---

If you're having trouble figuring out how to decorate your nails for Spring 2014, Nail Trends & Care Expert Katie Saxton has the scoop on the hottest nail styles.
 
According to Katie, 2014 is all about being artistic and showing off your fashionable ingenuity. This means out with the dark and neutral polishes we all went gaga over in 2013 and in with stripes and colorful designs! Below is Katie's quick list of the top nail trends that will help you turn heads at all of the New Year's fashionable soirees and social gatherings!  All designs are featured on the one-of-a-kind Custom Nail Solutions nails.
 
White With Flair:Solid white nails featuring small adornments, such as thin colored stripes, polka-dotted bases, or small gems, will be all the rage. White nail polishes exude elegance and class, and the small ornamentation adds just the perfect pop of pizazz!
 
Distinctive Metallic Polishes: Shiny gold, copper, and silver polishes were huge last year. This trend will continue in a whole new way in 2014! Metallic polishes in unique hues like champagne and rose gold will pop up on the hands of fab fashionistas everywhere! This look goes great with your favorite little black dress!
 
Stylish Stripes: The year 2014 is all about stripes. Whether they are wide or thin, glittery or matte, or vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, striped nail art will be one of the top nail trends. Use a nail polish pen or tape to make sure your stripes are sleek, straight, and stylish!
 
Petite Pastels: Pretty and feminine pastel polishes like lilac, lavender, light blue, pastel pink, and pale yellow will be a major nail trend this season. Any of these polishes will show off your sweet and fashionable side, and they will add stylish color to any everyday outfit!
 
Suspended Half Moon Mani: One of the biggest nail trends recently was the half moon mani featuring a colored half moon base set against a contrasting background. This one-of-a-kind nail trend has a whole new look now. Paint your nails nude and let dry, add a white semi circle half moon base on each nail, and add a clear topcoat to complete the look. The white moon will look like it is floating against the neutral background!
 
Canvas For Creativity: Another major trend will be using your nails as a canvas for your artistic imagination. Jazz up your nails to your heart’s desire and draw intricate nail polish designs (like cartoon characters or colorful tribal patterns!), glue on sequins and nail gems, add lace embellishments, and change the nail texture with matte polish! You can also add fun little adornments like rhinestones, feathers, and tiny buttons! This is your chance to show off your imaginative side and ingenuity with your nails!
 
New-Age French Tip: One of 2014’s biggest nail trends is the modern French manicure, where the nail tips feature a thin stripe of color set against a contrasting-colored background. For the contemporary French manicure, you can also choose to keep the nails nude and add a thin stripe of any color along each nail tip. This is a sophisticated and elegant manicure that will go great with all attire, whether that be a business casual outfit or a colorful cocktail dress!
 
Barely-There Ombré: A popular nail style now is an ombré manicure featuring an understated, barely-there transition from light to dark. Once others notice the slight change in nail polish hues, they will applaud you for your originality! 
 
Sparkly Splotches: Glitter it up! In 2014, a huge trend is painting the nails a solid color then adding a patch of sparky polish in the same spot on every nail. You can place the glitter splotch wherever you choose, but make sure it is in the exact same spot for every nail. This will create the most chic, fun, and fashionable effect!
 
About the author
Katie Saxton is the president of CustomNailSolutions, a renowned blogger, and regular contributor to TV, radio, print  and online media, on topics of nail beauty, nail care and trends.