Duck Nails Invade the O.C.

Orange Country, Calif., has not only spawned a successful teen TV show, it’s spawned a teen nail trend as well. Teens and 20-sometimes are flocking to neighborhood discount salons for “duck nails,” a flared nail reminiscent of a duck’s splayed foot. The look has become so popular at Lake Forest, Calif.-based Pacific World Corporation is soon to release a full-cover (glue-on) nail tip in that style.

Helen Nguyen, a nail technician at Haircrafters in Laguna Hills, Calif., creates the unusual shape using an over-sized nail tip. “Taper the sidewall area to fit the nail bed and then add extra acrylic to build up the free edge into a flared shape,” explains Nguyen. “I usually airbrush a French manicure or nail art: otherwise it doesn’t look right.”