Half Moon Manicure: Hot or Not?

Posted by Cathy | Monday January 10, 2011

Popular in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, the Half Moon Manicure is a hot nail trend that resurfaced on the Fall/Winter 2009 RTW catwalks but has been slow to gain mainstream attention. Championed by Ruffian and early adopters Dior and Thakoon, we saw on runways again for Spring 2011 - but this time, it's getting nods beyond the beauty blogger posse.

Dubbed "the Ruffian" for the label's loyalty to the trend (pictured: Ruffian Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011)

Thakoon Fall 2009, Dior Fall 2009, Vena Cava Spring 2011

Celeb fans Mya, Dita Von Teese, and Ciara (hand)

What may seem impossible to recreate at home (especially for those among us whose basic technique needs professional intervention), try these simple steps to DIY the Half Moon Mani:

Step 1: Paint your entire nail the colour you want your half-moon to be. For a more understated look, choose a clear base coat instead of bold colour.

*image credit (right): GorgeousGlam

Step 2: Allow the nail to dry completely, then use hole reinforcement stickers and place them on the base of your nails. Recreate the classic Ruffian look as shown, or use french manicure tip guides placed upside down (like a smile) along the cuticle edge to achieve the "lunar landing" version as demonstrated in Ruffian's Fall 2010 look (top).

Step 3: With your other colour, paint only above the sticker. Wait for the polish to dry before removing the sticker.

Step 4: Apply a clear topcoat, if desired.

What's your verdict - is the Half Moon Mani hot or not? A few of our blogger besties predict this might be The Look for 2011.

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20 Comments

	on August 17, 2011 AlexJC 50 said: I was a bit slow on the uptake here but I am excited to try this look out. Maybe I will pick some hole reinforces up on the way home!
	on August 08, 2011 Chick1289 1,603 said: I need to try this asap!!
	on May 12, 2011 HappiestG said: I have always loved this look! It was featured in Sassy magazine back in 1990. But even though it looks easy to do with reinforcements, I can barely paint my nails one color. Does anyone know of a salon in Calgary that will do this type of manicure? I tried Urban Venus but no luck with the lady who did my nails
	on March 10, 2011 LaurenBlair 128 said: @Deja Chick - how did they turn out? I'm waiting for my nails to get a little longer and then I'm going to try this out.
	on March 09, 2011 Deja Chick said: When I was in my teens, back in the 80s this was a look for one summer. I loved it then, and I love it now! Thanks for the tip, I am going to give it a go tonight!
	on January 15, 2011 Newfiescreech 4,264 said: WOW !! i love this half moon manicure ..i will try this very soon ..excellent tip with those reinforcement labels .
	on January 15, 2011 louee 228 said: although the hole reinforcement sticker is brilliant, the look just doesn't interest me...I'm sure the younger generation would wear it much better than some of us old gals lol
	on January 15, 2011 prettyrainbow 21,020 said: Looks very simple to achieve! Thanks for the great tips!
	on January 14, 2011 Ali de Bold STAFF said: The sticker idea is brilliant. I see nail technicians doing this free hand and think I'd never be able to do that! The stickers I could do.
	on January 12, 2011 cathy3087 98 said: It didn't take me long to warm up to this look! My favourite is the colours used at the Vena Cava show!