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!

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!

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.

Julep in Lucky & Margot

Brand: Julep Nail Color

Shades: Lucky & Margot
(grass green color with glitter finish & pure gold color with shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
What better time than March to put the luck of the Irish on your fingertips? I think this pot of gold shade is a subtle tribute with a 4-leaf clover-colored accent nail. But the glitter was especially stubborn to remove.

Zoya in Lotus

Brand: Zoya Professional Lacquer

Shade: Lotus
(dusty grape color, iridescent shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:
I skipped the typical romantic pinks and sexy reds in favor of this lovely shade. It's chic enough for work, covers with just 2 coats and is always shiny without a topcoat. I'm in love.

Avon in Midnight Green

Brand: Avon Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel

Shade: Midnight Green
(forest green color, shimmer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
For the cost, Avon polishes are great. I love deep green as an alternative to my first love, navy blue. I do wish this one lasted longer -- I had to touch it up twice during the week.

Marc Jacobs in Blue Velvet

Brand: Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer

Color: Blue Velvet
(deep teal color, shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
This shade is prettier in person, the shimmery finish isn't coming through here, but it's a very rich shade. Still not convinced it's worth the price, but a nice one, nevertheless.

Next Shade: Essie in Armed & Ready

Avon in Seduce Me Strawberry

Brand: Avon Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel

Shade: Seduce Me Strawberry
(neon pink shade, shimmer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:
I've got to say, Avon is cheap as hell and they still manage to put out a good polish.  How do they do it?!

Next Shade: Rimmel London in Riches to Rags

Revlon in Bubble & Charmed

Brand: Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel

Shades: Bubble & Charmed

(hot pink color with glossy finish, bright orange color with shimmer finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

Our company sales conference was this week, so I chose these shades to show some team spirit on my fingertips.  Plus, it was in Scottsdale, AZ so this seemed like the kind of color you should wear when palm trees are involved. It went on thick with the first coat, but dried pretty quickly, as the name would indicate. Overall, the perfect look for this occasion.

Next Shade: Avon in Dozen Roses

Nailtini in Pink Russian & Multichrome Sugar Glitter

Brand: Nailtini Sugar Rim Manicure Kit

Shades: Pink Russian & Multichrome Nail Sugar

(pale pink color with shimmer finish & gold color with glitter finish)

Cost: $$$$

The Scoop:
Isn't this fancy looking? Like fairy nails. Only thing is, you need to be magic to keep the glitter on. It flakes off if you touch anything. Or move. Or breathe. The set also came with a silver shade -- cute idea but not worth the price.

Next Shade: Seche in Smitten

Candie's in Stay Golden & Supernova Sky

Brand: Candie's Nail Polish

Shades: Stay Golden & Supernova Sky

(gold color with metallic shimmer finish, clear color with turquoise and iridescent glitter finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

It's pretty dreary in NY, so I thought I'd give my fingers a vacation with these shades.  Like summer in a bottle.  Incidentally, these would look fantastic with a tan.

Next Shade: Pixi in Very Violet

Essie in The Girls Are Out

Brand: Essie Nail Lacquer

Shade: The Girls Are Out

(magenta purple color, subtle shimmer finish)

Cost: $$

The Scoop:

I chose this girl power shade in tribute to Pantone's 2014 color of the year, Radiant Orchid.  I could do without the subtle shimmer, but the it grew on me by the end of the week. Kinda like a clingy friend.

Next Shade: Ten Over Ten in Carmine

Pop Beauty in Poetic Peacock

Brand: Pop Beauty Nail Glam Nail Polish

 

Shade: Poetic Peacock

(deep teal green color, shimmer finish)

 

Cost: $$$

 

The Scoop:
I bought this ages ago at Duane Reade, but only recently got around to trying it.  I have no idea why I waited so long!  I loved this color, it's a new fave shade and looks especially sparkly for the holidays.

 

Next Shade: Ciate Caviar Manicure in Fit for a Queen & Stop the Press

Avon in Saturn & Gold Glimmer

Brand: Avon Cosmic Nail Enamel & Mosaic Effects Top Coat

Shades: Saturn & Gold Glimmer

(terracotta color with shimmer finish & gold metallic color with crackle finish)

Cost: $

The Scoop:

It's kind of crazy to me how inexpensive Avon cosmetics are, and their nail polishes are no exception.  Both of these were good quality, and the orange shade had beautiful shimmery flecks in sunlight.  A really great value! 

Next Week's Shade: Clinique in Black Honey

Marc Jacobs in Petra

Brand: Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer

 

Shade: Petra

(bronzey brown color, shimmer finish)

 

Cost: $$$$

 

The Scoop:

Apparently this new line of polish (available at Sephora) was inspired by MJ's high-shine lacquer coffee table.  I still used a topcoat here, but the color was rich and long lasting.  Honestly, though, he had me at the bottle.  I'm smitten!

 

Next Week's Shade: MAC in Anti-Fashion

Dior in Diablotine

Brand: Dior Vernis

 

Shade: Diablotine

(cherry red color, shimmer finish)

 

Cost: $$$$

 

The Scoop:

Sometimes, I think I need my head examined when I look at how much I spend on nail polish.  But isn't it pretty?  Plus, it doubles as a crystal ball... in the future, I'm zooming around Florida in a bedazzled tracksuit and golf cart with these exact nails.  Who knew?

 

Next Week's Shade: Michael Kors in Hint

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

Butter London in No More Waity, Katie

Brand: Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer

Shade: No More Waity, Katie

(dusty gray color, lilac shimmer finish)

Cost: $$$

The Scoop:

I had a different shade lined up for this week but I switched it at the last minute in honor of this tribute to the Royal Baby's mum.  It needs at least 3 coats, looks purple in sunlight, and is a bit dull right out of the bottle so plan on a top coat.  (Top hat and tails, optional.)

Next Week's Shade: Deborah Lippmann in Candy Shop

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

Sephora X in Hypnotic

Brand: Sephora X, The Prismatics Collection

 

Shade: Hypnotic

(lilac color with gold flecks, shimmer finish)

 

Cost: $$$

 

The Scoop: A nice shade for winter or spring, this one changes from icy lilac to a darker mauvey purple depending on the light.  It's long lasting and does not chip.  Even after 7 days, my nails still looked great.

 

Next Week's Shade: China Glaze Hunger Games Collection in Fast Track