I don't know about you, but for me September was one big blur. Keeping up with the 'big four' Fashion Weeks (<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/2012-spring-fashion-week/">New York, London, Milan and Paris</a>) is always daunting—there are the endless tweets to read, livestreams to watch and photo galleries to click through. And that's just to check out the hair and makeup! Now that Paris has wrapped up and we're just about to head into Toronto (come on, you can do it!), I've had a chance to get a closer look at an emerging Fashion Week beauty category: nail art! Here are the top 10 manicures I'm obsessing over right now. <!--more-->
<h2>1.<strong>The Ombré Mani at Jen Kao:</strong></h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Jen-Kao-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19379" title="Jen Kao - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Jen-Kao-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Jen Kao - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="800" /></a>

This past summer, there was an insane number of girls rocking their roots for the Ombré hair trend... and I’m here to say, dear hipsters, it’s over, done and (fingers crossed) dead. (Michelle did declare its 15 minutes were up <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2011/01/05/ombre-hair-colour-your-15-minutes-are-up-at-least-on-my-head-heres-why-i-ditched-it/">way back in January</a>.) But these Ombré nails from <a href="htp://beautyeditor.ca/tag/jen-kao/">Jen Kao</a> are a whole different story. I love the way the electric blue pops on the black base. Plus, I think this could be a pretty easy DIY job—no precision or clean lines necessary.

<strong>How they did it:</strong> <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/cnd/">CND</a> mixed BlackJack and Inkwell for the base and then layered Anchor Blue on top.
<h2>2. The Striped Mani at Gareth Pugh:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Gareth-Pugh-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19381" title="Gareth Pugh - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Gareth-Pugh-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Gareth Pugh - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="800" /></a>

I’m a total sucker for stripes, so when I saw these digits I was instantly drawn in. They’re extra-large, cover the nail bad AND part of the finger, and have an exaggerated almond shape. In other words, they’re completely impractical. But if you toned down the size, I think this could make for a super-chic mani.

<strong>How they did it:</strong> Custom Minx Nails.
<h2>3.  The Mini Silhouette Mani at Prabal Gurung:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Prabal-Gurung-Spring-2012-beauty1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19382" title="Prabal Gurung - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Prabal-Gurung-Spring-2012-beauty1.jpg" alt="Prabal Gurung - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="450" /></a>

Okay, so this is definitely one of the looks I'll painstakingly try to do myself—I'm thinking a lot of tape and 3-hole punch reinforcements will be involved. It's as if you've painted your nails once and then double-dipped them, leaving a thin frame around the edge of the bed.

<strong>How they did it:</strong> <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/sally-hansen/">Sally Hansen</a> in Lacy Lilac for the base and topped with Loves-Me-Not.
<h2>4. The Checkerboard Mani at Nicole Miller:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Nicole-Miller-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19383" title="Nicole Miller - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Nicole-Miller-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Nicole Miller - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="800" /></a>

The number of colour combos I could do with this mani are endless. How awesome would a checkerboard look with contrasting matte and glossy squares? The pattern is simple, so it doesn't read obnoxious or too juvenile.

<strong>How they did it:</strong> <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/cnd/">CND</a> Raspberry Parfait and a custom blue made by mixing Anchor Blue, Dark Ruby, Electric Purple and a blue pigment. Topped with one layer of Ice Blue Shimmer.
<h2>5. The Talon Mani at Cushnie et Ochs:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Cushnie-et-Ochs-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19384" title="Cushnie et Ochs - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Cushnie-et-Ochs-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Cushnie et Ochs - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="450" /></a>

When I think of stiletto-like nails, someone dressed in a bad <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/lady-gaga/">Lady Gaga</a> costume usually comes to mind. But here, I have to say, they kind of appeal to me. Maybe it's the neutral colour doing it, but this version seems less scary and way more wearable.

<strong>How they did it:</strong> <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/dashing-diva/">Dashing Diva</a> in in Mr.Right, mixed with mineral makeup to match the model's skin tone.
<h2>6. The V-Shaped Half-Moon Mani at Pamela Love:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Pamela-Love-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19385" title="Pamela Love - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Pamela-Love-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Pamela Love - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="450" /></a>

The half-moon manicure has been kicking around for a few seasons now and though it's still a fave of mine, I'm glad to see it with a new edge. Love's collection was inspired by bohemian Morocco and by squaring off the nail tips,  the look feels very tribal.

<strong>How they did it: </strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/essie/">Essie</a> Topless and Barefoot for the base and Little Brown Dress for the rest of the nail bed.
<h2>7. The Gold Metallic Mani at Lela Rose:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Lela-Rose-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19386" title="Lela Rose - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Lela-Rose-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Lela Rose - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="800" /></a>

Glittery gold polishes were seen on a bunch of runway digits during the spring '12 shows (whether as an accent, half-moon or for modern tips). A shimmering gold-beige metallic mani is universally flattering, because it pulls out both gold and silver tones—making it warm AND cool, at the same time. Besides, who doesn't like to look at shiny things all day?

<strong>How they did it:</strong> <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/deborah-lippmann/">Deborah Lippmann</a> in Believe.
<h2>8. The Classic Red Mani at Jason Wu:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Jason-Wu-Spring-2012-beauty1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19387" title="Jason Wu - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Jason-Wu-Spring-2012-beauty1.jpg" alt="Jason Wu - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="450" /></a>

Red will always be a mainstay, but to me the same-old, same-old can get a bit boring. The orangey-tomato hue (it almost looks coral) is so vibrant and bright, I can't help but smile.  I'm also really into the slight almond shape going on here. And if you're digging the matchy-matchy lip colour, <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/2011/10/03/paris-ss-12-jadore-dior%E2%80%94because-these-are-the-lips-and-nails-of-my-dreams-yes-matchy-matchy-is-back-if-you-dare/">check out this similar look at Dior</a>.

<strong>How they did it: </strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/opi/">OPI</a> in Monsooner or Later.
<h2>9. The Lucite and Lace Mani at Joy Cioci:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Joy-Cioci-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19388" title="Joy Cioci - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/Joy-Cioci-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="Joy Cioci - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="800" /></a>

Yup, those are clear falsies with lace detailing you're witnessing. While the lattice work is really pretty, for real life not all of us will want to commit to wearing a clear tip.

<strong>How they did it: </strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/cnd/">CND</a> clear tips and hand-crafted lattice work.
<h2>10. The Nude Mani at VPL:</h2>
<a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/VPL-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19390" title="VPL - Spring 2012 beauty" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/VPL-Spring-2012-beauty.jpg" alt="VPL - Spring 2012 beauty" width="600" height="450" /></a>

The nude mani trend doesn't seem to be losing steam—a good thing for me, because I just hopped onto the bandwagon (for now at least). VPL's collection was all about the bod and in keeping with that theme, nails were simply in the buff.

<strong>How they did it: </strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/butter-london/">Butter London</a> nail foundation as a base and topped with Tea with the Queen.

<strong><em>Nicole Pajak is a Toronto-based writer. Follow her on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/nicolepajak" target="_blank">@nicolepajak</a>.</em></strong>

Tell us:

Are you still feeling the nail art trend?
Which Fashion Week look is your favourite?
Would you give any of these looks a DIY attempt?