Butter London in Cool Britannia

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer-Vernis

Shade: Cool Britannia
(blue black color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
I'm always a fan of a dark nail. I love Butter too. And, it's nice that they make mini sizes that are less expensive than the biggies (though I generally buy them in packs, so that kinda defeats the purpose). What I didn't love was how this stained my nails REALLY badly when I took it off... Mr Clean Magic Eraser to the rescue!

Julep in Johnny

Brand: Julep

Shade: Johnny
(black color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
With Halloween around the corner I decided black is the way to go, and this is a great one. I originally got this shade because my dad's name is John. But now thinking about it, I wonder if it's named Johnny after The Shining? Yeah, that's probably it.

Essie in Devil's Advocate

Brand: Essie Nail  Lacquer

Shade: Devil's Advocate
(super dark black plum color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
I was feeling inspired by the season but I love this shade. There's just something about super dark nail polish that looks edgy and elegant at the same time. When you put the first coat on, you'll see it's plummy, but another coat or two will turn it black.

Julep in Emerson

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shade: Emerson
(baby blue color, black speckled glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
This came in one my Julep Mystery Boxes.  I was skeptical at first, but I liked it once I saw the different speckled layers on my nails. Like a fancy Easter egg.

Next Shade: Claire's in Snowball

Sally Hansen in Lightening & Tweedy

Brand: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri & Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Color

Shades: Lightening & Tweedy

(sunny yellow color with glossy finish & black and white color with textured finish)

Cost: $ & $$

The Scoop:

I was inspired by spring again here, but let's face it, this is really ugly. I thought it would look like a bumble bee. This is my second time trying the fuzzy/feather technique and I think it's safe to say this is a fad that should fade away.

Next Shade: Butter London in British Racing Green

Sally Hansen in Lick-O-Rich

Brand:  Sally Hansen Sugar Coat Textured Nail Color

Shade: Lick-O-Rich

(jet black color, textured matte finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

I love Sally, so I can't resist trying a new line from her. Sugar Coat comes in mostly pastel colors, but I went black because I thought the texture would look cooler that way. The bottle is weird and cheap-looking (c'mon, Sally!), but the polish was actually pretty nice. An interesting technique.

Next Shade: Revlon in Posh

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.

 

Victoria's Secret in Start the Party

Brand: Victoria's Secret Pink Nail Paint

 

Shade: Start the Party

(black color, pink and blue glitter finish)

 

Cost: $$

 

The Scoop:

This picture doesn't do this shade justice.  It looks textured, but really it's a sparkly finish with tiny pink and blue flecks. Definitely a disco in a bottle. 

 

Next Shade: Nuance in Pink Grapefruit

Claire's in Blackhole & Heart Pink

Brand: Claire's Cosmetics Nail Polish

Shades: Blackhole & Heart Pink

(jet black color with glossy finish & multicolor pink hearts with glitter finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
This is a different VDay look -- sure there are hearts, but on black it has an edgier vibe. Or at least that's what I tell myself! Plus, you've got to love Claire's -- you could buy the whole store and still afford to treat yourself to a Cinnabon on the way out of the mall.

Next Shade: Orly in Tiara & Berry Blast

Avon in Dozen Roses

Brand:  Avon Nail Art Nail Design Strips

 

Shade: Dozen Roses

(silver color with black pattern, metallic finish)

 

Cost: $

 

The Scoop:

I thought these looked cool when I ordered them online, but in person they were seriously ugly. Good thing they were easy to put on because I removed them. Quickly.

 

Next Shade: Claire's in Black Hole & Heart Pink

Nuance in Black Dahlia

Brand: Nuance Salma Hayek Nail Lacquer

Shade: Black Dahlia

(jet black color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

I'm not quite sure what qualifies actress Salma Hayek to make nail polish, but this caught my eye in CVS.  I think it was the pretty bottle. In general, a good polish -- went on nicely and didn't chip.  Way to go, Frida Kahlo!

Next Shade: Illamasqua in Cameo

Butter London in Gobsmacked

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer

Shade: Gobsmacked

(charcoal gray color, matte glitter finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

I love Butter.  And this is a great shade for New Year's Eve.  Unfortunately, don't plan to touch anything all night because it chips off super fast.  Like, an hour after you put it on.  But it's pretty while it lasts.  No matter what shade you choose, may 2014 sparkle!

Next Shade: Nails Inc in Trafalgar Square

Clinique in Black Honey

Brand: Clinique Different Nail Enamel

Shade: Black Honey

(blackish burgundy color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

This shade, named for their popular Almost Lipstick, looks like dried blood after several coats.  Not sure what makes this polish "different" unless that is code for "dull and streaky."  A disappointment, especially for the price.

Next Shade: Winter Nail Trends with Elle Nail Lacquer
 

Nails Inc. in Noho

Brand: Nails Inc. Leather Effect Nail Polish

Shade: Noho

(jet black color, textured matte finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

I think this is a great Halloween shade without being too gimmicky.  The textured effect is cool and looks pretty edgy.  I love Nails Inc. because they always come out with something different. Scare yourself up a bottle, or two. 

Next Week's Shade: Avon in Saturn & Gold Glimmer

Sally Hansen in Black Platinum

 

Brand: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

 

Shade: Black Platinum

(charcoal black color, shimmer finish)

 

Cost: $$

 

The Scoop:
I heart Sally Hansen and this shade. This is my nail polish equivalent of a little black dress.  It always looks great.  And I'm on Day 6 and only just got my first chip.  That's some kind of record. 

 

Next Week's Shade:

Urban Decay in Naked and Sidecar