Be My Guest: Laura — "A to Zebra" Zigs the Wrong Way :(

where does one start... well, for one - i'm a HUGE fan of Essie. i probably own 50 bottles of it (a conservative estimate).

so, when i read about their nail stickers coming out i was ecstatic. i went to a walgreens and there were the "essie sleek sticks"... lined up perfectly. waiting. almost taunting. i must have examined the options and held them next to my naked nails, imagining the transformation, for at least 20 minutes.

finally, a decision - A to Zebra. it served up everything i'm after in a non-traditional (re: not your regular, boring, single color) look. with a matte base and glossy zebra stripes, who could not want these nailz?!

when i checked out, the sales clerk (obviously not a polish fan) made a remark that i might as well go get a manicure for $10.89. i scoffed and quickly assured her that this would be no regular mani. this was going to be different and last much longer.

when i got home i immediately started in on the process. pretty simple as things go and i was thrilled with the idea of not having to deal with dry time (it was a friday night after all).

i applied the first sticker and followed the directions to file the excess down and away from my nail. it worked. but... and there it was. a big but: instant tip wear. (gasp!)

i thought to myself, self - it's your first time with these, try again. so i did, nine more times. i wish i could say that my nails only got better but alas, i cannot. tip wear, to varying degrees, on every nail. #sadface

it wasn't so bad as to be noticeable to anyone who would look at them but any nail polish-loving gal would be as upset about the finished look as was i. a disappointment.

i imagined them lasting all week and showing them off on monday morning to the other girls in the office. yeah right, these nails weren't gonna make it past sunday afternoon at the rate they started to peel back.

also, good to note here that if you're a "picker" these nails aren't for you. the sticker started to grab onto little hairs and fuzz and then i'd get even more upset. *bigsigh

so, even though a very cute boy said how he liked the "squiggly lines" on my nails… i don't know that i'd drop another $10.89 for a one night out, kinda interesting mani.

i say that now, but maybe i'll give them another go if i hear some positive stories. ladies? anyone?

just another sad reminder that all that glitters isn't gold.

- LALA

Be My Guest: Charlotte — From Lips to Fingertips

I’m not sure if I subconsciously picked up this Southern fashion rule from my grandmother or just created it by osmosis of my family’s conservative style. Regardless, I primarily pick my nail polish colors by one motto; “If you wouldn’t wear the color on your lips, don’t wear it on your fingertips.” Granted, many modern Southern gals are much more adventurous but, after witnessing the look on my aunt’s face when my cousin’s wife wore a shimmering bronze polish, I learned at nine years old that there were limitations. Having been friends with Francesca for some time now, she’s often attempted to push me outside of my palette comfort zone. Only over the past few years I’ve been known to don an OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or even Essie’s Nice is Nice. One day I was bold enough to wear Essie’s Lapis of Luxury with one finger sporting shimmering gold flecks, which naturally garnered the attention of my polish pusher pal.  After a mere 20 years away from Texas, I had finally broken through my Southern style barrier.

Francesca is of course delighted at my sudden turn, frequently remarking on my more daring choices, but still there is a soft spot for those vibrant reds and flirtatious pinks, so I wanted to share some of my go-to shades.

OPI’s “The Thrill of Brazil”

This is a classic red, not so brazen as to shock your co-workers, but still spicy enough for a night out.

OPI’s “Red My Fortune Cookie”

This red is a bit brighter than The Thrill of Brazil, which I’m interpreting as being a bit more playful.

Essie’s “Rose Bowl”

A very fun and rich pink, I feel like any eight-year-old girl would automatically select this shade.

Orly’s “Passion Fruit”

Ah, a neon. I can’t help loving neon pink and Orly’s Passion Fruit does not disappoint. I’m so drawn to this color in fact that I accidentally purchased a duplicate bottle. Gorg.

Essie’s “One of a Kind”

This is a great one to break up my standard pinks and reds because it offers up some hints of orange. It’s like a blood orange-flavored candy.

Essie Closer

And for the finale, the perfect red that now eludes me... As part of a promotional offer for TNT's "The Closer," Essie released a "Closer" red polish that rocked my socks off. Brighter than my other reds, and oh-so-stunning. I've made it through 2 bottles of this perfect polish (I may have stolen an extra from a coworker once I discovered its magic) and now I'm scraping the bottom of my last Essie bottle. Help me!

Despite my occasional betrayal, I still come running back to my pinks and reds like a schoolgirl who’s dramatically run away from home. When in doubt, “If you wouldn’t wear the color on your lips, don’t wear it on your fingertips.”

**Side note, when I first moved to Los Angeles, I used to tell strangers in bars that I wrote the names for nail polish colors. Is this a job? Can I have it?!?

partlyprimandproper, Charlotte

Birds of a Feather

It's no secret that I'm a nail polish fanatic. But of course, great minds think alike... water seeks its own level... what I'm trying to say is, my friends love it too!

  Which is why I thought it would be cool to feature some of my pals on Polishment from time to time through special featured posts called "Be My Guest." I hope you enjoy checking out their different writing styles, nail polish opinions and senses of humor.

So stay tuned for the first official guest post up next!

xxo, Francesca