Is high-end nail polish really worth it?
Filed under: Cosmetics
Short answer: No, not particularly.Yeah, it's experience-sharing time. Recently, I decided to take a break from my drugstore nail polish and try out a taste of the good life, treating myself to a bottle of $20 Chanel "Black Satin" polish (yes, I like black nails). Since my usual nail routine consists of $1 NYC varnish and top coat, Chanel was a big step for me. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting... Suddenly magical nails that never chip, always look perfect, and play Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major every time I open my hands? Naw. I guess I just expected good quality... at least $20's worth of quality. To my dismay, the polish still chipped quickly and, most surprisingly, the coats wore thin and didn't hold up as well as my cheap drugstore polish. Looking at my nails right now, which I painted only two days ago, the solid black has faded to a strange deep brown. With my drugstore polish, it seemed to chip more easily, but at least the color held up very well and stayed an eternally abysmal black. Maybe this is why goths aren't known for turning to Chanel.
I suppose I just haven't stumbled across the right brand yet... I guess it's time for me to find the happy medium between the cheapest of the cheap and the high-end.
Kay 8-29-2007 @ 5:23PM
the two best nail polishes for me are ORLY and OPI. they're a bit more expensive than dollar nailpolish, but certainly cheaper than chanel. i'm pretty active and find they do not chip or fade as fast as other brands. i've never tried the black though - i personally would not wear that color on my nails unless it was halloween!
also - is there a way to fix this commenting system? i find i often have to try to post something 3 or 4 times before it actually works. typically i give up instead of trying again. does anyone else have this problem?
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Heather 8-29-2007 @ 8:53PM
Um, is black nail polish really worth it anymore???
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Meg 8-30-2007 @ 3:36PM
You should try Wet n' Wild Wild Shine in Creme Black. Its like a buck. Its not too runny. And you usually need one coat. And, its shiny. ( I have a thing for shiny stuff)
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LC 8-30-2007 @ 8:16PM
I don't much like going to the nail salon (I'm a DIY kinda girl) but the last time I went, they used OPI and it really held. The only issue I have with the brand is that there are so many colors that it's hard to tell the difference between similar shades. Is "Peach blush" more sheer than "Peachy keen" ? Do I detect a hint of glitter in the latter? Oh, I give up.
Oh, and Kay: I have the commenting problem as well. What I typically do is copy my comments in case it doesn't go through - all you have to do is paste to try again. After the second failure, though, I just give up.
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LC 8-30-2007 @ 8:18PM
I don't much like going to the nail salon (I'm a DIY kinda girl) but the last time I went, they used OPI and it really held. The only issue I have with the brand is that there are so many colors that it's hard to tell the difference between similar shades. Is "Peach blush" more sheer than "Peachy keen" ? Do I detect a hint of glitter in the latter? Oh, I give up.
Oh, and Kay: I have the commenting problem as well. What I typically do is copy my comments in case it doesn't go through - all you have to do is paste to try again. After the second failure, though, I just give up.
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Fash 8-30-2007 @ 10:45PM
Black nail polish is totally worth it. I touch up any chips once or twice a week, then redo the whole job every ten days or so. OPI is my usual brand, but my current obsession is Rimmel Lycra Wear + Minerals in Black Satin. It holds up well and stays shiny black - I highly recommend it!
When I want to wear my nails a little longer (1/4" past fingertip or so), I stick with OPI Pistol Packin' Pink or another pale shade...it's funny how I only wear the same 3 or 4 colors of nail polish, yet I own 30+ bottles that cover just about the entire spectrum. I guess that's what toes are for.
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Rebecca 9-02-2007 @ 12:31PM
I am a licensed cosmetologist, so I can buy all the salon brands at cost. My favorite is Essie, but I have learned a little secret. The top coat that comes with Revlon Color Stay nail polish maks ANY nail polis really last, even the cheap stuff!
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Kelco 9-05-2007 @ 10:34PM
I always have problems with the posting system! I always give up, so heres to hoping it works.
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