Did you know that your nail color can send subliminal messages, just like your clothes? Check it out:
Red // glamorous, in control, confident
Citrus // happy, outgoing, casual
Jewel // experimental, strong, vivacious
Pastel // girly, easy-going, feminine
Nude // minimalistic, polished, sophisticated
Black/Grey // modern, independent, authoritative
Now, these color categories don't necessarily pinpoint your personality, but rather, the vibe you give off when wearing the color. It's kind of like the vibe you give off when you're wearing a certain color of clothing.
I selected my favorite brands - OPI, Essie, Nails Inc, Maybelline, and Sinful Colors - and the prices range from $2 to $15. Great deals for high quality, if you ask me.
Remember that just because your nail polish is expensive, doesn't mean that it is invincible. Nail polish chips and smudges. In order to keep your flawless color lasting as long as possible, follow these steps:
- Remove any excess oils from your nails and nail beds by cleaning them with nail polish remover, like Cutex + Strengthener. Even if you don't have nail polish on, it creates a stronger, cleaner base for polish to be applied.
- Apply a base coat before anything else. I prefer a strengthener coat, like Sally Hansen, but a plain clear coat is just as good.
- Paint on thin layers of paint. You're going to have to put on at least two layers, sometimes three. Trust me, your patience will pay off when you see the end result. Thick layers only clump and take thousands of times longer to dry, making nails smudge-prone for hours after painting.
- Throw on another clear coat. You won't be sorry.
- Be patient. Carve at least an hour out of your day to paint your nails. When you think they're dry, wait 15 more minutes.
Notice there are no links to the colors below, because depending on where you buy your nail polish, the bottles are priced differently. Any requests for colors, shades, or styles that I didn't cover? Tweet me at @MollyInBlack or comment below. (And don't worry - we'll get back to fashion next week.)
red | citrus |
Blood Red // OPI // Romantically Involved Bright Red // Nails Inc // St. James Orange-Red // Essie // Geranium jewelEmerald // Nails Inc // Bruton Mews Sapphire // Sinful Colors // Endless Blue Quartz // OPI // Plugged-in Plum nude | Orange // Sinful Colors // Feel the Vibe Lemon // Maybelline // Fierce N Tangy Lime // OPI // Green-wich Village pastelCotton Candy // Maybelline// Born With It Mint // Sinful Colors // Tokyo Pearl Periwinkle // Essie // Bikini So Teeny greyscale |
Sand-Nude // Nails Inc // Porchester Square Nude-Nude // Essie // Cocktails and Coconuts Pink-Nude // OPI // Passion | Jet Black // Nails Inc // Alexa Leather Dark Grey // OPI // Suzi Skis Metallic Grey // Maybelline // Pedal to the Medal |