26 October 2009

Lacquer Lundi

First, let me thank each and every one of you that has left a thoughtful comment on my last post. I really appreciate the kind show of support from all my online friends. I realize that some people consider animals to simply be pets. I, however, love Simon as if he was my child. Maybe I'm the weird dog lady, but that's how it is with me. He is part of my soul.


Next up is a reader comment: Rosaline said, "Like the others I love the LL posts. I on the other hand, never wear nail polish because I've heard it can do great damage to your nails, such as softening them and turning them yellow. As a nail polish user, would you do a post on the topic of how often you use polish, do you give your nails "a rest", and how often you change your colors. I've always loved nail polish and as you can see, all the exciting colors you show are making me long for wearing it. Thanks for LLs."

I believe it is an old wives' tale that nails need a "rest" or that nail polish will damage them. What needs to be kept in mind is that nails are dead cell tissue (the same as hair). Although I still get the very rare split nail, I haven't had a break for as long as I can remember. I attribute my strong nails to four things: I keep polish on my nails always (I have not had a polish-less day in over a year), I take 3000 mcg of biotin per day, I moisturize constantly (although granted that is more for my cuticles than my actual nails) and I was blessed with good nail genetics. As for how often I change my polish - usually every day or two - I get bored easily and I like having on a new colour. Besides, my students like checking out my latest manicure! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, my nails are lightly stained due to dark coloured polish. However, since I never go without polish and I prefer opaque (as opposed to sheer) polishes, I don't really care too much.


This week, I decided to dedicate LL to Halloween. I have a selection of frightening and fabulous colours, guaranteed to get you into the spooky spirit. I have included some special edition, Halloween-only polishes, along with some regular polishes that have the proper attitude for the season. I hope you think they're a scream! So, let's get on to the pretties:

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear - Red Carpet
- purchased at Rexall (chain drug store) for $2.95 CDN

Thinking about making an appearance at a Halloween gathering as a sexy vampire? Than Red Carpet is the one for you! This blood red polish is sure to make you look like a sensuous sucker, ready to drain the life out of any party. The deep, rich base, packed with sparkly red glitter is a corpuscular delight that is perfect for you and you and Nosferatu.

Red Carpet applied like a dream and covered beautifully in two coats. It wore well - very minor tip wear after two days. Now, this is a polish you can sink your teeth into.



Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear - Black Out & Nfu Oh - #60
- Sally Hansen purchased at Rexall (chain drug store) for $1.53 CDN
- Nfu Oh purchased at fabuloustreet.com for $8.50 US

If you're looking for a grungy, punk-inspired look with a unexpected punch, then this combo is for you. Black Out is a gothically gorgeous shiny black creme, that provides the foundation for this manicure. The addition of Nfu-Oh #60, which is a charcoal base packed with light reflecting orange and green flakies, adds a whole other deadly dimension (click on the photo to the right for an amazing close up view of this stunning polish). So, whether you're dressing up as a strung out rocker chic or bewitching sorceress, this manicure is sure to frighten the bejezees out of everyone around you!

Both polishes are shown with two coats on the nail. This manicure held up well for the day that I had it on - only minor tip wear and no chipping. This is certainly a spook-tacularly boo-tiful combination.


New York Color - Times Sq Tangerine
- purchased at Rexall (chain drug store) for $1.36 CDN

Looking fashionable while carving up that hapless pumpkin is no longer a problem - just sport Times Sq Tangerine on your tips. This pumpkin coloured polish is sure to get the knife blade moving and as an extra added bonus, you won't be able to see all pumpkin guts under your nails when you're done!

Times Sq Tangerine is a great polish for the price - two coats applied well, dried quickly and wore amazingly well (only extremely minor tip wear after two days). This polish is so gourd, it will squash the competition (ahem).



Sally Hansen New Lengths Ceramics - Ghoulish Green & Glow in the Dark
- both polishes purchased at Shoppers (chain drug store) for $4.49 CDN each

Zombies are a Halloween staple (and an obvious favourite around Chez HZC) and what better way to channel your inner undead than with a couple of coats of Ghoulish Green on your leathery digits? You'd have to be brain-eating fiend not to see the appeal of this polish - it's pus-atively putrid! But, why stop there? Add a layer of Glow in the Dark, to ensure that your victims see you coming, even when the lights go out.

Both polishes applied nicely. The wear was great - only minor tip wear after two days. However, Glow in the Dark dries a smidgen bumpy, so a layer of top coat is required to smooth it all out. Also, be aware that it takes a good, strong light to activate the polish to glow in the dark - the high fluorescent lighting at school didn't do it for me.

27 comments:

Lilian said...

Wow, you sure know how to choose your colours!! I really love the black with red spots. You've shown some amazing colours up to now and I'm beginning to think that with Lacquer Lundi the sky is the limit. Thanks for the inspiration.

Jen said...

Thank you, I've seen all the Halloween goodies out & was wondering if you'd tried the glow-in-the-dark stuff. Looks pretty good for halloween night.

Anonymous said...

The glow in the dark nail polish is so perfect for Halloween-time!

So sorry to hear about your little guy. My family has a bichon frise (at my Mom's house), and she is the love of my life. I can imagine how you must feel about him being ill. He's in my thoughts, and keep us posted on how he is doing.

Lisa said...

My daughter LOVES the glow in the dark!

Sorry to hear about Simon. I ADORE my 2 dogs, so i can understand how you feel.

Anonymous said...

You have proven it. Your LL posts literally glow!

Trudy said...

My girls would love the glow in the dark polish.

Anonymous said...

I need to buy some glow in the dark nail polish for halloween!

Hope you and Simon are okay. Pets are our children too!

Lisette M said...

Such fun! No wonder your students look forward to your manicure.

Nancy K said...

some prime choices for Halloween!

Anonymous said...

Fun colors! I have to ask....you mention that you are taking 3000 mg of Biotin daily; did you mean mcg (micrograms)? I am taking 1 5000 mcg capsule per day (or 5 milligrams). Linda

gwensews said...

How fun! Oh, I can't wait to see what you have on your nails during Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Dharma said...

I love the reds!!! I am in need of new reds for the Christmas season.
Keep us posted on Simon

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

Oh how fun! That red glitter is totally glam.

Carol said...

I want the glow in the dark polish!!! Oh and I want the Nfu Oh as well. We don't get anything as fun as that here!

Mary in AR said...

These polishes are the best yet! And what great commentary; you could have a job writing editorial for a magazine.

I teared up as soon as I read the first sentence of your last post. I've always thought of my pets as family; in fact I love them more than some of my family!
:0
Mary in AR

Eugenia said...

I love Red Carpet - that's a wonderful shade of red!

Anonymous said...

I've tried to find out how much shipping is with fabuloustreet.com, as well as head2toebeauty.com, but I can't find that information without going through with a purchase!
Do you have any info on that? I am a fellow Ontarian!
Awesome polish shots and neat sewing. I wish I had that talent!


onbeautyandpolish.blogspot.com

Tesla said...

LOVE the glow in the dark polish!!

NancyDaQ said...

You encouraged me to try the Wet n Wild Fantasy Makers polish that I bought on a whim weeks ago at Walgreens!! Color 11139 Night Glow--yes, it glows in the dark! And it looks normal in the light (whew, my work is not as favorable to wild color as yours).

What great fun! Thanks for enabling.

amber said...

I rarely, rarely, wear polish on my fingers and when I do, it's never anything dark, but man, that black with the orange flecks is so awesome!! I can't think of a more appropriate Halloween manicure. :)

Summerset said...

Now those colors are definitely treats, not tricks!

I am sorry to hear about Simon - he obviously is a very loved and treasured family member. Enjoy every moment with him fully.

Barbara at Cat Fur Studio said...

My best to you, Simon, and your DH. This is a tough time, and together, you'll get through. Love the glow in the dark polish - and in general, the LL's. They inspire me to keep my own nails in proper condition!

Julia said...

I hope your dog is well, and I love the glowing polish. You have good nails, in general! So square and even. I had a square manicure last year and vowed to keep my nails cut that way, but somehow they devolved into ovals again. You've inspired me to go square once more!

xx
Julia

Reanimated Rags said...

Hi! I just found your blog by searching "zombie manicures" because I just posted something on my blog about it...but your blog is putting me to shame!! I love it and so sorry about your sweet doggie. I will keep him in my thoughts. Check out my mani at http://reanimatedrags.blogspot.com/

not that you need it!!! happy halloween, RR

The Pattern Junkie said...

Love love love the black polish with orange and green -- I'm generally not a polish kind of girl, but I'm going to hunt that down.

So sorry to hear about your dog. My dog is battling kidney disease right now, and it's devastating. My thoughts are with you.

Marji said...

Just checking in. How's Simon?

Unknown said...

I have a different brand, but I have glow in the dark polish ;)