In the interesting beauty trend category – let’s talk about nails. Just like everything these days, companies are inventing more ways to use their products at home. Remember when we all just had simple bottles of nail polish that we applied semi-badly? I do, and that’s why I’ve been getting my nails done by professionals for years and years. Of course, it’s time-consuming, doesn’t always look quite how I like, I have to wait for my next appointment while my nails look kind of terrible, and most of all, it’s expensive! Of course depending on where you go, it can be quite an “experience.” And I love those places, I do! But they are often expensive, so I usually frequent places that are more no-frills since I was going about once a month. And after a while, it just wasn’t as fun. Note I’m talking here about nails on your hands, not feet! I’ll never get the hang of a pedicure and I’ll continue to have professionals handle that – plus even the most basic places feel luxurious when they rub your feet with lotion, just close your eyes and imagine you’re at a fancy spa!
Anyway, I’ve been looking for a solution to those nail polish bottles. Something that I could do maybe every other week (bonus, I can change the color more often than before!) that would look nice and professional, but at more of a DIY price.
This is what I’ve come up with so far.
First, we have this interesting product from L’oreal. I have to say they get 1,000 points for a pretty good naming concept in my book (whatever that is)! It’s basically lingerie for your nails because it’s meant to be placed on bare nails or over the top of already-painted nails (although that wouldn’t make it lingerie, really. Huh). Anyway, kind of a cool concept and it would probably cover badly-painted nails (mine), so that could be a plus.
Second, we have a new product from Essie, and their first product that is anything other than nail polish in traditional bottles and other nail care. This is kind of a big deal because Essie is known more as a premium salon product (along with OPI) because those are usually the two brands of polish that ever nail salon carries, although now you can buy both brands in a lot of stores too. In my experience, Essie wears longer than a lot of drugstore brand polishes, although I’ve had better luck with OPI in general as far as staying power. Of course, I wonder if this type of polish is as great as it is from the bottle.
Last, we have an existing option from a classic company, but in a new style. The name Sally Hansen is synonymous with good drugstore nail care. I’d bet that we all have a least one bottle of Sally Hansen something in all of our beauty products drawer! They’ve had Salon Effects on the market for at least a year or two and I’ve read generally good reviews. I’ve never tried them though, partly because the colors and “effects” weren’t really suitable for day-to-day wear (think tiger stripes, gold confetti, leopard print). So when they came out with the french mani concept, it was really appealing (in the more natural colors, of course).
So, what do you do with your nails? Just basic care? Or do you go all out and go to the nail salon all the time? Wear wild colors?
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