For the past few seasons, New York Fashion Week has dominated in the nails department, and if the recently concluded Spring 2014 shows are anything to go by, there’s no doubt that nail art is alive and well.

From the Frida Kahlo-inspired designs at Rebecca Minkoff to the instant cult classic manicures at Ruffian, matte finishes, two-tone manicures with bright and punchy polishes have emerged as the trends for spring. One of our favourite looks this season is a modern take on the classic half-moon manicure.

The crescent design first originated in the 1930s and designers like Peter Som, Lela Rose, Jenni Kayne, Alice + Olivia, Milly and Desigual have given the look new life by incorporating bold colours and modern finishes. Itching to try it yourself? Fashionista Lauren Conrad shows how to get this awe-inspiring runway look at home in eight easy steps!

You will need:

A pack of hole-punch reinforcement stickers. STEPS: Choose your style Start with clean, dry, filed nails Apply coat of choice Reinforcement sticker Second colour Peel stickers off nail Finish

A good base coat. Two contrasting, opaque

polish colours (try to pick  shades that are opaque with just one coat).

TIP:Your nails must be dry before you place the reinforcement stickers on them, or the stickers will peel off the polish and you will have to start all over again.

At Lela Rose and Jenni Kayne, manicurists stuck to neutral tones while Peter Som’s models wore the blue and green lacquers from his Zoya collaboration, but the biggest switch-up we’ve seen so far has to go to Desigual, where lead manicurist Keri Blair created a reverse half-moon effect — with the moon shape painted on the tips of the nails.

Apply one to two coats of the base coat to your entire nail. Let the polish dry for at least 30 minutes.

Apply one coat of the colour you want for the half-moon part of your manicure. We suggest using the lighter of the two colours for the half-moon. Top coat Apply a thin layer of top coat and let dry.

Once nails are completely dry, place a reinforcement sticker on each nail, mimicking the shape of the moon of your nail. Cutting a slit in each sticker will allow the stickers to lie more evenly on each nail. Apply pressure to each, making sure they are secured to your nail. For reverse half-moon nails, apply the sticker to the tips instead.

With the sticker in place, apply one coat of the second colour to the top half of your nail. Let this coat dry for at least 15 minutes.

Once dry, carefully peel the reinforcement stickers off each nail.

Finish with a clear top coat.