I stopped biting my nails over 15 years ago. To this day, I will always say it is my biggest accomplishment. It certainly was my hardest. I had been biting my nails my whole life. Then one day, the mind was ready. The thoughts of gorgeous, sexy nails overcame the ones of whatever was causing me to gnaw at my fingers and I stopped. And I’m darn happy I did.
When my nails were long and strong, I couldn’t be happier than to take the time to give myself a detailed manicure or go to a salon for one, featuring two coats of apple red nail polish. It’s the go with anything and everything color. Always looks sharp and classic. Good for dressing up or dressing down. But… there’s always a but…when it chips? BAM! There goes your perfect manicure. Sure, you can do touch ups, but fact it, it never looks like day one and ends up looking more like a cob job.
Fast forward 15 years to now. I still have nice nails, with no bite marks. Yea me! What I don’t have is the time to do a bright, colorful manicure like I used to. Life it just too busy with all that I have on my plate. That doesn’t mean, though, I have to have boring nails. A good way to keep a manicure looking good for a long time isn’t just a good base coat and a good top coat. It is also picking a color that doesn’t “stand out” when you chip it on the frying pan or car door. Lighter yet still jazzy colors could be just what the mani-doctor ordered!
So what are some colors that can keep your fingernails looking classic, kept and neutral but won’t stand out like a sore, er…chipped thumb when its time is about up? Here are my favorite go-to polishes I love to wear when I know my schedule won’t allow some pampering for a while:
Wet n Wild Wild Shine in “Sparkled” – Want a little sass but not enough color to show any manicure mishaps? This polish goes on much lighter with one coat, darker with more. The glittery shade is tres chic with good hold power. Pretty enough for day and night wear. (Beauty retailers, 99¢)
Milani Nail Lacquer in “Diamond Dazzle” – This sparkle polish is different from most others. The glitters are light in color, iridescent, and are so fine that they feel almost smooth on your nails. With the sparkles suspended in a light colored base, it’s oh so easy to wear this all by itself! (CVS, $4.49)
Essie Nail Color in “Lady Like” – Ah, you’re not a nail connoisseur unless you have a killer nude polish in your collection. And this one might just be it! Essie’s polishes are known for their longevity and this color is the ultimate in “go with everything.” Almost skin tone, you’ll probably not even see a chip till it’s time for a new manicure! (Beauty retailers, $8.00)
Revlon Nail Enamel in “Minted” – Make sure you are on track with one of THE hottest colors this spring by getting the nails ready with it first. This lightly muted mint green flocked the runways for this coming season’s looks and is the perfect shade for a polish that’s there… but not really there. Keep an eye on this shade—you’ll be seeing a LOT of it soon! (Beauty retailers, $5.79)
If you don’t have the time or luxury for a nice manicure—whether at home or at a salon—that doesn’t mean your nails have to suffer with no polish. Give them a coat or two of a color that is sheer or neutral so it won’t be obvious when your mani starts to chip. With a light polish and a great top coat, you can wave your neat, neutral nails and not have to worry about any obvious nicks. And share with me…what is YOUR favorite light, neutral shade of polish?? Sassy likes to know!!
