My Top Ten \ Number Six: Essie — Haute As Hello

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Essie Haute As Hello, you devil, you. What a haute tamale!

I bought her because I'd never seen peachy coral as "look at me!" bright as this. What I couldn't guess was that she'd tiptoe into straight-up neon territory.

Haute As Hello is a little tricksy. I describe the formula as devilish — you need a steady, light hand to make sure Haute As Hello doesn't end up streaky. It dries semi-matte, too, just like a true neon does. And like a chameleon, Haute As Hello changes colors in an instant, going from creamy coral to fluorescent peach without warning. One second she's coy and kittenish, the next she's untamed and on the prowl.

In fact, the color varies so much (depending on the lighting) that I've got to share some other blogger's photos. Click the images to go to the blogs and explore photos of the shapeshifting shade, Haute As Hello.

And I'm not the only one loving this color! Check out these awesome finds that are just so Haute As Hello! Click any photo to explore the item on its native site.

My advice? Take a walk on the wild side and give Haute As Hello a whirl even though it's officially autumn. I think this shade looks smashing with golden caramels and rich browns, and even adds an unexpected pop to denim and olive greens. Who says peach can't be all year 'round color?

Another bright idea — a neon peach pedicure for November, so that when the chill winds blow and the days grow shorter, one look at your toes will call to mind warm breezes and carefree afternoons. Treat your feet to an endless summer.

wellaren'tyouapeach, Francesca

P.S. Missed the first few? No prob.

My Top Ten \ Number Five: Orly — Hot Shot

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Love red polish but want to kick it up a notch? Look no further than Orly Hot Shot. Neon red.

When I chose Orly Hot Shot for a manicure back in 2010,  I had no idea how addicted I would become. I wore that mani until it was hideously chipped. I thought about going back to the salon for a fresh coat, but I realized that wasn't the answer. I needed a bottle of my own.

Like I said, this was 2010. I loved nail polish, but I was not immersed in the world as I am now. I spent weeks — literally, weeks — stopping by random beauty supply stores in Los Angeles, praying and hoping that they would have Hot Shot. I left empty-handed every single time. What can I say? Total noob.

Oddly, Orly can be a tough brand to find! Drugstores carry about a dozen bottles, but none of the colors you typically see there are very cool. I needed to find a place that had the entire collection!

In retrospect, it's ridiculous that I didn't think of the obvious solution sooner: dahhh, just had to Google it, boss. I saw Hot Shot for sale on Amazon; a great place to find fantastic deals on polish. Problem was, I needed Hot Shot right away. I wanted it NOW! Luckily, Google had revealed more key information...

Turns out, Sally Beauty Supply carries all of Orly! Who knew? And there was a Sally's less than a mile away from my apartment. At the time, I was really, really sick with some sort of vile summer influenza. I was unshowered, feverish, disgusting... but obsessed. Walking like an extra from the Thriller video, I stumbled to the bathroom, made an honest attempt to brush my hair and teeth, and careened my way to Sally's.

I bought three bottles.

So why is Orly Hot Shot so awesome? The neon red is great because it's a less obvious neon color choice. I loved the neon pinks that were so popular this summer, but there's something about neon red that's a little more indie, a little more sophisticated... a little less Barbie.

The coverage is so-so; it has an almost jelly transparency, so I do about three coats. On this post, I painted my nails white prior to putting on neon and it really made all of my colors pop, though they also looked a bit lighter than usual. I have yet to do that with Orly Hot Shot on all 10 fingers but, when I do, I'll be sure to share! Like most neons, Orly Hot Shot dries semi-matte, so be sure you put on a nice shiny top coat.

ineedmyneon, Francesca

P.S. Missed the first few? No prob.

My Top Ten \ Number Four: Sally Hansen — Frock Star

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My next favorite color isn't technically in my Stash because it's a one-time-use product; Sally Hansen Salon Effects. Color of choice? Frock Star.

I love glitter. And I mean LOVE.

I had tried a few other Sally Hansen designs and really liked the application. So simple! I had been thinking of trying out a new shade when a happy accident occurred.

I was in the bathroom at work, and I happened to check out the shoes of the girl who was in the stall over. Awkward, I know. Her flip-flops were cute, but it was her pedicure that really caught my eye. Even in the hideous ladies room lighting, her toes looked amazing. So sparkly! So much glittah!!

We emerged at the same time and, to my pleasant surprise, it was actually a girl I knew — yes! So, I craftily pretended to notice her toes when we were side by side at the sinks. I figured that was less invasive than mentioning I'd seen them... before. And that's how I learned that she'd used the Sally Hansen Frock Star strips on her toenails! Clever girl.

You'll understand how much I love Frock Star when I tell you that I wore it to my birthday party last year. That's a big event, and you don't just slap on any old thing. If there's one polish in my Stash that screams "partay," it's Frock Star. You can't help but feel happy when your nails glitter so glamorously.

I  have also invested in OPI Rainbow Connection; it's very similar to Frock Star. In fact, the last time I wore Frock Star, I amped it up by putting on a couple coats of Rainbow Connection, too. Regardless of whether you want to pump Frock Star up or leave as is, I really recommend adding a layer of top coat or two, so that you get a smooth surface and catch the light even more.

 

glitterismygoto, Francesca

P.S. Missed the first few?

My Top Ten \ Number Three: Essie — Mint Candy Apple

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Pale minty green. Not the color I'd usually associate with nail polish and yet... it works so well!

Light greens have been embraced by more polish lovers than I expected! I give credit to two key influencers: Chanel and Beyonce, obvs. But seriously, Chanel and Beyonce are who we have to thank for mint polish going mainstream.

First, Pantone named Turquoise "Color of the Year" in 2010. Chanel took that proclamation seriously and released Nouvelle Vague, a color which reached cult status almost instantly.

Next, Beyonce released the video for "Why Don't You Love Me." Full disclosure, I like Beyonce's music but I LOVE her videos because her hair and makeup are always picture-perfect and so creative. Bey's nails became a sensation. All Lacquered up did a great post on them here. And what was she wearing? Why, Nouvelle Vague, of course. And thus, turquoise nails were in, game set and match.

I've never actually tried Chanel Nouvelle Vague, but I think Essie Turquoise and Caicos is a good substitute. The only downside to that color is that it got way too popular for me. This is the same reason I own OPI You Don't Know Jacques, but have yet to actually wear it.

I prefer Essie Mint Candy Apple because it's a lighter, brighter green. It reminds me of dinner mints (one of my many candy weaknesses) and ice cream. In fact, it's more closely related to Chanel Jade than Chanel Nouvelle Vague, but I digress. I just dig it.

Aand for what it's worth, Mint Candy Apple came out in the Essie Holiday 2009 collection, so not only is she gorgeous, she was ahead of her time. She goes on pretty opaque, which makes 'er awesome for DIY nail art, too!

howsweetitis, Francesca

My Top Ten \ Number Two: OPI — No Room For The Blues

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Next up is another somewhat-oldie but definitely-goody.

The year was 2009, and I was living in San Francisco at the time. My nail polish collection was pretty demure. I've mentioned before that I went through a very long phase of only buying polish in colors that I could conceivably wear as lipstick, and this lead to many pinks, reds and corals.

It was summertime (well, as summery as San Fran is ever capable of getting) and I wanted to treat myself to a new bottle of something fun. I'd heard of OPI's collaboration with Paige Premium Denim and wanted to see the colors for myself. They sounded wild!

And that's how I met No Room For The Blues. You have to believe me when I tell you that this was an incredibly daring shade, considering the state of the nail polish industry in 2009. The explosion of color you see nowadays is the result of a very recent revolution. I actually remember thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh. Can I pull this off? Could I... wear this to the office?" Thankfully, I decided yes and yes.

The following week, I debuted it at work to mixed reviews. And yet, I dared to wear it to a Friday evening happy hour at a bar in the Financial District.

Oh, the Financial District. Imagine the most buttoned-up, clean cut crowd that you can, dressed in legit suits. Half of them are heartbreakingly socially awkward. The other half are wolves. All in all, a very conservative crowd.

I was in jeans and, with my bright blue nails, I felt like a rock star. Each gesture with my blue nails showed a flippant disregard for corporate dress code. I was a loose cannon. I don't know if a manicure I've worn since has ever felt so gutsy.

Although bright blue nailz are no longer as shocking as they once were, they still look just as awesome. NRFTB is one of my favorite colors because the coverage is awesome, the consistency is so creamy and lovely, and the color itself it just bluetiful. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

And now, a gratuitous picture of a cat.

amiblue, Francesca

P.S. Missed Number One? Here you go.

P.P.S. Isn't the blue bird in this post's header gorgeous? It's a real bird! An Indigo Bunting. Special thanks to Weston.

P.P.S. I leave you with a hot A-ha track. Blue Sky, of course.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-36ijwAQUs]