Essie in Topless & Barefoot

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer

Shade: Topless & Barefoot
(nude color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Ok, don't look at this one up close. I took it at the END of my manicure, not the beginning. But I was kind of amazed that I had this on for 10 DAYS! So, it's a little dull, and has tiny chips, but it looks pretty good. Nice work, Essie!

Butter London in Mum's the Word

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer-Vernis

Shade: Mum's the Word
(mauve nude color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
You know I don't love nude shades that make my fingers look like mannequin hands. So I'm not crazy about this one. But my nails are short right now. And I guess it looks clean -- if you're made of plastic.

Whim in Fan-TAN-sy

Brand: Whim Nail Lacquer

Shade: Fan-TAN-sy
(mauvey nude color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
I know a lot of people think nude nail color looks clean. But this one reminded me of pantyhose. Gross. At least it was shiny. That made it better. Shiny pantyhose? Not so much.

Sally Hansen in Birthday Suit & Halloween Nailthins

Brand: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

Shade: Birthday Suit & Top Coat, plus Halloween Bat Nailthins
(beige-nude color, glossy finish, black bat)

Cost: $$$ (for the polish + the gel topcoat) and $ (for the appliques)

The Scoop:
I get to do some cool stuff at work.  Tomorrow, I'll throw an elegantly spooky Halloween party. We'll be doing bat-icures for our guests, so of course I had to try it for myself. Loved Sally, liked the Nailthins, but they're a bit hard to apply and look better from afar.

Sally Hansen in Cafe au Lait

Brand: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

Shade: Cafe au Lait
(nude color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Sometimes, your nails need a color break. This shade is the perfect blank slate.

Michael Kors in Rio de Janiero

Brand: Michael Kors Nail Lacquer, Limited Edition

Shade: Rio de Janiero
(pale rose gold color, iridescent metallic finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
Wearing Michael Kors polish makes me feel fancy. And this one makes me think of the beach at sunset, which is where I wish I was instead of in my apartment glowing in the light of my laptop. This shade does not, however, come with a passport to Rio. Go figure.

China Glaze in Hook and Line

Brand: China Glaze Nail Lacquer

Shade: Hook and Line
(taupe color, metallic finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
I think this is another from the Hunger Games collection, but I like it because it's a nice, neat neutral with a sophisticated edge. Cinna would approve.

Ulta in Girl Next Door

Brand: Ulta Professional Nail Lacquer

Shade: Girl Next Door
(nude color, sheer finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
I wanted to like this shade, but I don't.  I used three coats here, but for some reason it's pretty streaky.  For about the same price (and a much better effect), you should use ultra-classic Essie's Ballet Slippers, which came on the scene in April 1982.

Next Shade: Maybelline in Mod Moss

Sonia Kashuk in Sugar Rush

Brand: Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour

Shade: Sugar Rush

(pale nude color, sheer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

This beauty line is available exclusively at Target, and is a great quality for the price.  I chose this shade because sometimes it's nice to give your nails a color break, and go with a sheer for a clean look.  Kind of like a nail detox before the holidays!

Next Shade: OPI in Suzi Loves Cowboys

Michael Kors in Hint

Brand: Michael Kors Nail Lacquer, Sporty Shades

 

Shade: Hint

(nude color, glossy finish)

 

Cost: $$$$

 

The Scoop:
In honor of NY Fashion Week, and the fact that I miss him on Project Runway, this week's shade is a tribute to Michael Kors. His debut polish needed 3 coats, but it was pretty shiny right out of the beautiful bottle.  Somewhere, Tim Gunn is smiling...

 

Next Week's Shade: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Something

Butter London in All Hail the Queen

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer

Shade: All Hail the Queen

(golden taupe color, shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

Keep calm and paint your nails.  It's easy to see why this shade is so popular.  It's totally wearable for work or fun and flattering on all skintones.  Plus, what girl doesn't want to feel like royalty?  If only on your fingertips...

Next Week's Shade: OPI in Get Your Number

Julep in Jennifer

Brand: Julep Nail Vernis

Shade: Jennifer

(pale nude color, sheer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

I got this one for obvious reasons.  It looks like a tribute to the color that started the whole nail polish craze: Essie's Ballet Slippers.  I think I've bought about 4 bottles of that shade over the years.  It's clean and classic -- like me!  I used 3 coats here for good coverage.  Everyone should own a shade like this.  Even if you never do your own nails.

Next Week's Shade: Sephora X in Hypnotic

Urban Decay in Naked & Sidecar

 

Brand: Urban Decay Naked Nail Set

Shades: Naked & Sidecar

(nude color, glossy finish & sheer nude color, silver glitter finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:

Inspired by their popular eyeshadow palette, this limited-edition set comes with 6 mini-bottles.  I went with the signature shade, plus an accent nail in glitter.  This whole kit is really versatile because the colors are neutrals, but I think nude nails look like mannequin hands so I'm not sure I'm a fan.  It did dry quickly, though!

Next Week's Shade: Essie in No More Film