Polishment

I had a vague memory of trying out "Chic Prints for Nails — Sephora by OPI" this past autumn. I knew I didn't like them; I remembered they were difficult to apply, the sizes seemed weird and they peeled off almost immediately.

If anyone reading this has EVER had a good experience with these, please please write in the comments because I am convinced they are the worst nail creation in existence.

I really shouldn't be complaining because, after my dismal experience with Cosmic Stars, Sephora Customer Service very generously gave me a full store credit for both Chic Prints I'd purchased: Cosmic Stars and Chrome Lace. They asked that I send them the remnants of Cosmic Stars for testing (postage paid, no less) and said I could do whatever I liked with Chrome Lace.

I'm a hoarder, so obviously I kept Chrome Lace in the bowels of my nail polish storage under my bathroom sink.

Over the weekend, I happened to be digging around when the banished Chic Prints sparkled at me like a newborn star. I could not resist. As I held the package up to the light, slowly turning it this way and that to watch the appliqués twinkle back at me, I had a flash of recollection.

"No!" shouted my better judgement. "No, these are bad! Don't you remember? How they only last for 1-2 days? Don't you remember the struggle, the sadness... the hideousness? Don't you remember when one of the foul appliqués pulled out several strands of your hair? Don't you remember anything at all??!"

"Sshhh," I murmured. (In my defense, I was also sick with a growing sinus infection. I was not thinking clearly.) "I have an event that I plan to drag my carcass to tomorrow and I want my nails to be pretty."

I stared at the glowing silver appliqués. So shiny. So silvery. "So pretty..."

And so I lumbered off to the kitchen table armed with a mug of hot tea, a box of Kleenex and my nail toolz. I was ready to try again.

And here's where the story ends. I gave Chic Prints a second chance and I am bitterly disappointed. As the fisherwives say, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Let's end this on a high note.

Stay Shiny, GLOSS

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQtlrBziyzI]

Cosmic Stars? More like Cosmic BARF! Hooooooooo!

First, the Candy Corn Mani failure, and now this? Ay ay ay. At least you can learn from my mistakes, that's all I have to say. And on that note, let's begin.

When it comes to new beauty products , I tend to think of myself as an early adopter.

This is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I feel glamorously ahead of the curve. Other times... With this latest experiment that I'm about to share with you, I felt like a nail polish pioneer, just paving the Oregon Trail as best I can, forging crazy rivers (to HELL with the oxen) and huntin' food, but then so-and-so gets a broken leg, I get dysentery, I JUST can't take it anymore.

This post is pretty pic-heavy, so click here to read the whole scoop!

I decided to try Chic Prints for Nails, a "Sephora by OPI Product." Love Sephora. Love OPI. Match made in heaven, let's GO. I bought these back in early September, because I had a premonition that the best patterns would disappear, just like everything I love. I was right.

And so, I hoarded Cosmic Stars until this very weekend. I put them on Sunday night, perfect for a Monday Halloween debut.

Online research made it sound like I needed a few special tools, such as toenail clipper to cut off the excess Chic Print, and a hair dryer. These are not like the Sally Hansen appliques; they require heat.

I was disappointed. I was surprised. By midday Monday, I was ANGRY. Observe.

The Peel enraged me. My hard work! My time! And they cost $15. That is three lunches at work. That is more than two trips to Starbucks. That is a compact disc. That is a bunch of singles I should be ashamed of purchasing on iTunes. THAT IS ~1.8 BOTTLES OF OPI NAIL POLISH!

I ran a mangled hand through my hair in frustration. The Chic Prints snagged some strands, and when I examined my nails, I saw one hair, caught in The Peel. Oh, no. No, no, no.

I revisted the Sephora site and read the reviews that had been posted since I purchased these in early September. I was not the only one who was disappointed.

So I called Sephora's customer care hotline. And you know what? They were awesome. I had the most incredible customer service experience I have had... maybe ever. They gave me store credit for Cosmic Stars AND for Chrome Lace, which I'd purchased at the same time. They even sent me a return label, postage paid, so that I can send them my remnants. They plan to do an "autopsy" of sorts.

I really can't imagine Sephora will sell these for much longer. I predict that these will be off the shelves by this time next year, if not sooner. In the meantime... DO NOT BUY.

xxo, GLOSS