Dans Papers - June 1, 2007 - Come Hither Hues

Everyone talks about "sandal season," and, no doubt, nail salon patronage skyrockets during the first few weeks of summer. But standing in a crowded cocktail lounge, it is not, in fact, your toes that get you noticed. Now, I'm not at all dismissing the benefits of a good restorative pedicure, for nothing destroys the debut of a new pair of Louboutins than - dare I say - cracked heels. But a new acquaintance is far more likely to notice the impeccable delicacy of your hands, be it a delicious young man at a poolside bar or a lady of leisure at the country club. And while we seem to care for our fingernails throughout the winter months, with routine cuticle care and subtle coats of clear polish, come summer our toes get all the TLC, with regular buffing, massaging and colors that would make a garden look dull.

It's time to shake it up a bit and start flaunting your fingers with eye-catching, come-hither red. Perhaps it is because a red nail polish required mother's permission (or expertise) as a child, but there is still something undeniably daring about having red nails. And what better time to try it than as a topcoat to the dress you've been saving for this weekend's (third) summer kick-off soiree.

Which was my thought exactly when planning my own little bash. Well, not exactly. When proudly presenting a colleague with a preview of the dress I had finally selected for my event, she asked, "Are you going to paint your nails bright red like the model in the picture?" Bashfully admitting to my fashion-futuristic friend that I had not really considered the detail, I referred back to the mental note I had made during the first month of our acquaintance - do whatever this woman says. Agreeing that red nails would indeed compliment my "look at me" yellow dress, I scheduled a manicure into my day of party prepping.

Now, the last time I dabbled in the red arts - on my toes, which is best for a test run - I was sunbathing on my allotted 25 Euro chaise in Cannes, when I was informed by a robust Italian gentleman cozying up to me that he had known since the moment he saw me that I could not possibly be French because I was wearing red nail polish. Ever since then, it had been Marshmallow, a nearly white polish, and Ballet Slipper, an undetectably pinker hue, for me, pursuing a more classically chic and subtly elegant regime for both mani and pedi.

But hostessing can certainly put a dose of boldness in you and, armed with an honest friend, I went out to my local pseudo-spa to find that special shade of scarlet. Scanning the rows of bottles in search of a color akin to a pair of red satin shoes in my closet, there I found it - my color of the season. Now, ladies, the winter of Wicked is behind us, and it is time to opt for a color that is more appropriate for summer's cheerful wardrobe. For me, that color is A-List. Bright enough to stand up to a fancy yellow frock, but still deeply seductive, A-List was just the dose of cheekiness I was looking for.

However, any woman who has every experimented with an out-of-character color is all too familiar with the feeling of looking down at your hands and, like an infant, having difficulty recognizing that they are, in fact, attached to your body and not someone else's. But after owning my new nails, come Monday morning I noticed every woman around me was sporting bright shades of glowing red. Whether they were topping off a simple black skirt suit, or a breezy white dress, no doubt red fingernails had become the chosen accessory of the season.

For the fingernail forecast of the "red nail trend," the berry hues that are so popular right now will soon be heading towards a tropical, near tangerine. Now, I know that may sound a bit Boca, but these citrus shades, without crossing the line to orange, actually compliment a summer palette quite well. For those who follow the Chanel limited edition craze like a Proenza Schouler for Target dress, the new Wicked is a juicy coral called Heatwave, or try the peachier Orange Blossom. Personally, I'll be taking the tangerine turnover a little more slowly with a color Tracy Reese designed for Sally Hansen called Flame, which is sunnier than my newly beloved rich red, while still in the scarlet family.

So while some say blondes have more fun, I say it's the girls who aren't afraid to be just a little cheeky and glam it up with a show stopping manicure. But watch out, you'll be sure to start some fires.