Never mind colour, for nails this season it is all about effects. Nail art is still popular as ever, but it is less about the designs and more about texture, finish and feel. The new crop of nail polishes hitting the counters make it easy to paint on anything with one stroke. We teamed up with nail expert Michelle Humphrey to play around with the spring nail collections and create our looks. Scan the page to get her tips and tricks on the latest products.

OPI’s new liquid sand polish will divide opinion as they reject the smooth glossy finish typical of most polish. You’ll either love or hate the gritty, matte, glitter finish, but the textured surface makes it easier to create an ombre-effect manicure. Also great for a gradient are the I’m perfection polishes from Illamasqua which use a mixture of black glitter particles suspended in milky coloured polishes to give a speckled egg finish.

“Mannequin hands” are the contemporary neutral look that is easier to achieve thanks to brands who are releasing a spectrum of nude shades to cover all skin tones. The modern way to wear nudes is with a full cover finish to give a uniform look to elongate your nails and fingers. Michelle says “these are opaque shades as opposed to a French manicure which is translucent”. However if this is too uniform for you, try a contrasting tip or half moon to break up the look. We have used a leather-effect, tan shade with a clashing, glossy-black half moon for a two-tone manicure.

If you don’t have a skilled nail artist available to you, it has never been easier to DIY with nail accessories going mainstream. Nail art pens let you dot, stripe and bling like a professional – just remember to let the base colour dry properly. Too much to choose from? Michelle’s tip is to go for dots: “Everyone goes mad for spots and polka dots, they’re still my most requested look”.

Rediscover the magic of oils to treat and care for mind, body and spirit. We have a natural affinity with precious plant oils like jojoba and coconut, which absorb well into skin and hair unlike the greasy mineral oils of yore. With oil-based cleansers, serums and even make-up primers you can douse your- self from head-to-toe. Anoint thyself.

Spoken of reverently and ardently by its legion of fans this cult oil brings life back to dull faces.

Rodin, Olio Lusso face oil, £95, 30ml (020 7734 1234 liberty.co.uk).

Scented oils are the sensual intimate way to wear fragrance: as endorsed by Josephine Baker.

E.Coudray, Nohiba perfumed body oil, £50, 100ml (0845 300 1707 fortnumandmason.com).

This light easily absorbed formula will convert oil-phobic skeptics.

Aesop, Fabulous face oil, £39, 25 ml (020 7409 2358 aesop.com).

Prep dry skin with this rich make-up primer and your base will look and feel better.

Hourglass, No. 28 Primer Serum, £62, 30ml (020 7734 1234 liberty.co.uk).

This elixir of prickly pear, neem and amla oils tames unruly hair into silk.

Touché by Flavien, Hair and Skin Serum, £77, 15ml (020 7893 8333 urbanretreat.co.uk).

Gentle but effective this plant extract infused antioxidant rich cleanser takes off everything.

Shu Uemura, Premium a/o cleansing beauty oil, £28, 150ml (0844 892 0146 shuuemura.co.uk).

Elevate a bath to a treatment: the oil softens the skin and the fragrance revives.

Neom, Complete Bliss bath & shower oil, £32, 100ml (0870 460 4677 neomorganics.com).

Jo Malone, Bitter Orange & Chocolate Cologne, £38, 30ml (0870 034 2411 jomalone.com).

Marni, eau de parfum, £95, 120ml (020 7730 1234 harrods.com).

Hermès, Jour d’Hermès eau de parfum, £91, 85ml (020 7730 1234 harrods.com).

Cartier, L’Heure Vertueuse eau de parfum, £204, 75ml (020 3147 4850 cartier.co.uk).

Shay & Blue, Atropa Belladonna £55, 100ml (0845 548 01136 shayandblue.com).

Dolce&Gabbana, Desire eau de parfum, £64, 50ml (020 7730 1234 harrods.com).

Chloé, See by Chloé eau de parfum, £49, 50ml (0845 602 1073 houseoffraser.co.uk).