It’s true: I’m pretty hooked on painting my nails.
I tend to switch up my polish every other day or so, and over the years I’ve gotten pretty darn good at getting my nails painted just before leaving the house and letting them dry in transit (while driving to work, usually) without messing them up. (Thankfully, I have Kevin around to help me do things like open necklace clasps and such if I forget to do them before the polish goes on. Thanks, Kevin! I know that’s probably really annoying.)
It’s gotten a bit obsessive, I’ll admit. Before I go into Target or CVS, I have to give myself a quick inner pep talk if I don’t want to walk out with a new bottle of nail polish. (There are just so many fun colors, and since I paint them so often I like to mix it up!)
Does this sound familiar to anyone else, or is it just me?
I can trace the habit back to when I was teaching English in Malaysia in 2008, actually. While living there, I made an effort to adapt to the culture in many ways, including wearing the traditional baju kurung to school each day:
For some reason, painting my nails became something that felt like it could be mine — and something familiar — amidst all so many very new traditions.
So anyway, that was the start of my adoration for painting my nails.
As far as brands of polish go, of course Essie is a go-to, and their shade A Splash Of Grenadine might just be my favorite polish color of all time:
But I also really love Revlon’s Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel (top pick: Cafe Pink) line as well as L’Oreal’s Colour Riche (top pick: Now You Sea Me) selections. Both have great color choices, but I also feel like the polish quality is good and stays put for a while.
However, I’m on the hunt for some new brands to try and would love recommendations! I’ve read good review for Bourjois nail polish as well as Zoya (which is toxic free – bonus!).
What else should I try out? Please help fuel my obsession, friends! 🙂
This is your most “haram” post yet, lady. ;P I loved how you and I could be such rebels at our schools without much effort. Can’t wait for our ETA reunion in August!
I know it — the only time in my life I’ve ever been a rebel. 🙂
I can’t WAIT for our kawan reunion later this summer!
found your blog bc of teri!! what do you recommend for a top coat? my nails chip immediately…ugh!
Thanks so much for checking out my blog! As far as top coats go, I’ve had good luck with Revlon’s Colorstay Top Coat. It goes on smoothly, dries pretty fast, and lasts, too!
Oooh, good to know! Thanks!!
I found your blog from Teri’s as well! OPI nail varnish is fantastic! (in my opinion), so many different colours and they’re so vibrant! Definitely worth a try 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and for your polish recommendation!