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There's nothing quite like the anxiety of being faced with a wall of nail polish colors and having to choose just one. How's a girl to decide? Turns out, your location has a lot to do with it. As with most trends, different regions adopt different fads, so we chatted up Nonie Crème, the founder and creative director of Color Prevails, to get the scoop on which nail colors are popular across the USA.
Phoenix - Bright Pink
Phoenix is the third sunniest city in America (Arizonans, before you object, Yuma, Arizona is number one). The clear skies are clearly an influence because Creme says desert beauties prefer proper pink shades like this one--Nonie Creme Colour Prevails' in "Daddy's Girl"--which is flying off shelves.
New York City - Red
The City That Never Sleeps needs a nail color that will transcend of-the-moment trends--because no one here has time for daily manicures. "Power colors reign in NYC," Creme said. "While NYC women still gravitate towards an all-black outfit, they're not afraid to wear a bold, 'show 'em who is boss' manicure. Think dark, vampy hues and deep, candy-apply reds."
butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Pillar Box Red ($15)
Dallas - Pastel Pink
"Southern girls have always, and I think will always, love lady-like pinks and pastel shades," Creme says. "But don't let Dallas fool you--she'll go for a pop of color here and there! Coral and turquoise are also very popular."
Formula X The Colors in Intensity - powder pink ($10.50)
Miami - Bright Coral & Neons
Miami is the land of pure, unbridled fun. Sexy nights out on Ocean Drive call for notice-me neon nails. "I was just in Miami for an in-store Walgreens event and brights were the clear crowd favorite," Creme said. "Think bright and bold corals and neons."
NAILS INC. Neon Nail Polish in Westbourne Grove - neon orange/yellow ($5, down from $9.50)
Los Angeles
Everything in Los Angeles is more alive and electric. You never know — in a land where standing out and getting noticed could mean a star-turning opportunity, many women eagerly embrace their quirky sides. "When I was out in LA connecting with Walgreen's Beauty Advisers, we found that our electric blue shade was extremely popular and extremely fitting," Creme says. "The 'Reality Star' Nail Lacquer is a huge hit in LA/Hollywood."
Chicago - Sheer Pink
Women of the Windy City seem to be divided when it comes to their nail preferences. "The ladies of Chicago either opt for a traditional, no-fuss mani (think barely-there pinks) or deep, working girl hues like hunter green or navy blue," Creme says.
Deborah Lippmann Sheer Nail Lacquer in Baby Love ($18)
Atlanta - Turquoise
Atlanta women don't scare easily--and they never turn down an opportunity to experiment with fun, bright nail shades, according to Creme. Brights and pastel colors are big news in The ATL, with turquoise and electric blue leading the pack.
NARS Nail Polish in Ikiru ($20)
Las Vegas - Metallics
Is it any surprise that Vegas ladies want their nails to look party-ready at all times? "Pulling an all-nighter calls for glitter, metallic, and head-turning shades," Creme says.
Julep Color Treat Nail Polish in Zelda ($14)
San Francisco - Nude & Neutrals
Chalk it up to the unpredictable weather--L.A.'s neighbors to the north are more low-key and conservative in their nail polish choices, possibly because they secretly yearn for hues that reflect the awesome fog that often blankets their city. "The women of San Francisco love a great neutral--taupe, beige, and grays," Creme says.
Dolce & Gabbana The Nail Lacquer in 105 Perfection ($25.50)
Boston - Plum
Boston beauties are toned down in their approach to makeup, but not so conservative that they aren't willing to experiment with classy jewel colors. This plum shade by RGB is reportedly one of the city's most requested hues.
