Lauren B Beauty in Santorini Seduction

Brand: Lauren B Beauty 7-Free Nail Couture

Shade: Santorini Seduction
(deep navy blue color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
I found this shade on Beauty Habit, and I loooooove it. I think if you look at my fave shades, you'll find 100 navys. I'm SO glad someone invented it as a nail color. And this one is great because it went on super smooth without any streaks. Two coats did the trick!

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!

ILNP in Mega

Brand: ILNP (I Love Nail Polish) Boutique Nail Lacquer

Shade: Mega
(semi-sheer silver color, rainbow iridescent finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
So I was on Amazon and they had this new section of "interesting finds." Lo and behold, this beauty was in the mix so I snapped it up along with 3 others.  This is like a disco ball in a bottle and I love it!

Sally Hansen in Dig Fig

Brand: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

Shades: Dig Fig & Top Coat
(cranberry red color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
My college roommate gave me this shade when I came over to make Christmas cookies with her kids, so it's got fun memories for me. But it's also just a great holiday color that works all month long. Merry everything!

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.

Julep in Marika

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shade: Marika
(graphite gray color, matte metallic finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
What better color to pick for back to school than a graphite gray? Like a pencil! Do students even use pencils anymore? I dunno. Anyway, I did like this shade very much, but I don't love the matte trend.  I like my nails like I like my apples.  Shiny.

Julep in Darby

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shade: Darby
(dark emerald green color, shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
This shade is a good way to get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day without looking like a leprechaun barfed on your nails. I took this pic about 5 days after painting my nails, so you see its rubbing off on the ends, but no chips.  Talk about luck!

Covergirl in Nemesis

Brand: Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss, Star Wars Collection

Shade:Nemesis
(deep burgundy color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
This shade is almost black. Like Darth Vader's soul. I'm not really into Star Wars (and if I was, I'm a fan of the old school variety), but this caught my eye in CVS. I hate being left out of a pop culture sensation. Plus, I hear this is the color Chewbacca uses on his toes.  Good choice!

Sally Hansen in Quick Jeanius

Brand: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color

Shade: Quick Jeanius
(deep blue color, shimmer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
Blue nail polish might be the best beauty invention ever. I love the way it looks, and this little gem is extra special because it's cheap (but doesn't look it). I'm in blue heaven!

Orly in Saturated

Brand: Orly Nail Lacquer

Shade: Saturated
(electric deep purple color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
I thought purple would be a nice switch from blue, but all it made me do is wish I was wearing blue. Know what will make me feel better? Turkey. And stuffing. And taters. That's something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ten Over Ten in Commerce

Brand: Ten Over Ten Five-Free Nail Polish

Shade: Commerce
(ink blue color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
No matter how many shades I try, I always come back to navy. In honor of the NYC marathon, I went with this brand. Each color is named after a downtown NYC street. Even the salons feel like you're in someone's apartment. Expensive, but good.

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.

Sally Hansen in City Slicker

Brand: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color

Shade: City Slicker
(purple color, glossy finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
I got this grapey shade after seeing a similar one on a colleague during a meeting.  It looked better on her.  But it did dry fast!

Sally Hansen in Beatnik

Brand: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

Shade: Beatnik & Gel Top Coat
(royal blue color with glossy finish, and clear gel finish)

Cost: $$$ (for the polish + gel top coat)

The Scoop:
At work, we held an event for New York Fashion Week sponsored by Sally Hansen with their whole line of Miracle Gel polishes available for manis. I fell in love with this shade and ran right out to buy it. They say it lasts up to 2 weeks, I'm at 9 days with almost no chips, proving strength is always in fashion.

OPI in Peace & Love & OPI

Brand: OPI Nail Lacquer

Shade: Peace & Love & OPI
(gray, purple & green iridescent color, metallic finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
This is a fun one because it's a different color in every light. The photo doesn't do it justice. Purple in sunlight, green in fluorescent light, and gray pretty much everywhere else -- it's like a mood ring for your nails!

Zoya in Neve

Brand: Zoya Professional Lacquer

Shade: Neve
(navy blue color, subtle shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
Today's my birthday and navy's my favorite nail polish shade, sooo... here's a good one to help soften the blow of turning 42. Make a wish!

Revlon in Indigo Night

Brand: Revlon Color Stay Longwear Nail Enamel

Shade: Indigo Night
(electric blue color, glossy finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:
Today's my brother's bday, so in his honor, I went with his favorite color: Blue. This is a great one because it does stay on a long time without fading or chipping. Revlon's reliable like that. Just like my bro!

Butter London in Prince's Plum

Brand: Butter London 3-Free Nail Lacquer Vernis

Shade: Prince's Plum
(deep purple shade, metallic finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
This photo doesn't do this regal shade justice.  It's purple in some lights and blue in others. I'm not totally sure I like it, but I want you to have all the facts. This one's a mini, just like the prince.

Julep in Marion

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shade: Marion
(teal green color, silver shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
I picked this one because Marion sounds like an Irish name to me, but this isn't the quintessential green St. Patty's (Paddy's?) Day shade. And I like that it has a hit of silver mixed in for a shimmer in the light.

Avon in Deluxe Chocolate

Brand: Avon Nailwear Pro+ Nail Enamel

Shade: Deluxe Chocolate
(deep brown color, metallic finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
I never understand how Avon can sell their makeup so inexpensively. Here's another example where their quality is just as good as polishes 3x the price. Definitely some chocolate you won't feel guilty about.