The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Working Closet.
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Jane has a question (and it’s a good one): “Could you suggest a couple of nail polish shades that you’d use for a professional setting, including job interviews and meet and greet events?”
mezmerised by Essie — pretty, but not for the office
In a professional setting, keep your manicure simple; nails should be short and cuticles should be trimmed and pushed back. Skip the dragon lady talons and the disco ball colors — any manicure that Katy Perry is advertising, for example, is inappropriate for an adult woman with a job (or any adult woman, for that matter).
Stick with neutral polishes at work, for a clean, finished look. A neutral manicure shouldn’t match your skin; instead, it should compliment your skin tone without drawing attention to itself. So no hot pink or bright red.
mochacino by Essie — perfect for the office (and beyond)
Essie has a very wearable selection of neutrals, as well as some very pretty pinks. My everyday manicure is typically Essie’s sugar daddy, but I’m also a fan of chinchilly, for a slightly more dramatic look. Keep in mind, though, that I have very fair, cool skin — those shades may not work for you.
Lighter polishes are a good choice for busy moms, as they will hide wear and tear better than something with a richer color. And be sure to finish your manicure with a good top coat — my favorite is Seche Vite, which has a strong, shiny finish.
Finally, if you really want blue nails, feel free to do it up on your toes. A dramatic pedicure is fine for the office, although you might think twice about wearing peep toe shoes to a big presentation if you’re sporting a crazy color on your toenails. For pedicure colors, though, think more about your field than about any hard-and-fast rules. I typically opt for black toe nails, which is fine for the meetings I go to. A dramatic red pedi is appropriate in even the most conservative office, as it is a classic; for creative types, blue or green nails may be totally acceptable. You have a lot more leeway, honestly, with toes.
What’s your go-to polish for professional functions?
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OPI bubble bath or passion. Though sometimes I’ll do a dark red not RED but something with brown undertones. I have darker skin so it doesn’t look too harsh.
Heather B. | March 18th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I wonder how many things I’ve bought because you wrote about them? I was just at Target and picked up Sugar Daddy. (And then gave myself a manicure in the carpool line.) Love it! Then there was mascara, foundation, a sweater, those sequin shorts… You really should get a commission.
Sue | March 18th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Firstly, I want to say I am so glad someone else knows about Seche Vite…..I have the top coat/quick dry and I kid you not, my nails dry in under a minute. This is so important to me because I am so impatient when it comes to allow my nails to dry.
Now back to the topic. I totally agree however, it is a pain to change your polish just for work. I guess too, it depends on the type of job you have. When it comes to meetings or interviews there is never and exception, neutral colors are the only way to go.
Stephanie Clay | March 21st, 2011 at 10:05 am
One of my co-workers came in today with green nails. So, I guess it’s all in how you carry it off! And, maybe your position in the office. I usually don’t get manicures. If I do, I stick to either the pale shades like Sugar Daddy or shades like You Don’t Know Jacque. I do like deep purple though.
txelz | March 21st, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I’m currently loving Revlon’s Grey Suede for a subtle, natural look. (http://www.drugstore.com:80/revlon-nail-enamel-gray-suede-705/qxp332828?fromsrch=revlon+grey+suede)
Heidi/The Closet Coach | March 23rd, 2011 at 11:14 am
I present nationally for a living in a pretty conservative field, but I actually still go for either very dark or bright nails. I DO, however, have artificial nails that I keep short and well-manicured. I avoid any patterns or designs. I get many compliments on the colors, especially my old standby for the past couple of years, OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, a deep shade of purple. It’s my nod to goth. I’ve been trying the new “greige” colors (the gray/beige mix, which people also like and it seems to blend well with most clothing options, but I just really like dark nails. I’m fair-skinned and brunette.
Trish | March 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 pm