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Launch Editor ZOE FOSTER

What’s a good nail polish wardrobe?

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:33PM

I’m venturing into the world of nail polish for the first time ever (I was fooling myself thinking I could stay away), and I was hoping you could recommend on a good starter ‘nail wardrobe’.
Also, I keep fussing over whether or not my nail polish will clash with my bright lipsticks- which I love- and whether polish on fingers and toes need to be the same. It’s a whole new world, and I am greatly confused. Any help would be really welcome, thanks!

Lynn

Dear Lynn,

First and foremost, WELCOME.

We’ve been waiting for you, it’s so great to finally have you here, a happy, magical land where nails of every different shape and colour live happily, just waiting to be chosen to land on someone’s lucky little fingers or toes.

Now that you’ve safely arrived, there are certainly some things that need addressing, as your questions accurately reflect.

Regarding a nail wardrobe.

Yes. Great idea. And the reason I decided to choose your question to answer, of course we need a nail polish wardrobe! Every little squid should! Just as we have an eye shadow and lipstick one. Here’s what I think a lady should have in her nail polish wardrobe:

1. One nude shade such as the classic OPI Bubble Bath or Essie’s Potato Fields or Revlon’s Sheer Nude. Each have slightly pink tones, Essie’s and Revlon’s are slightly warmer. If you want something more bone-toned, try OPI’s Samoan Sand or China Glaze’s Linger, which suit olive skin better than fair skin, it must be said.


2. One red shade, such as OPI’s Big Apple, a true, deep red, the shiny, glossy red of Chanel’s Dragon or Zoya in Sam/Creative in Raisin in the Sun for a dark, blood red take, best worn on short, neat nails or, if one is feeling exciting, on longish, oval nails, vintage-style.


3. One fashion-forward fashiony shade, which should/could change seasonally. Look to Chanel for the trends here; currently they are encouraging is to wear Black Pearl, which is a deep, inky greeny-black, prior to that it was Tiffany and Co. blue and amazingly, the taupe-mocha craze they started a few years ago is still going (try OPI Over The Taupe).

4. One fun bright shade, such as Revlon Craving Coral or Kit’s Shine On (lilac), Butter London’s Minger, or OPI’s Charged Up Cherry.


5. One dark, sexy, fashiony shade, like OPI Suzy Loves Cowboys or Essie Little Brown Dress (both big this season), or the famous and well-documented deep, blakcish-purple of OPI Linkin Park After Dark.

That will definitely see you well prepared for any situation or mood, Lynn. And I’m sure all my alert readers will have some Must Have polish suggestions, too, which is great news.

Now, onto how we wear these little mini-bottles of fun paint.

Will they clash with your bright lipstick?

No. And if they do? Who gives a bat! Clashing is the new way to play. It’s irreverent and unique and imperfect, and is far more thrilling to see than matchy-matchy. I think a feisty magenta lipstick will look sensational with tangerine or mint green nails, and I don’t think many would disagree with me in this time of individualism and experimentation and fearlessness with colour. (See; Prada, Celine, Marc Jacobs.)

Must you wear the same polish colour on the toes and fingers?

Again, no. I mean, you can, of course, and no one will throw tomatoes at you for it, and in fact I quite often get a simple, inoffensive nude such as OPI’s Malaysian Mist, or Chanel Inattendu on my hands and feet, because it goes with everything and is timeless and polished (Zzzzzing!), but if you want coral delight on the lower and gothic black up top, do it. If you want subtle nude toes and elegant red fingers, do it.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that there are no rules: you can do whatever the heck you like. (Even reverse French tips, like this.) It’s your polish and they’re your nails and you can adorn them as you so desire. One thing I do get a bit judgmental and ‘rule-sy’ about however, is length. I just don’t think super long nails look great. Shorter, neat, natural-shaped nails on the other hand (figuratively speaking), always look chic.

Also: promise me you won’t get long acrylic nails with extremely square tips.

Thanks Lynn, and hey, don’t worry…. I’m sure you’ll NAIL IT!!!!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa etc to fade.

Yours in Answers,

Zoe


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49 Comments

  • Posted by: Roxymisha // Fri, 27 May 2011 12:53pm

    I agree with Zoe that today there are no rules you should be worried about with regard to colours of polish possibly clashing with lipstick. When I was a teenager it was a no no to not have the same colour on your hands and feet but those days are gone! I love OPI’s samoan sand which Zoe suggested as a nude colour and use it often on my hands while I love bright colours on my toes.

    It is fun creating a nail polish wardrobe, so enjoy!

  • Posted by: Karen-1298334769 Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 01:07pm

    Love the nail polish starter kit. I’m going to have to do some spending at lunchtime!

  • Posted by: bluebird Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 01:27pm

    Lol, love your writing Zoe!

    I also love having the freedom to wear whatever you like on your nails these days. Personally I prefer dark colours only on shorter nails and I think having polish on nails really completes a look or an outfit.
    Just remember to invest in a base and top coat. Without a base coat nails go an unattractive yellow colour, and a top coat protects your carefully applied polish…without it your polish may need re-doing within 24 hrs.

  • Posted by: Roxanne // Fri, 27 May 2011 01:28pm

    ZF, you crack me up.

    Currently wearing/loving OPI Suzy Loves Cowboys and Linkin Park After Dark is an old fave… My nails are feeling very stylish right now, very stylish indeedy. Hurrah!

  • Posted by: beautybee1 Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 02:03pm

    Love that Chanel polish. I think that nails can be any colour now. Having said that, I probably would not wear green except on my toe nails.

  • Posted by: Lynn Newbie // Fri, 27 May 2011 02:05pm

    Hey Zoe, thanks so much for your (very informative) answer. I’m already wearing OPI Lincoln Park After Dark and very much enjoying it. My little mind has already begun feverishly planning my buys for the weekend. More colour in my life can never be a bad thing. :)

  • Posted by: Bridals // Fri, 27 May 2011 02:48pm

    Ohh Lynn,

    It will start with these suggested shades and then grow and grow. The feeling one gets after changing the colour of their nails is oh so good. It’s such a great way to start a yucky Monday.

    You may become addicted like me, to the pint where your painting your nails on a conference call before you go out that night, or purchasing so many nail polishes in one calender year that you need to visit ikea to find a storgae solution. But do it, as Zoe said there are no rules except as mentioned keep them short and unclaw like!

    Enjoy!

  • Posted by: misskennedy Enthusiast // Fri, 27 May 2011 02:53pm

    OPI’s Linkin Park after Dark is a favourite of mine, but now you have me coveting Butter London’s Minger. I love that colour and I must admit now that we are heading into winter I really appreciate bursts of bright colour.

  • Posted by: sumaya Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:06pm

    I love nail polish! I have that many varieties and colours that it drives my hubby nuts lol

  • Posted by: DebstarDesigns Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:14pm

    Nails are all about having fun and expressing yourself I reckon! My top pick would have to be OPI’s “An Affair in Red Square”. I’m totally loving the new shattered nail polish trend too! Go wild I say ;)

  • Posted by: Louise-1295043242 Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:15pm

    There are no rules!!
    the more fun the better -i love the OPI Pirates collection, and I alternate them on my toes (to bring some fun to an otherwise drab winter day)

    Where on earth do I find this Tiffany and Co blue shade -anyone know a brand and shade that matches??? would love to get my hands on it!

  • Posted by: samuel Enthusiast // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:32pm

    What a colourful world we live in an its great how we do not have any boundrys with our nail colour or art, the Butter London Mingers caught my eye.

  • Posted by: tegania11 Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:38pm

    hahah great post Zoe! love it.

  • Posted by: Beck // Fri, 27 May 2011 03:56pm

    My fave OPI shade at the moment is Magdala Wine. I’m even considering it to be my signature colour nail polish.

  • Posted by: NatMon Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 04:11pm

    Love the nail polish selection, especially Chanel Dragon, great colour.

  • Posted by: lasconosciuta Enthusiast // Fri, 27 May 2011 04:55pm

    What a great range of colours and brands. I think what I need most in a nail lacquer wardrobe is conditioning and strengthening nails!! My nails are too brittle to wear such beautiful colours!

  • Posted by: Tina-1291133452 Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 05:43pm

    this is perfect! i have over 60-70 nailpolishes, and when i look at this, five is all i need. thanks zoe!

  • Posted by: Dulcie // Fri, 27 May 2011 06:01pm

    I love OPIs Matched Luggage (nude) but, apparently there’re discontinuing it! Is Bubble Bath the closest replacement (I am quite fair)? My red (mainly for toes) is St Petersburgandy but I’m thinking of shifting to Malaga Wine (both red but St P is a blue red whereas M Wine has a bit more orange).

    I do my nails every week, I feel scrappy if I don’t.

    Love reading your suggestions Zoe.

  • Posted by: loopylexy Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 06:04pm

    Awesome post!! Nail Polish definitely one of my true loves, I have soooo many. Currently trying to decide which to wear this weekend, oh the choices! =D

  • Posted by: lozfromoz Devotee // Fri, 27 May 2011 07:01pm

    Such a good post! I love that Butter polish in the bright orange-y colour, it’s awesome!! I usually wear polish on my toes but not my fingers, because it chips to fast with my job. I really like Sally Hansen’s quick-drying ones, the colours are amazing and they dry so fast with a great shine.

  • Posted by: lala212 Enthusiast // Fri, 27 May 2011 08:50pm

    I love nail polish!! It’s such a cheap and fun way to change any look. I agree with zoe that it won’t clash :)

  • Posted by: Xena // Fri, 27 May 2011 08:58pm

    love nail polish & just purchased some new
    OPI ones for my wardrobe. couple of bright colours & a nude shade. Love the OPI brand – go on so beautifully! Painted nails do make one feel ever so glam.

  • Posted by: xKMS Master Fan // Fri, 27 May 2011 09:43pm

    ohh i have heeeaps of nail polish so kinda didnt think this would be useful to me but is so is! im gonna go paint my nails blue immediately !!! thanks Zoe :)

  • Posted by: Adele-1299370274 Devotee // Fri, 27 May 2011 11:10pm

    And in no time you’ll have 10 reds and 15 nudes and 10 bright colours to chose from! :)

    Or maybe thats just me HAHA

  • Posted by: Cat // Sat, 28 May 2011 02:36am

    Love it Zo!
    I’m a nail polish slut… I love shaking peoples hands so they can check out my lovely nails!!

  • Posted by: margot // Sat, 28 May 2011 10:04am

    does anyone know where i can buy butter london in perth!?

  • Posted by: strawbsundae Master Fan // Sat, 28 May 2011 06:01pm

    OPI nail polishes are pretty good quality. I guess for a starter applying sheers shades would be pretty good.

  • Posted by: beautyaddict_xo Master Fan // Sat, 28 May 2011 06:29pm

    I love nailpolish!!! Perfects/complements any fashion/makeup look if you ask me haha

  • Posted by: luvmy217 Supporter // Sun, 29 May 2011 12:06am

    So glad you mentioned Butter London! This polish brand just does not get the praise it deserves! Goes on easy and smooth, quick to dry, luxurious packaging, lasts well on your nails and in the bottle and the formula is non-toxic so they’re not full of chemical nasties like some other brands. I also love the smaller brush (essie is great for this as well). Nothing worse than a thick formula and a huge brush, your bound to make a mess!

  • Posted by: katiekates Enthusiast // Sun, 29 May 2011 12:21pm

    my favourite nailpolish at the moment is OPI’s ‘do you lilac it?’ it is my favourite colour and it always cheers me up. i think i probably have about 20 nailpolishes,I love switching them up. I have to say I love wearing bright nailpolish in winter, cheers me up substantially

  • Posted by: Jennifer-1292053436 Master Fan // Sun, 29 May 2011 02:41pm

    I’m totally addicted to nail polish atm..my collection is forever expanding! good to hear there’s not really any rules with nail polish cause i go from one extreme to the other when it comes to my choice of nail colour :)

  • Posted by: pollyanna21 Devotee // Sun, 29 May 2011 04:18pm

    I love the Bourjois nail polishes. Affordable and great colours. I always try to keep my fingernails a little more neutral, but use super bright colours on my toes. I love that pop of colour!

  • Posted by: pinkdivamua Enthusiast // Sun, 29 May 2011 08:47pm

    OMG I absolutely adore butterLONDON’s Minger polish because I am increasingly becoming a fan of orange…. plus Iove calling people mingers haha!

  • Posted by: melmelcat09 Newbie // Sun, 29 May 2011 11:06pm

    The Rimmel FUEL (blue) is pretty good too, it’s very easy to put on and dry fast! =]

  • Posted by: Coconal Master Fan // Mon, 30 May 2011 11:46am

    Oh, welcome to the world of Nail Polish Addiction! Haha, great choice of colours for the wardrobe!

    I agree linkin park after dark is a staple in my ‘nailrobe’, but it’s spelt lincoln, isn’t it?

    And the new OPI pirates range is fabulous! My only problem will be deciding which one(s) to buy.

  • Posted by: CaseyJai Supporter // Wed, 1 June 2011 07:02am

    Zoe! I need help! My hair is dry and unhealthy, and its really static-ey right now. What can i put on it, through, leave in it or wash it with to make sure its got that .. Blake Livley shine and bounce? Given my hair isnt as thick but id love for it to be as healthy and for it to grow as long. Please, any hints and tips would be great!

    Casey xoxo

  • Posted by: Tiffins88 Enthusiast // Wed, 1 June 2011 12:29pm

    whire reading this all i could think of was nail polish on cute little hangers in a tiny little wardrobe

  • Posted by: Tanya // Thu, 2 June 2011 09:52am

    QUESTION:
    Hi Zoe,
    Love love love the idea of a nail polish wardrobe!
    In keeping with the theme of ‘wardrobe’ could you please advise on some lip wardrobe essentials? A kick ass red, a glossy pebble neutral, a ladies night hot pink etc?
    Thanks a million!
    Tanya

  • Posted by: zani Supporter // Thu, 2 June 2011 05:15pm

    I want OPIs over the taupe so bad!
    Waiting on the next pay check :)
    Great job on the blog Zoe, love it! :D

  • Posted by: Becca Master Fan // Fri, 3 June 2011 05:07am

    I love this. Bought Chanel’s Black Pearl in tax free yesterday, and am going to apply it tonight. It’s the perfect winter shade! Am a big fan of Over the Taupe, alternate it with Mod-ern girl (both OPI):)

  • Posted by: Jessielyn Enthusiast // Tue, 7 June 2011 05:17pm

    I think that’s a great post, Zoe! Lynn, you could also try “Rouge Noir” by Chanel for a lovely dark maroon/red colour… just gorgeous.

  • Posted by: chicklet Devotee // Mon, 27 June 2011 10:57pm

    I always like to have fun with nail colours, I like the look of Butter London Minger and Chanel Dragon.

  • Posted by: miranda Enthusiast // Wed, 6 July 2011 11:45am

    Ciate is a brand I discovered while living in the UK and by gosh, they are just the most AMAZING nail polish. EVER.
    (big call, I know, but I’m going for it.)

    http://www.ciate.co.uk
    Their bottles have cute little bows on them and are very cute. And they have super long handles, very easily to hold and not at all awkward (like some of the smaller handled nail polishes out there). Also, the bottle is not round, it’s long like a rectangular prism with a curve. It fits perfectly in your hand, and your nails don’t have to be touching your skin, which can be a problem with the rounder bottles for those of us lacking dexterity and nail polishing skills, like myself.

    They have a great colour called Dangerous Affair, the colour of red wine. Every lady should have it in their nailpolish wardrobe.
    It coordinates with your wine, you see.

  • Posted by: MissMel Enthusiast // Wed, 13 July 2011 11:46am

    Yes to all of the above! Try a few different brands to find the right consistency and longevity as well.
    I dont rate Chanel nail polish – despite the scrumptious colours – it just doesn’t last on the nail or in the drawer.
    I love OPI, Butter and Zoya

  • Posted by: Fashionista8P Master Fan // Wed, 13 July 2011 12:19pm

    i love the nude colours.. i dont have a wide collection of nail polish, i recently went on a huge clean out and threw all the old and dry ones out and it left me with dwindling supplies

  • Posted by: Bantam Master Fan // Wed, 13 July 2011 12:33pm

    I never thought about a “nail polish wardrobe” before… lol! But it’s always good to have some staple colours and the ones that Zoe has suggested are great!

  • Posted by: sprinkles37 Master Fan // Tue, 19 July 2011 10:09am

    i prefer pinks and natural nude tones. I love bright colours but chip my polish quickly, so if i have a nude colour its harder to see the chips :)

  • Posted by: Teapixie // Wed, 7 September 2011 01:59pm

    For my fellow Perth girls, you can find Butter London nail polishes at Pharmacy 777 in Whitfords shopping centre, as well as in a clothing store up at Hillaries Boat Harbour – not sure about other areas! Pharmacy 777 was the cheaper of the two, most colours can be picked up for $18!

    It’s without a doubt my favourite brand of nail polish so far, and I’m pretty new to the beauty scene. I have two of their colours and I want more! The only other brand I really like is ORLY, which again is 3-Free so no nasty chemicals. =)

  • Posted by: misschris Master Fan // Thu, 13 October 2011 10:11pm

    I love the look of the Chanel Dragpon red polish, it’s soo bright and vibrant. I definately want to pick up some butter london polishes too!!

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