored hues are fall classics—they work with a variety of skin tones and add sophistication to every outfit. If you're looking for more of a brown with red undertones, we also like the new Essie Boho Rodeo. 'We're seeing white in the fall nail collections this year, which is pretty rare,' says Kandalec. 'There are ecru and eggshell shades, and even whites with a little pearl or microshimmer finish.' This sheer creamy white polish from Londontown is designed to strengthen and moisturize nails—with ingredients like evening primrose oil, cucumber extract and vitamin E—which is helpful as fall air becomes crisper and drier. Nail colors that mimic fall leaves and pumpkin hues are, fittingly, back this season. This spicy shade is a warm orange-brown, but with an updated reflective finish. It's ideal for those who want extra shine without adding gems or additional nail art. For a color-shifting bronze, try ILNP Abundance. If you wore hot pink in summer and are looking for a pink shade that transitions into fall, raspberry is a good choice, according to Lim. This statement-making pink is infused with peony and pistachio extract to protect nails. Ulta Beauty Glamnetic La Perle Press On Nails 'French manicures—especially micro-French manicures—are big for fall,' says Kandalec. 'They make the nail beds look long.' The only issue is, precise micro-French styles can be labor intensive and difficult to execute at home. As an alternative, this press on set from Glamnetic has a square-oval shape and glazed finish that gives nails a pulled together, stylish look. For an edgy twist, try almond shaped French mani press-ons with black tips and gem nail art. The Forbes Vetted beauty team has spent lots of time researching and writing about nailcare, including stories on the best summer nail colors, the best press-on nails and the best nail polish brands. This article was written by Forbes Vetted beauty and fashion writer Molly Calhoun, who has covered haircare and skincare extensively for the vertical and has covered lifestyle topics for two decades. She has personal experience with many of these brands and plans to wear chocolate brown and earthy green nail colors all fall long. Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung oversaw this story. She is a beauty veteran who has been a lifestyle journalist for twenty years, and she has tested and edited stories on hundreds of beauty products. For this story we spoke with two leading nail experts: Julie Kandalec, New York City-based celebrity manicurist and educator, and Evelyn Lim, chief educator at Paintbox. For this list, we started with a broad, comprehensive search. We scoured trend forecasts from top nailcare brands, we pored over runway looks and we sought the expertise of respected nail artists. We sought out bestselling formulas and new shades from top brands, including Essie, Manicurist, OPI and Lights Lacquer. We consulted two nail experts for this story. We discussed specific color families and polish names that are trending for fall 2025 in addition to popular nail trends like micro-French nails and bronze or copper metallics. We considered polishes at different price points because everyone is working with a different budget. We took online reviews into account as well. While some shades aren't always right for certain skin tones, we assessed if users reported that polishes were prone to chipping or streaking.
Vogue
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Rosewater Nails Are a K-Beauty Staple—and Summer's Prettiest Manicure Trend
Summer glamour isn't always about the bright and bold—sometimes, a seasonal trend takes off with just a whisper. Take K-beauty's latest import: rosewater nails. 'I love rosewater nails and do this look on Rosé all the time,' nail artist and Chanel ambassador Betina Goldstein says. 'It's like tinted lip gloss for your nails. It adds just a tint of color but still feels natural.' New York-based manicurist Julie Kandalec agrees. While on a recent trip to Seoul, she noticed the rosewater nail trend everywhere. 'Sheer colors like rosewater are really the only finish locals wear, because you don't normally see that crisp line of growth,' Kandalec explains. She loves Lights Laquer's shade Just a Tint, but you can transform any clear polish into rosewater fairly easily: 'Create your own by adding a few drops of opaque bright pink to a bottle of clear,' she advises. 'You want to choose a pink that matches your undertone of cool or warm.' Photo: @ Goldstein adds that another another take on the rosewater trend—what she calls 'rose bath nails'—has been growing in popularity, too. Her trick to get the look? 'I apply a thin layer of a sheer cream color as the base coat, then add the sheer pink on top.' Have a beauty or wellness trend you're curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue's senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Best Nail Shape for Mature Hands, According to a Celebrity Manicurist
The Best Nail Shape for Mature Hands, According to a Celebrity Manicurist originally appeared on Parade. There's no rules when it comes to manicures—do what is fun, flattering, exciting and joyful for you! But our nails do age with us, so we need to take extra care to keep them healthy as we get older. Our nails may grow more slowly, or become dull and brittle. So, we caught up with celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, who has worked with Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain and Connie Britton, to discuss nail health, nail trends and aging. "Our skin, hair and nails all become more dehydrated with age, so drinking lots of water with electrolytes helps keep the nails flexible," Kandalec tells Parade. "Nails are supposed to be flexible. That way they bend, not break!" As we age, if our nails become brittle, she suggests "keeping a nail coating on them like a structured manicure or even just gel polish like CND Shellac, really helps to keep them intact and prevent them from peeling and splitting," she says. This would also cover opaque or yellowing nails, which can happen with age. Kandalec likes shorter nails for mature women. "I love a shorter soft square or almond shape," she says. And this summer, "a sheer white chrome mani is trending for all ages! It's beautiful and reflects just enough so that it's not too bold," she says. "Also I love putting a superfine glitter top coat over a blush pink mani, I'm wearing that on my hands now! It gives just a subtle sparkle that you really can only see close up." Other favorite current trends for Kandalec are "chrome nails, 3D flowers, micro french, and glitter french," she says. Related: 50 Best Nail Ideas for Women Over 50 Press-ons are also trending, "for good reason," Kandalec says. "They're fast and if you want just a little length and strength from home, Kiss offers some really simple to fun designs." She recommends both the no-glue options and the traditional press-ons. But never ever "peel your press-ons off, or remove them with a tool before giving them enough time to properly soak," Kandalec says. The absolute minimum is 15 minutes. Related: We also asked Kandalec about the latest trends in pedicures. "I have been seeing a ton of bare toes! Either super sheer toes, or something like Bubble Bath for a whisper of done-ness. Personally I'm wearing 2 coats of Bubble Bath with a super skinny gold glitter french," she says. "Bright neons on coral and hot pink will always be fun in the summer too." Related: :The Best Nail Shape for Mature Hands, According to a Celebrity Manicurist first appeared on Parade on Jun 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
