When I was a teenager back in the 90s, the look du jour when it came to nails was acrylic nails. And if you were really trendy, you got 3 or 4 airbrushed colors on your nails, too. It was a relatively inexpensive trend, if you went to a half-way decent salon in Queens, a full-set would cost you about $30 (then the equivalent of about a week’s allowance) and a fill-in (the process of adding more acrylic to your nails when they grew out) would cost only $15.

However the thing you didn’t quite realize about acrylics were that when it came time to soak them off, not only did it take an epic amount of time, but your own actual nails would be so soft and brittle that the slightest touch would make them peel off. You also didn’t want to drop any loose change on the floor otherwise spend 10-15 minutes trying to retrieve it with your acrylic talons. Yikes!

So I swore off acrylic nails around age 17 and then kind of fell out of love with anything spectacular being done to my nails other than a manicure with the palest pink nail polish.

Ten years later as a full-fledged adult, my nails have been every color from the brightest yellow to the starkest white to the darkest black and navy. I’ve even gone the Minx route. I’m officially nail-obsessed! So imagine how excited I was today while flipping through the August issue of Marie Claire and seeing these fab nail designs:

SHE’S ALL MATTE
This sultry navy polish goes on like any other, then surprises with a muted, velvety dry-down. Just remember to skip the top coat.

On nails: OPI Matte Nail Lacquer in Russian Navy, $8.50. Also try: Knock Out Cosmetics Flatte Nail Polish in OX, $19.

GLITTER-SWEET
Yes, sophistication and sparkle can coexist: Rose-gold flecks suspended in inky-black lacquer mean a fiercely futuristic look.

On nails: Lippmann Collection Nail Lacquer in Superstar, $35 for a set of three. Also try: Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Look Rich, Be Cheap, $18.

SILVER SURFER
Minx’s ultrathin polymer sheets are placed on nails, then heated for an almost-indestructible finish—no drying time required.

On nails: Silver Minx manicure; go to minxnails.com for salons.

FADE TO BLACK
This sleek ombre effect is fashioned from layers of Calgel’s healthy-for-nails liquid overlay, which comes in 96 shades.

On nails: Calgel color gradation tips; go to calgelusa.com for salons.

I want to try them ALL! I’m especially loving that matte navy polish. What about you?