Essie Berry Naughty

Essie Berry Naughty · $8.50

I guess you could say I'm on a berry kick at the moment. Berry nails, very berry lips, and actually, I've been downing some amazing smoothies during brunch as of late.

I never used to be a dark nails kind of girl. I've always felt somewhat intimidated by them, if I'm quite honest. But now? I seem to be 1000% channeling my inner witch. I slightly blame all the Fleetwood Mac I've been listening to, but hey, I'm just doing my thing (and plus, who can deny the greatness that is Stevie Nicks?!).

Let's be real though, this color is pretty amazing. I'm still not sure if I love it as much as Essie Wicked, which was the last color I donned on my lil finger tips, but it's up there in deep polishes that I adore. The name is soooo punny but I 'spose I am berry naughty as of late. Har har.

As an aside: I absolutely loathe how Essie's polishes wear. I'm lucky if I can get a good five days out of them and that's with a solid coat of Seche Vite. I expect a bit more from such a popular company that isn't on the cheap side. But alas, the color range is incredible and I personally can't seem to keep away (obviously). So if you don't mind having to redo your manicure every few days and are looking for a lovely deep purpley red, go. for. it.

What are some of your favorite dark polishes? I'm definitely in the market for some new colors!

nails inc. Baker Street

hands are actually pretty creepy. sorry. 

I've had this little bottle of joy stashed around the house for like, two months now. Week by week, manicure after manicure, I contemplate applying the color that is so commonly known as Beyonce blue. Blue isn't really my thing so I (without contemplation) opt for the usual, Essie's Yogaga. Not this week. Maybe it's all the spooky ghosts getting to my head...

Honestly though, this color is just as amazing as everyone says it is. I'm slightly mesmerized by my own fingers while typing out this post; it's such a gorgeous royal blue. I really just don't understand how I could love this color on my nails, but I do. It's the kind of thing I normally despise but there's just something about the hue, the almost purple but not quite. It manages to have some sort of chic air to it, despite how flashy you think it'd be. It's pretty perfect as far as blue polishes go and I think I might actually be in love. Application was great — looks even better with Seche Vite (of course) AND if this wears as well as all the other nails inc. polishes, I'll have this baby on for a good 5 days. We'll seeeeeeeee. 

The second I run out of this sample I'll be repurchasing. Baker Street, you surely do live up to your own hype. <3

OPI Samoan Sand

 OPI Samoan Sand / $6

Last week I found and lusted (hard) over a very very lovely nude polish, which I featured in my latest moodboard. Nude colors are just so chic to me, but as a pale and yellow toned gal, I find it hard to find the right nude to suit my skin. When I saw this photo of Samoan Sand however, I was absolutely, totally, whole-heartedly convinced.

Nudes remind me of France. Maybe it's because of how effortlessly delicate yet dignified they are. Maybe it's because the idea of nude polish paired with a Breton shirt makes me want to be sipping wine at some café in Paris discussing who knows what with the love of my life. Something un-ironically romantic and chic, and not in a try-hard sort of way. Things like that just make so sense in my mind to the point where I might obsess over the idea until it becomes a reality in my life.

Samoan Sand is above all things, flattering. It's not too yellow or pink; I find that most nudes are more one than the other (usually pink) but this is truly and genuinely, a neutral. It's the kind of color that is a statement in and of itself. While it's not a bright blue or mint green, it's somehow still alluring in quite the same way. Your eyes are drawn to the lack of contrast between nail color and skin tone. To me, this is honestly the perfect nail color ever. One that will never go out of style or be considered tacky — it's very elegant and ever so slightly provocative, as flesh tones can sometimes be.

The formula is wonderful and painting was a total breeze as the OPI brushes are near perfect, size and all. I'm hoping the lasting power of this is as great as I remember it to be, although I'm sure that I'll be wearing this daily for the next few months so I won't mind if I have to every 5 days. I haven't really used any OPI polishes in a while, but they make me nostalgic for middle school and high school when I used to go to my mom to her favorite nail salon and get myself a set of pretty acrylics.

I'm more of an au-naturale kind of girl now, as you can tell.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Flirt

Revlon Nail Enamel in Flirt / $3.99

This sunny California weather is doing weird things to me. Firstly, I've been radiating positivity for the last week (could be the yoga I've been doing, maybe), I've been cleaning a ton, and now I'm donning a blue-toned purple polish. Why is this out of the ordinary? Blue toned anything usually doesn't suit my olive complexion but ahhh, I couldn't leave the store without this one.

It's a nice change from my normal mint green or lilac and it's just bright enough to be cheerful without being obnoxious (though the name kind of is... Flirt, really??). Topped with Seche Vite makes this stuff last for a good 5 days (shout out to my dishwasher for allowing me to have a nice manicure). I'm not the kind of person who likes to change their nail color every few days, so longer lasting power = happy me. I have a feeling that I'll be keeping this color for on for as long as I can stand it. There's something about this polish that I just adore. Not to mention that it was only $3.99 plus tax, win!

Have you guys tried any Revlon polishes? What are your favorite colors?

American Apparel Nail Polish in Office

American Apparel Office / $6

I like American Apparel. Their clothes are comfy and even though they don't suit my body shape, I still buy all their skirts. Oops. I was never one to who was interested in their nail polishes and accessories because I feel like no one talks about them (and I guess in my mind that made them less... good?). Then last week I placed an order for said skirt, needed a few more $$ to get free shipping, and popped a nail polish in my cart. Let me just say: I wasn't expecting much.

I was pleasantly surprised — the color was absolutely fantastic, application was a breeze, and so far I've been wearing it for FIVE DAYS. My nails look like THAT after FIVE DAYS. Stunned. As much as I love their color range/names, Essie polishes last anywhere from 1-4 days for me which is not good at all. I don't actually have time to sit around every other day and give myself a manicure. I'm hoping I can last a good week before this starts to really chip off and if that's the case, you can bet your buns that I'll be buying a few more of these little puppies. For the price, I can't really complain either. Cheaper than Essie! I'm so down.

What do you guys think of AA polishes? What are your favorite shades?

Orly Foil FX Polish in Rage

Orly Rage · $8.50

Sooooo I don't usually do posts on nails. Scratch that, I never do posts about nails. Well, that's about to change... I hope. Unfortunately for me, I'm super prone to biting my nails when stressed/anxious/nervous/etc and I'm one of those people who is always stressed and therefore always biting. Sigh. So here I am again on a journey to grow them out for the holidays and hopefully keep them at a decent length. I'm wearing falsies in these photos but once they come off I'm 100% going to crack down and let them grow naturally. Funnily enough, when I do let them grow they get long, don't break or chip, and are generally really awesome — go figure. Also please excuse the slightly messy paint job, I'm a little rusty!

This is my first Orly polish and when I saw in the store it I knew I had to have it. Metallics are really in right now, or so it seems, and I'm falling for rose gold all over again. Overall, Rage is a super flattering color to have on your nails and goes with basically everything. The formula seems great so far and there's not much chipping or peeling as you can see (though I'm only three days in). This is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite nail polishes — so much to love!

What do you guys think of this color and Orly polishes in general? Also let me know if you'd like to see more nail posts in the future!