Contrast was the name of the game when it came to nails at the New York shows. Looks ranged from light and innocent to dark and dangerously chic this season. There were pretty swan white polishes, barely-there French manicures and buff looks juxtaposed with black vamp shades and medieval "cage” inspired designs.  Balancing out these more extreme styles, we noticed plenty of glamorous metallic varnishes and colourful two-tone manicures that added the perfect pop of sparkle and impact. Pale NailsNeutral, cream colored nails for spring isn’t such a shock—it’s a minimalist trend that’s been gaining momentum since last year but what surprised us was seeing the demure look at shows that normally don’t go in that direction: there were soft milky shades at Marc Jacobs, pure whites at Rag & Bone, and plenty of un-done French mani’s at Chanel. This season, toning down your nails is the new way to play it cool. The Dark SideA dark romantic mood was also noted. From the grayish navy shades at Jason Wu (OPI’s Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees—stockpile it now!) to the purple vinyl at Marchesa (essie Tuxedo), the dark angel look went over big. Flashes of MetallicsGold, silver, cooper—there were no shortage of luxurious finishes at the shows. Standouts included the glam galaxy nails at Nicole Miller, created with a diamond decal, and the sleek platinum racing streak at Monika Chiang. For those who want to experiment with the trend without going too far, try painting just your tips with a bit of sparkle or decorating one or two nails with specks of gold. Two Tone ManicureBold without being too over the top, the dual polish effect got plenty of play at the shows. A new twist on the French manicure, the look is easy to do on your own. Just pick contrasting shades that flatter your skin tone and use a small brush to paint on a graphic style—try a half moon, a vertical split, a V-shape or a diagonal strip. www.harpersbazaar.com