It’s so easy to get stuck in a nail rut. Nudes and pale pinks seem the perfect fit for every occasion, and hey, we don’t have anything against a glossy peach slick of polish. But if you’ve picked up this week’s issue of Grazia, you’ll know that summer 2013 is all about colour. Be brave. Be bold. Go seriously loud, and colour block!

If you haven’t already garnered enough inspiration from our gorgeous Manicure Monday posts, here are some ideas from Mavala’s Professional Manager Lynn Gray on getting colour happy this summer. Begin by getting nails polish ready with a mini-mani:

5 Simple Steps To The Perfect Mini-Mani

1. Prepare nails with nail polish remover to take off any old polish as well as oil and dirt.
2. Gently push back cuticles with a soft-tipped cuticle stick and file nails to your desired shape.
3. Apply a protective basecoat such as Mavala’s 002 Base Coat, £11.85 to help the polish last and prevent staining.
4. Using long strokes apply your chosen polish down the centre of the nail in one stroke from base to tip, leaving a small space between polish and cuticle. Apply the polish width ways to the cuticle base, stopping just short of the cuticle.  To finish, stroke on both sides of the nail from base to the tip, avoiding the cuticle. Repeat for two coats of colour.
5. After your polish has dried apply a top coat such as Mavala Colorfix Top Coat, £11.00 to prevent chipping and enhance your nail colour.  To finish use Mavala’s Oil Seal Dryer, £11.85, which leaves nails touch-dry in seconds and nourishes cuticles.

Lynn Gray is all for vivid brights on nails this season. She says ‘Add a bright pop of colour; I love bright oranges, greens and blues. Try Mavala nail polish in Jaipur – a bright orange, or Trinidad a vibrant turquoise blue from Mavala’s new Chilli & Spice Collection, £4.50 each.  Either wear them on their own or if you want to be more creative try an ombre effect, colour blocking, or a mix and match French Manicure’.

Well we’re convinced! Take a look at our gallery for some of the most sizzling nail shades around this summer…

by Annie Vischer.