3 August 2009

Lacquer Lundi

Last week, Sher asked if I ever have to throw out any of my polishes when they get old. The short answer is no, no and nope. Polishes don't ever get to the point where they have to be thrown out (unless you just hate the colour). Even if your polish gets thick, lumpy, chunky or completely dried out, just add nail polish thinner (I use Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner from Sally Beauty Supply). Be careful not to add too much at a time though. For a light thinning, I add 5 to 10 drops to the polish bottle, close the lid and shake it up. If I still need things a bit less viscous, I repeat the aforementioned until happy. If you do manage to get a bit overzealous with the thinner and make polish soup, don't freak out. Just leave the lid off the polish for a minute or two (or three or four) and allow the thinner to evaporate. Voila, no need to trash perfectly good polish ever again. Or you can always send your old polish to me. I'm thinking of opening up a polish rescue - it'll be a non-profit haven for unloved and over-the-hill nail lacquer!


Now, on to the pretties:

OPI - Have You Seen My Limo?
- purchased at Rachelle's (my hair salon) for $7.00 CDN

Have You Seen My Limo? is so frickin' awesome! (Yep, I just said "frickin' awesome"!) This polish is a dark brownish-purple base with greenish-silver shimmer. If you like vampy colours, chances are you will like this one.

As with most OPI polishes, Have You Seen My Limo? applied easily, due its nice consistency. However, I found that I needed three coats to eliminate all streakiness. Although I prefer a polish that covers in two coats (or ideally, one coat), I am willing to go the extra mile for this one. It held up well - for the three days that I had it on, all I got was minor tip wear.

I think this may become my regular pedicure polish from here on out, as I like a nice dark colour on my toes.


L'Oreal - Shocking Green
- purchased at Shoppers (chain drug store) for $5.99 CDN

Shocking Green is such a unique colour - a yellowed green with subtle gold shimmer (enlarge the photos for a better look at the shimmer). I don't have any other greens in my collection that are even remotely like this one. It reminds of the colour that would be produced if Kermit the Frog had a love child with an alien.

I have included pictures both in sun (to the right) and shade (to the left).

Unfortunately the formula on this brand is not spectacular. It is very thick and difficult to push around the nail. I had to resort to adding thinner (rather apropos considering the beginning of this post, don't cha think?) to get a better consistency.

This polish did wear fairly well. after three days I had minor tip wear, although it was beginning to get small chips on the edges of a few nails.


Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear - Blue It
- purchased at Wal Mart for $2.07 CDN

Blue It is a gorgeous royal blue polish, with a metallic like sheen. It is quite stunning and eye catching. I have a soft spot for blue polish and this one is very high on my list of most loved.

As with all the Sally Hansen HANXW polishes that I own, Blue It has a great consistency and applied to the nail quite well. It covered in two coats and dried quickly.

This polish holds up reasonably well - only tip wear after two days.

10 comments:

gwensews said...

I definitely need that green polish because it's the same color as a piece of fabric I own.

Jen said...

The OPI is amazing.
I found out that the Xtreme wears will be restocked in late Aug/Sep with a new look packaging.

Mardel said...

That OPI is amazing and it sounds like my favorite kind of color.

I have to thank you for getting me back to polishing my nails regularly and playing with polish. I had stopped for a while, I used to go to a salon before my spouse was ill, and now I do my own and love it and love polish. Who would have thought that such a simple thing could bring so much joy. Again thanks, and I'll go out looking for that color.

Liana said...

That OPI is a fabulous color! I may have to indulge myself and just ignore what I know DH will say. :)

Maggie said...

Shannon, thanks for doing all this "research" on nail polishes. I pamper my toes with professional jobs, but only file the upper set myself. You have inspired me to get a move on and try some of these colors on my own. What a great hobby actually! Like Mardel says, a simple thing bringing so much joy!

Carol said...

I am going on the hunt for that green. I absolutely love it! My favourite shade of green ever!

Unknown said...

Yes, mine got lumpy so I should have used that thinner. Thanks for the tip!

Jacqui said...

I love the Limo color!
Have you seen Maybelline's Go Go Greeen? It's like a pearly green apple. Seeing all these pretty colors on you reminds me I need to change the color on my toenails...

Elizabeth said...

Thanks so much for all the polish posts- like a really needed another addiction! Seriously, I look forward to Lacquer Lundi and who knows maybe one day I'll be adventureous enough to try a wonderfully outrageous color like Shocking Green.

Claire S. said...

I have that blue & love it ! My DH just shakes his head at my color choices LOL. So far this summer I'm leaning towards the blues and oranges. The brighter, the better.

Right now I'm on holiday in Toronto and a girlfriend here waited til I arrived to schedule a mani/pedi for us. The color of the week ? BRIGHT FUSCHIA PINK - fingers and toes !! I think it may even glow in the dark.

DH rolled his eyes...the guys we're visiting don't like it...I LOVE IT !!!!!!! :-)

Thanks for giving us the lowdown on your routine. When I do my own, I use both the SH base coat and top coat and have just recommended the top coat to a friend. The 30 second drying time can't be beat.