Flared nails are back in fashion and no, we don’t know why either

If you’re over having almond-shaped nails, who about turning your acrylics into triangular monstrosities? Okay, so they’re not a new thing. Flared nails, otherwise known as duck feet nails, have been around for a while now – but they’ve recently resurfaced on Instagram and we’re not quite sure how they’ve become a trend in 2017. For anyone who doesn’t know about flared nails, they’re basically nails that’ll make you think you’re back in the 70s. The nails feature a flared shape, bringing out the corner of each nail into a duck foot-like fashion.
                                         

The look can be created using either acrylic or gel. According to beauty blog Glambo, you should apply either as though you are creating an artificial nail, except ‘where the white meets the pink’, you should begin ‘gradually adding the white product outward on the sides’ to create a flared shape. The tips of the nail should not be too much longer than the nail bed – otherwise the nail risk breaking. Finally, finish the nail with a harsh, square tip for full duck foot-like effect. Of course, you don’t have to go for the natural look – and many Instagram users who’ve been creating the look for themselves have gone above and beyond to make their fingers pop with colour.

No one really knows why the design has been called "baby boomer nails".
But there is a convincing theory from nail artist Bethel Coleman on her blog.
She said: "The baby boomer era is known from approximately 1946-1964, in 1945 when the world war ended there was an influx of babies born about 9 months later.....
"We can guess why? And the number of babies born each year averaged about 4million until 1964 then tapped off.
"In this time of the baby boom, the most popular nail colours were bright red, frosted pinks and whites."

I'm a 'long nails person' and I'm proud

My earliest beauty memory is of a matching set of Poochie or Strawberry Shortcake branded lipstick and nail polish I owned in 1986. They were in little bullet-shaped tubes, white plastic covered in pink love hearts; the lipstick was fruit scented, and the nail polish was a transparent fluorescent pink.
                                                 

To four-year-old me, that nail polish (which was effectively a clear topcoat, it was so transparent) was the last word in glamour.

In fact, I have many vivid nail polish related memories, including using Mum's varnishes to repaint my Barbie dolls (1992), finally finding a bottle of Revlon "Street Wear" polish in a barg

ain bin and feeling like the coolest person on earth (1997), and the blue glitter polish my family worried would be "too challenging" for some conservative relatives (1999).

Everything changed in 2010 when I met my great friend and nail collaborator Erin, who introduced me to a whole new world (I still remember the first polish we used, Butter London in "Henley Regatta"), as well as a niche new boast (turns out I have great nail beds; who knew?).

Nail art has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, in the general consciousness at least (since artists like Ortiz have been making mini masterpieces of nails for decades), but no matter how many Instagram manicures turn up on your 'suggested posts' page, people seem alarmed and even repulsed by long – really long – nails.

The great tragedy in these "ew, gross" reactions is that people are blind to the incredible sense of community that someone like Ortiz has fostered with her "long nail goddesses", not to mention the pure sense of self-actualisation and self-expression these people with long, painted nails enjoy.

The newest trend in fashion

It seems that the newest trend on Instagram is not for the shy. Fashionistas all over the photo sharing platform are sporting little vulvas on their nails.
                                               

While trends in fashion often go to the extent of becoming bizarre, this one, it seems, is really nailing it.

The recent fad, till a few days back saw women glitter bombing their vaginas. But now, they are getting vulva manicures.

The unusual trend involves embossing vagina shapes to create statement nail designs.

One of the most trending artists, according to The Sun is Asa Bree, who works at Finger Bang nail salon in Portland, USA.

Having decided that she wanted to create vagina-themed nail design, Asa tried it out on a local designer T Ngu.

Speaking to Buzzfeed, T said that Asa and she had been talking about doing some vagina inspired nails for a while and it just felt appropriate to make a statement on her nail.

The process took around two hours, with Asa consulting medical models of vaginas to get her design spot on.

The tattoos vary from flowers, arrows, dots and lines. The designs vary with other people matching their tattoos with their rings or matching with nail polish. The cuticles are a pretty painful spot, as skin over bones tends to be one of the most painful places to put tattoos but the trend is certainly taking off.

READ:Gorpcore - fashion favours function
But for those who love the idea but don't want to go through the pain of getting inked, there are salons that do temporary cuticle tattoos or try henna and some have opted for metallic gold  or black nail stamps to recreate the look.

Several Classic Films That Nail Uni Life

There’s definitely no shortage of movies that depict the American college experience. It’s usually guaranteed that there will be a new film released every year (and so many old films circulating) that focuses on some aspect of college life, from fraternities to classes to crazy parties.
                                               

But not every American films actually nails the Australian uni life experience. Usually, they’re so over the top you can’t relate to them. But every once in a while a classic comes along that, on some level, completely speaks to every uni student.

Legally Blonde

OK, you may be reading this one and are already disagreeing, but hear me out for a second. Sure, the plot of Legally Blonde sounds like a really cheesy rom-com, but it’s actually one of the best college films out there.

Good Will Hunting

An oldie but a goodie, Good Will Hunting is undeniably a classic and if you haven’t seen it yet, put it at the top of your list.

This film teaches you not only everything you need to be prepared for in uni or college, but life in general. It won’t always be easy, education can come from anywhere and sometimes in order to get to where you want, you’ll have to make some real sacrifices. Something all students can relate to.

The Social Network

One of the more dramatic films on this list, the 2010 hit depicts the creation of social networking site Facebook. Unlike your typical frat boy comedies, this movie takes a new approach to the classic college film.

St. Elmo’s Fire

Ahhhh another cult classic. The film critically panned at the time of its 1985 release, probably because it had a much more adult feel to it than all the other adolescent films of that time. Now a cult favourite, this film has stood the test of time and remains one of the best representations of uni life.

Chattanooga Teens Make Duct Tape Prom Dresses For $20,000 Prize

Mollie Ramos and Mary Ann Ebiefung, are the first Chattanooga area teens to advance in Duck brand’s annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. Their dresses are made completely out of duct tape and on June 14 it was announced that the girls were selected as top 10 finalists, advancing into the voting stage of the competition. They need as many votes as they can get by July 5, and are counting on local support in order to win.
                                           

The two girls are competing with young people throughout the U.S. and Canada for the top prize of $20,000. To compete, the girls were required to create two one-of-a-kind prom ensembles completely out of duct tape. Mary Ann (18) actually entered the competition last year as a single entry, but did not reach the voting stage. She says the disappointment only encouraged her to try again. To save money she actually recycled about 50 percent of last year’s dress and used it for both of this year’s entries.

According to the girls, it took them 215 hours to complete their prom ensembles. They were loosely inspired by the Victorian era, and used 25 rolls of gold and royal blue duct tape. All accessories including the earrings, necklaces, headbands and elaborately decorated hand fan were made with duct tape. Mary Ann's dress includes a detachable fringe skirt that can be removed to reveal a shorter version of her dress. Both girls have been working on this project since last summer and became best friends as a result.

Stuck at Prom’s panel of judges has already selected the top 10 couples entries based on workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories and use of Duct Tape in the outfits. The second round of the competition requires the entries to gather as many votes as they can. The winner will be selected by 60 percent of the judge’s votes and 40 percent of the community votes. To support these Chattanooga teens, visit stuckatprom.com and vote using an email address.

Icy Unicorn-Tip Nail Art Looks Like You Dipped Your Fingers in Magic

Just when we thought we had seen every unicorn-inspired beauty trend in this magical universe, we were introduced to dripping unicorn-tip nail art — and we're completely in love. The look involves a holographic finish to the tips of the nail, applied vertically toward the cuticle to give the appearance of the sparkly finish dripping or fading into the rest of the nail bed.
                                         

There a couple of ways to get in on this hypnotising, sparkly trend. If you want a more icicle-inspired look, place strips of holographic foil on the nails vertically and overlap different lengths until you get your desired effect.

We can't get enough of holographic nails, and this variation brings a unique look to the massively popular phenomenon. Read on for some inspiration so you can nail this art for yourself.

This design is a pink and white gradient that begins pink at the base of the nail and gradually gets lighter towards a completely white tip. The french manicure gradient works well on shorter nails as there isn't a sharp white edge that shows where the nail bed ends and the nail tip begins. It gives the illusion that the nail tips are longer as the white tip gradient fades, avoiding those sharp white lines.

To achieve this look you'll first need to use a good quality base coat and then paint a light pink as a base colour. Once dry, take a makeup sponge and begin layering the pink and white onto the sponge (you can buy these from a dollar shop), overlapping a little. Sponge off the excess onto a piece of paper, and begin dabbing onto the nail. You'll need to build up a few layers until you get the gradient effect, so don't be put off when it doesn't look like the photos after the first application. Be sure to roughly work out how big your nail bed is so you get the whole nail covered in polish. Once completely dry, use a super shiny, fast-dry topcoat and there you have it! This manicure requires a lot of clean-up, so I'd suggest using a liquid tape designed for nail art to protect the cuticles. See the video above for a tutorial to perfect the gradient technique.

Byron Bay’s Spell and The Gypsy Collective

Byron Bay label Spell and the Gypsy Collective has won the kind of loyalty that fills sporting stadiums.
                                             

Founders Elizabeth Abegg and Isabella Pennefather (Spelly) watched as the label blossomed from market stall to staggeringly successful sister act.

Now there are almost 750,000 followers watching the brand’s every move on Instagram alone.

“We do have an amazing community, that’s for sure, and some of them can get very passionate about certain pieces,” creative director Elizabeth says.

For membership into Spell’s stylish bohemian tribe, start by snapping up one of their dreamy feminine maxis.

While floaty fabrics and peek-a-boo lace conjure an endless summer, clever styling will see the look through winter.

“That’s what we love about designing our clothes — they are pieces that can stand alone or they can be totally accessorised,” Elizabeth says.

“We love to add a cool coat, some edgy boots or denim flares to make (lace) a bit less dainty.”

While a Parisian backdrop fit the bill for Spell’s Blue Skies collection featured here, the label’s look is still informed by its home in the Arts & Industry Estate of Byron Bay.

“We employ a team of almost 15 people who work in Byron Bay in our design studio, from pattern makers to textile designers to tech drawers and production,” Elizabeth says.

“But then we try to flip it on its head … in spring we’ve used the clothes we wore when we were five years old as inspiration.

“We have all these photos of Spelly and I in frilly dresses wearing skirts on our heads as veils.