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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

March 17, 2015

Looking polished: nail polishes I’ve been using lately

There are two types of women in this world: those who always have their nails perfectly manicured, and those who do not.

(Guess which category I’m in.) Have you ever heard girls say their biggest pet peeve is chipped polish? (They hate me.)

I even swore off getting regular manicures, because I’m known for smudging my nails even before I walk out of the salon on many occasions. No chip mani’s though–those are my jam. Unfortunately I don’t really like to cough up the necessary $40 it takes to get one very often, so I have to resort to at home remedies.

Being A: a very impatient human and B: always doing 8 million things at once, I need a VERY fast drying polish to keep up with me. As in, I need to be able to do my nails in a cab and have them dry by the time I’m reaching for the door handle. (Yes, if you’re wondering, I’ve done that before.)

So that’s where these 5 products come in! I know most of you are probably the same way (who has time to give themselves an immaculate manicure every day?) Here are my favorites of late–have you tried any of these for yourself?

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish

As you know, I’m a no-chip fiend, so clearly if there was an at-home version of that $40 mani I love so much, I was going to make it work. I’ll admit, this stuff definitely doesn’t last nearly as long as a no-chip, but it still lasts much longer than the usual polish. I absolutely love all the pretty colors this polish comes in too!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Topcoat

This is the real secret to the Miracle Gel polish, and requires no special light, which is a huge bonus! It dries fairly quickly, too. However, be really careful when applying it–if you do more than one coat, it won’t dry and you’ll be smudge city all over the place. When done correctly though, I’d say my polish lasts about three days without chipping (much better than the usual 12 hours I get with normal polish.) It also stays on much longer. So even after 5 days or so, the majority of the polish is still on with a few chips here or there.

NYC In a Minute Mani

Great all in one product that dries insanely fast. It’s the perfect polish to throw in your bag for a weekend trip, so you don’t have to cart around a top coat, express dry coat, and polish! Downside is that they make a lot of colors, but most of them are really hard to find.

Essence Colour & Go

This polish has an intense, beautiful, gel-like shine! I particularly love the brush (easy application even with my left hand!) and the color is so vibrant you typically only need one coat.

Essence Express Dry Drops (GO BUY THIS RIGHT NOW!)

If you only listen to ONE THING I ever tell you, go buy these quick-dry drops. They’ll change your life. I was an avid believer of Seche Vite before I tried these, and I will never go back. (It’s $2.99!) I can put a few drops on wet nails as I’m leaving and my nails are dry by the time I’m in a cab. Heads up: the consistency is a bit like baby oil (very intriguing) so you’re left with a bit of oily residue on your fingers, but nothing that doesn’t wipe or rinse off easily!

Do you use any of these currently? What are some of your favorite nail products? 

Filed Under: Beauty Tips, Favorite products

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