China Glaze in For Audrey

Brand: China Glaze Nail Lacquer

Shade: For Audrey
(Tiffany blue color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
As much as I like my Tiffany's jewelry, I'm definitely over this blue period.  It's bougie. And also kind of hurts my eyes. Maybe I might like it better on my toes -- where you forget you have it on, and then you take your shoe off and it's like, oh hey, piggies!

China Glaze in Love's a Beach

Brand: China Glaze Nail Lacquer

Shade: Love's a Beach
(neon pink color, metallic finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
There is one time of year that a shade like this works. Luckily, we're in it! This one's perfect for voyages, vacations, staycations, and summer Fridays.

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.

7 Red Carpet-Ready Manicures

Looking at the Oscar nominees for Best Picture this year, I realized I've actually seen most of them, which is rare for me. Usually, I just root for the one or two films I actually recognize, but this year I'm torn. Too many good ones!

So, I did what any sensible movie-lover would do: I turned to nail polish.
 

Here are 7 easy nail designs to help us decide who should take that little gold man home. Pick your favorite movies -- and manis -- below.
 

Brand: Julep Nail Vernis

 

Shade: Oscar

(gold color with glitter finish)

 

Cost: $$$

 

Inspired by: American Hustle, starring Amy Adams & Jennifer Lawrence

Brand: OPI Nail Lacquer

 

Shades: Big Apple Red & Be-Claus I Said So

(fire engine red color with glossy finish & red glitter with clear finish)

 

Cost: $$

Inspired by: Her, starring Scarlett Johansson & Amy Adams

Brands: Sephora Formula X Color and Red Carpet Manicure Nail Art Appliques

 

Shades: Dark Matter & White Matter, Champagne Wishes & First Class

(jet black & snow white colors with glossy finish, white & black floral decals)

 

Cost: $$$$ & $

Inspired by: Blue Jasmine, starring Cate Blanchett

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer

 

Shades: Ignite the Night & Matte About You

(pewter & black color with glitter finish, clear color with matte finish)

Cost: $$

Inspired by: Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer

 

Shade: HRH

(royal purple color with metallic finish)

 

Cost: $$$

Inspired by: Philomena, starring Dame Judy Dench

Brand: Nail Rock Velvet Manicure Kit

 

Shade: Velvet Burgundy

(mulberry color with velvet textured finish)

Cost: $$

 

Inspired by: Dallas Buyers Club, starring Jennifer Garner

Brand: China Glaze Nail Lacquer

 

Shades: Smoke and Ashes & Graffiti Glitter

(forest green color with shimmer finish, emerald green with glitter finish)

 

Cost: $$

Inspired by: The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Margot Robbie

I think I've got to go with American Hustle. Gold glitter and Oscar are like peanut butter and chocolate -- a perfect match!

Find out who really wins when the 86th Annual Academy Awards airs tonight on ABC at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

 

China Glaze in Riveting & Luxe and Lush

Brand: China Glaze Hunger Games Collection

Shades: Riveting & Luxe and Lush

(fiery orange color with shimmer finish and iridescent foil flakes with clear finish)

 

Cost: $$

 

The Scoop:

This is a pretty loud one, but since summer just started, I went with it.  This picture doesn't quite do it justice, it's a beautiful 3-dimensional shade that embodies the Girl on Fire.  Cinna would be proud.  The icy foil flakes are cool too and would work well as a topper over any color.

 

Next Week's Shade: GAP in Red, White & Blue

China Glaze in Fast Track

Brand: China Glaze The Hunger Games Collection

Shade: Fast Track

(pale gold color, glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:  I chose this shade because I broke a nail, so I cut them all down to match.  I thought stubby nails would look better in a subtle color, but I think I just don't like this one.  Neither did my mom.  Also, it doesn't wear well -- I had to reapply every day or two. Thumbs down...

Next Week's Shade: NARS in Disco Inferno

China Glaze in Stone Cold

 

Brand: China Glaze Hunger Games Collection

Shade: Stone Cold
(charcoal gray color, matte shimmer finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Great color inspired by the movie and unique finish.  The polish is opaque but really thin so it definitely needs a matte top coat to protect it from chipping.  But even that won't work.  I had to touch this one up a ton, but I still love it.

Next Week's Shade:
Rimmel London in English Rose

Welcome to My Medicine Cabinet

Ever been tempted to look in someone's medicine cabinet when using their bathroom? 

Well, this is mine. 

You'll notice there isn't any medicine here.  Just rows and rows of nail polish.  Look at those beauties!  From Essie to OPI and Sephora to Sally Hansen, the girls are all here.

Clearly, I never get manicures or pedicures.  I like to handle my own business.

Years ago, I went to a local beauty supply store near my hometown in Pine Brook, NJ.  I spent over a hundred bucks on polish.  Crazy, right?  It amounted to about a dozen bottles.  The girl who rang up my order had one, completely non-sarcastic question for me:

“Where is your salon located?”

Um, yeah.  I don't have a salon.

Hello.  My name is Jen.  And I’m addicted to nail polish.

It's true, Jersey Girls love their nails.  I never feel “done” without them.  A peek inside my medicine cabinet makes me happy.  Pretty colors, easy to switch, based on my mood.

Now, just because I’m from Jersey and I like my nails doesn’t mean I’m down with the fakes.  I just say no to stick-on, press-on, glue-on, artificial nails of all kinds.  Just like my boobs, lips, and lashes -- my nails are always au naturel (assuming you agree blue nails exist in the realm of natural).

Anyway, I figured I must have at least 52 bottles -- one for every week of the year -- so I started this blog to share each shade with you.

Enjoy!