Back in the day (oh, that pre kid life…) I would religiously go to the nail salon for a manicure. Every Friday after work, I would run to my favorite spot on the Upper Easy Side for a quick manicure. It was one of those habits I got into when I first moved to the city, and it just made me feel so special.
Fast forward a few year, I have neither the time or patience to go spend an hour getting my nails done every week. And I’d much rather buy lipstick than a manicure most days. So, I started painting my nails at home!
It has taken lots of practice, a few bottles of remover to touch up the mistakes, but now I love painting my nails at home. I can touch up any chips or damage throughout the week, and don’t have to take all my polish off the minute it starts to wear. I also found that buying a new bottle of polish is still cheaper than going to get a manicure, so I’m calling it cost effective, too!
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I have always been a loyal Essie polish lover, but recently I have been totally converted over to the Gel Couture polish. They are just SO. DAMN. GOOD. They are a gel like polish, without the need of a UV light or heat lamp. There is a special top coat, which gives a gorgeous shine.
The best part is that they last way longer than a traditional polish. I can usually get a full seven days of wear with the Gel Couture polish, and even then just minimal chipping on the tips of my nails.
With winter fully upon us, I have said goodbye to bright, bold shades and fallen head over heels for muted, cozy tones.
Pre Show Jitters
My favorite color for every day. This is the perfect milky white color with a hint of pink. It covers totally opaque in just two coats. Super feminine and chic.
Take Me to Thread
Mauve is one of my all time favorite nail polish colors. A little more stand out than just a nude nail, but still super sophisticated.
Showroom for One
This is THE shade for winter. Deep, frozen blue with just a hint of grey in it is one of my favorite shades for the super cold weather. Something just a bit more fun!
I have tried these polished with other top coats, and while they still do alright, they definitely last longest with the one made for them. I have never been loyal to a line or specific top coat before, but it is so worth it to really keep your nails looking great for longer!
What is your go to polish shade or brand? I’m always looking for new colors to try!
