Baby Boomer Nails

Since last year, baby boomer nails, also known as French Fade, have been all the rage in France and Germany. And if you just asked yourself, «what the heck are baby boomer nails and why is a nail trend coming from Europe?» Here is your answer: Baby boomer nails are the perfect blend of minimal nail art and the classic French manicure providing an ombré look that is less bold and more sophisticated.

Step 1: The white colour is applied with a sponge-like tool to the tip.

The name derives from the Baby Boom generation that is most often defined as those individuals born between 1946 and 1964 who grew up at a time of dramatic social change, widely associated with privilege. The term itself refers to a noticeable increase in the birth rate after World War II. In this time of the baby boom, the most popular nail colours were besides red, frosted pinks and whites. So for reasons that seem obvious this is why the ombré trend was named because of the era the polish colours were most popular.

Step 2: A thin layer of pink gel is applied and afterwards filed into the perfect shape.

If you want to get on board with the baby boomer look but don’t know how you’ll explain it to your manicurist, here is how my beloved nail artist Megan Stadler does it. These are her pro tips to take to your next appointment in case you are not living in Zurich, otherwise call her for under +41 79 425 8868. I have gel nails (love how long-lasting they are) but you can of course also achieve the look with regular nail polish.

Step 3: A pink gloss for the ultimate shine.

It’s a timeless and elegant look, soft pink fading into frosted white tips. The shape of the nail is up to you. There’s something romantic about it, perfect for a wedding. I am totally in love and you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht 

Ombre Nails

Ombre Nails

Bring the ombre trend right down to your nails and try rocking something with a gradient! You have two options: Either you take two nail polish colours and apply both in a fading effect or you try the easier way by using five different hues from the same colour family (see below).

I created this ombre effect by choosing five different shades (307 Orange Fizz, 539 June, 535 May, 537 Riviera and 533 April), then I started at the darkest point on my thumb and gradually worked my way to my pinky. The key to making this manicure look not like a kindergardener’s paint-by-number project, is choosing the right colours. This pastel version looks pretty sophisticated, don’t you think? 
And now, we finally know what to do with all those nail polishes we have been collecting over the past years!

LoL, Sandra

Ombrenails4Polishes OmbrénailsPhotos: © Sandra Bauknecht