tyler joe
“People are watching my nails,” says Anna DeGuzman, a 21-year-old rising magician and expert at cardistry—what she describes as “the art of manipulating playing cards to create beautiful, intricate displays.” All she needs is a deck to captivate you with mesmerizing flips, spins, isolations, and shuffles. Presentation, down to the nails, is everything. “I make videos, so people are going to watch my hands,” she says. “Most people who do cardistry don’t think about it.” Then again, most people in her field aren’t women.
“I didn’t have a female magician to look up to. There’s Copperfield. There’s Blaine. All these men,” DeGuzman, who started doing cardistry in 2014 after learning from YouTube, says. She claims she was even unsure of how to style herself for performances because she didn’t have examples. “When I first started going to any magic convention or event, no one assumed I was a magician. You are seen as the assistant…I honestly love the underestimation,” she says. “The idea of a magician in the public’s mind is an old white man in a suit, gloves—super corny. I want to reinvent that image.”
“The idea of a magician in the public’s mind is an old white man in a suit, gloves—super corny. I want to reinvent that image.”
Enter: Really dope nails. She’s made it a point to have them done and will match black almond-shaped nails with a black deck, pearly nude with Savage x Fenty cards, and holographic silver polish with ’90s Solo cup-inspired cards. Who better than her to model Fall 2019’s biggest nail trends? Ahead, we pair her best tricks with nail artist Jessica Washick (who, by day, is a Senior Color Designer at Nike) and the two together is nothing short of, well, magic.
Hear more below from Washick on what nail art is trending big this season: from simple to ornate, with inspiration from both runways and Instagram. Go ahead and pick a color, any color…
24 Karat
Feeling good gold as hell? Lean into being extra: Washick says dimensional glitter will be a big trend this season. “Metallics are always popular in fall, but gold has been all over the runways and texture has been huge in nail art. I predict these two will merge together for fall.” she says. Gold-dipped digits were certainly a hit at fall 2019 shows like Preen (where we saw gold half moons), Kate Spade and Moschino (both showcased gold glitter topcoats), and Asai (gold leaf all over the nails and fingers).
Jessica’s Pro Tips:
- Layering is the trick here. Try playing with a variety of glitters in varying thickness.
- Use a couple different gold glitter polishes—no loose glitter necessary—to get this finish.
- Dab on some nail glue and top with Swarovski [crystals] or other golden studs to add in even more dimension.
3D Pearl
Pearls have been gaining popularity in nail art, including at fall 2019 shows like Rodarte (where single pearls were placed below the nail bed), Adeam (various pearls all over long almond nails), and Fashion East (tiny pearls all over the nails and fingers). “Pearls really amp up a manicure of any color,” Washick says. “They feel luxe without being over the top since they’re not super light-catching like crystals.”
Another unique element of this trend is how the 3D embellishments have moved beyond the nail bed onto the fingers like you’re wearing invisible rings. Consider it a new take on accessorizing.
“Pearls really amp up a manicure of any color,” Washick says. “They feel luxe without being over the top since they’re not super light-catching like crystals.”
Jessica’s Pro Tips:
- The key with applying 3D accessories to your nails is to use a wooden stick with wax on one end to help pick up and set down pearls without too much fuss.
- You can get pearls at any craft store (some are even adhesive—make sure to use those only on dry nails), or loosely interpret the trend with a pearly white polish.
Multi-Mani
If you feel like your feed has been flooded with Skittles manicures—meaning a different shade on every nail—this summer, you’re not alone. “Ombré bright, vibrant colors have been really popular. this summer. The trend still feels fresh for fall,” Washick says. However, unlike the rainbow primary hues we saw on models’ nails at United Colors of Benetton’s Fall 2019 show, she suggests toning things down to “more muted or darker colors,” which feels more wearable—even for conservative office environments.
Jessica’s Pro Tips:
- Color choice is key to pull this off. Start by pairing similar colors together that are just slight shades off from warmer, to cooler, darker to brighter
- If it feels right, add in different hues and finishes too.
- Mix in metallic sheens alongside standard lacquers.
French Redux
“The 2000s have been coming back into view, and with this, French manicures have been prevalent on celebrity nails,” Washick says.
Recent celeb fans include Bella and Gigi Hadid and Ariana Grande.”With this look we’re capturing the look of the French, but adding on some personality.” This time around, the traditional stark white and square-tipped shape is reinvented with touches of minimalist nail art or in fresher nail shapes like coffin and almond tips. In fact, 2000s icon Paris Hilton wore the latter shaped French mani on The Blonds’ fall 2019 runway.
“The 2000s have been coming back into view, and with this, French manicures have been prevalent on celebrity nails,” Washick says.
Jessica’s Pro Tips:
- Get creative with the white tip on your French manicure. Maybe it varies in thickness, or is shadowed be a tiny thin line.
- If you’d rather stick with a classic French, you can just add on a crystal embellishment for a little bit more oomph.
Photography and video by Tyler Joe | Styled by Justine Carreon | Hair and makeup by Nina Soriano | Nails by Jessica Washick | Talent is Anna DeGuzman at Magic Nights | Production by Emilie Benyowitz