If there's one thing I've learned about nail artists, it's that they LOVE sparkle. Contributing editor Winnie Huang was in town and wanted a true L.A. experience. What better way to enteratin a visitng nail artist than take her to an art gallery in L.A.'s Fashion District and shower her with gems? Swarovski showed both of us a preview of the trends in crystal for autumn/winter 2018.

Seeing trends through the lens of a nail artist is an eye-opening experience (pardon the pun). Winnie was instantly drawn to the eye-shaped jewels that came in different colored crystals. Eyes were a common theme at the gallery, with a jeweled headpiece made by the Crystal Ninja herself greeting guests. Eyes were also a style note in Swarovski's presentation. Winnie, who has worked with Libertine designer Johnson Hartig, noted that the eye motif is a runway favorite.

Swarovski identified the follwing sub-themes for fall/winter 2018, which they titled Light and Shadow: Funtasia, Polarization, Nostalgia, Elegantia, and Urbania. Funtasia features multicolored, luxe, customized looks. Polarization speaks to the current obsession with dystopic themes and the willingness to make a political fashion statement.Nostalgia points back to the fun we had as dressing up when we were kids, including an "anything goes" attitude and mixing and matching of prints. Elegantia brings to mind the flapper era with bold, decadent looks. Urbania is gritty with details like barbed wiring, patches, and different uses of sustainability. 

What does this mean for nails? I foresee mixing and matching prints , bright colors, eye motifs (and maybe more cat eyes), patches, and maybe even some barbed wire will be in the mix for 2018.

You can see more on the @nailsmagazine Instagram story, and on Winnie's Instagram Story. 

You'll be seeing even more of Swarovski for nails as they sponsor the pre-challenges for NTNA Season 5 kicking off October 30th! Stay tuned!