Get Gorgeous: Summer Nails

Nail polish might not seem as obviously seasonal as other aspects of your beauty routine, but give it some thought. Who cares what color your toes are when they're hidden inside winter boots? You bare your toes more in the summer, so it makes sense to put a bit more pep into your pedicure. And when you have fewer clothes on, any color on your fingernails will stand out more.

So what's hot? Navy blues and dark purples, as seen on Ms. Lauren Conrad, are particularly trendy right now. Light, bright, and electric blues are also fun choices. Canary yellow is still going strong, as are orange and tangerine, especially among younger starlets like Jordin Sparks. Not brave enough to go quite that bright? Coral is a great compromise.

Finger Tips

Once you've chosen your summer colors, make sure they go on well and stay put for as long as possible. Keep your fingertips and toes tip-top with these tips:

1. Did you know nail polish has a shelf life? Most brands don't last much more than a year, and heat is bad for polish, so keep it in the fridge during the summer.

2. Don't shake the bottle before applying polish -- it just creates air bubbles, which can end up on your nails.

3. Be sure to apply both a base coat and a top coat, even if you're in a rush. And don't use fast-drying polish: It's much likelier to peel, so it won't save you time in the long run.

4. Finally, if you want pretty hands and feet without risking harm to your health or the planet, look for polish that's free of formaldehyde, toluene, and the chemical DBP. Brands that do the trick without any of these substances include Priti, Nubar, and Spa Ritual.