hf BEAUTY
Nail art inspired by the painterly finish of Venetian glassware. Michelle Humphrey, Essie UK ambassador, recreates this season’s most coveted beauty trend
Acacophony of colour and pattern, it’s a far cry from ‘clean girl aesthetic’, ‘glazed donut’, the ‘micro’ or even the ‘muted’ French mani. “We definitely need some maximalist nail art in our lives,” says Michelle Humphrey, multi-awardwinning session and celebrity manicurist. After several seasons of pared-back nails, we spotted more decorative talons backstage at AW23 shows such as Asai, Akris and Acne – from marbling to stippling, broad brushstrokes to delicate veins of colours. Reminiscent of a centuries-old aesthetic, we’re calling it, this is the ‘Murano manicure’ (trademark pending). Possibly the most cultured paint job you’re ever likely to request.
Murano glass is definitely having a fashion moment. Following collaborations with brands such as Jimmy Choo, La DoubleJ and Diptyque, it’s turning up in jewellery collections, homeware edits and at the centre of every swanky tablescape.
Manufactured on the Italian island of Murano, not far from Venice, hand-blown glass dates back to the late 13th century and the original medieval methods have been passed down through generations. Authentic pieces are made using expensive materials, such as the gemstones agate and alexandrite. And there are dozens of decorative markings associated with Murano, from stripes and ridges, to dapples and bubbles.
To create these nail designs, Michelle took inspiration from the luminosity of cristallo (colourless) glass and some of the most collectable mid-century Murano pieces – beads and pendants, vases and votives, mirrors and chandeliers. “Nail tech is constantly evolving,” she explains. “Meaning pros are pushing boundaries and creating manicures that wouldn’t have been possible even ten years ago.”
For a glossy, glass-like finish, start with see-through tips. “This is something you can request from your nail pro,” according to Michelle. “Ask them to create a set of extensions using clear tips or sculpts in clear. And always use a quality top coat, my go-to is Essie’s Gel Couture Clear Top Coat – zero shrinkage and the glassiest, mirror-like shine.”
No two pieces of Murano glass are the same and similarly the style and pattern of each nail can vary – as long as you stick to a core colour palette. “I’m here for these muted, earthy tones,” says Michelle. “Super chic and easy to wear. Shades such as Essie’s Playing Koi, Win Me Over and Expressie Cold Brew Crew have been a huge hit with my A-list clients over the past fe
