Kailey Strachan for E! OnlineThe epic nail art explosion that has endured season after season for the past six years is likely to go down as one of the biggest beauty looks of the decade. And while we love a hit of glitter and perfectly-replicated iconography as much as the next girl, the non-stop parade of delightfully wack-a-doo nails has us reaching for a palate cleanser.
We're not alone. This spring, some of the most appealing nail polish offerings aren't made with newfangled finishes (caviar, anyone?) or shocking color, but consist of clean, simple formulas in faded, prismatic washes.
"Muted shades are next on the agenda," said Dineh Mohajer, creator of nail polish line Smith & Cult, whose fans include Mindy Kaling and Mandy Moore. "They're both refined enough to wear to meetings, yet fashion-y."
For Mohajer, soft grey is the new neutral. "Many women can't necessarily wear colors that are too statement-worthy to an office, but can easily don a muted grey at work and then go straight to cocktails without giving it a second thought," she added.
Beiges may get a bad rap for being boring, but the new neutrals aren't the same subdued shades that our conservative sisters have worn in the past.
Celebrity manicurist and polish maven Deborah Lippmann, who has created looks for Lupita Nyong'o and Lady Gaga, notes that the modern way to do faded nails isn't about reverting to clean and pristine classics hues.
"I think our interpretation of what is a ‘neutral' or ‘nude' is broadening. We are finally open to a hint of color, wearing something a bit muddier, playing with different finishes," she said.
Lippmann's Whisper collection was inspired by a quite-yet-dramatic fashion show moment in which she noticed light cascading through models' chiffon garments as they walked backstage. She is so taken with the softer palette that she plans to release "Undressed," a six-piece collection of nudes in the fall.
We're just as entranced with many of the lighter shades released for spring, including Like Dreamers Do (a white-washed mauve) and Misty Morning (a diluted blue) from Lippman's line. Also in heavy rotation is Smith & Cult's The Graduate, a dusty shade, which was inspired by the classic 1967 film of the same name. Mohajer said she re-discovered the film and its iconic beauty look when playing hookey from a baby shower.
Just like the new bob is tousled and of-the-moment ensembles look better with a bit of slouch, the best new nail colors take simple, streamlined styling and moves the dial slightly off center for an entirely fresh feel.
Topshop Nail Polish in Prouette, $8; Deborah Lippman Nail Color in Misty Morning, $18; Sonia Kashuk Nail Color in In The Flesh, $5; Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in The Graduate, $18