I imagine quite a few of my readers are girls like me (men can probably skip this post, unless you're shopping for presents!). Girls who want to look nice, but who have hectic and wonderful lives, and can't afford to put their appearance at the top of their priority lists each day.
Chipped nails don't look nice. The inherent chippy-ness of nail polish (and how scruffy it looks with even a single chip) is why I typically don't bother to paint my nails. I don't want to have to carry extra stuff around with me for 'emergency' repairs. So in general, although I'd love to have brightly-coloured nails all year round, I save it up for parties and special occasions.
Then a few weeks ago I treated myself to my first professional manicure and pedicure. I came away with striking pink nails, but I'd already resigned myself to the fact that it would probably only last for a day or two.
Actually, it lasted nearly three weeks (four, on my toes).
Whether I was typing (one of the most chip-inducing activities, in my experience) or knitting, cooking or climbing mountains, nothing seemed to damage it. And when it did eventually start to chip away at the edges, I got my nail polish remove it came off like a dream, with much less mess than other brands I've used.
The brand is OPI. They have an amazing website if you want to see all the available colours (click through to the "Try It On" studio, where you can adjust a virtual hand to match your skin tone). It's a lot more expensive than high street brands, but considering that most nail polish lasts about two days on me, the extra expense is more than justified by the extended lifetime. Plus, the colours are simply gorgeous.
Disclosure: OPI didn't approach me, it just happens to be the brand my manicurist used. And now I'm addicted!
I've just returned from an amazing holiday in Greenland! I'm catching up on comments as fast as I can, and will come round and visit you all soon.
18 comments:
Good to know about these products! Do share Greenland with us. Please!
they do some gorgeous colours as well. unfortunately they still only last around 2 days for me :(
They have SHINY PURPLE GLITTER nail varnish. I'm sold!
So, you are a nail girl...who would have guessed.
That was fun...cool play site. I've heard of OPI from others who actually wear nail polish. I always feel like a kid playing dress up - even at my advanced age - and, like you, I didn't want to work that hard at it. Thanks.
I love OPI nail polish. And those colors are to die for.
Mary
Ace! The difference I've found with manicures is the base coat & top coat. When I've used the same brand of polish at home without those two steps it's better than high street, but not as good as the salon. I have, however, yet to buy any top or base coat...
Ooooh sounds good! I have to paint my nails every day to stop the chips and it drives me nuts!!! May have to try some of this!!!
so, bright pink nails for your holidays - zingy:-)
Glad you're back safe and sound - the badger pictures are up on my blog when you get a moment. love you xx
http://cadugdale.blogspot.com
That brand came out back in the early nineties here in the state, and being a former hairdresser, we all ran around with it on our fingers and nails! Me, my color of choice- burnt orange, and it still is, at least on my toes :)
Oh oh oh, I am going over and look at your mum's badger pics!
That's my favorite brand! My pedicure lasts for weeks until I finally can't stand the growth.
Oooh, I like the sound of that. Although I recently discovered self french manicure/pedicure. Buying a white french manicure pen and it's so far lasted almost 2 weeks on my twos and looks really smart :)
OPI is that good is it? I've wondered. You've reassured me. I too love to have painted nails but use my hands so much it just never seems viable. Thanks for the tip!
I have the exact same problem.
Thanks for the tip. :)
Thanks for stopping by. I hope the trip was wonderful!
I have elephant pink OPI that I bought at the salon to use. I love it
! I had my first manicure a few years ago and was amazed. It is the ONLY thing that keeps me from biting my nails.
I love how shiny and smooth they are. I think manis/pedis are well worth the bucks!
:-)
I've never seen OPI. I wonder if they have that here. I don't usually wear nail polish, but I have 2 dtrs so...
As someone who uses her fingers everyday writing for a living, I can attest to the trauma of chipped nails. As someone who also doesn't believe in weekly manicures, I can attest to the quandry of cheap, no chip polish. I have studied nail polishes using all my investigative reporting skills and this is what I've found" Professional grade nail polish like OPI and China Glaze do last longer but they still chip. They also cost twice as much as drug store brands. What really makes the difference is the top coat but not just any top coat, it also has to be professional grade and Seche Vite is the all-time top performer. Without it, OPI, Sally Hansen, Revlon, it really soesn't matter, it will chip on my nails within 3 days. With the Seche Vite, I get manicure grade polish that won't chip for weeks. Right now, I'm wearing a zesty tangerine color and will be switching to bright violet (OPI) next week. Seche Vite isn't available in regular stores, you have to go to make up emporiums like Ulta to buy it but I'm telling you, it makes a huge difference!
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