Let’s Get Fancy: Nail Polish for Sunny Days

There is literally no makeup or accessorizing object that I like more than nail polish. Sure, I can’t leave the house without earrings, but that’s at least halfway due to the paranoia that my ear-holes will close up and I’ll have to get my lobes stapled with studs again. The nail polish obsession is just because I love it so much.

Now, I’m not going to pretend that I’m some nail artist ““ I don’t have the patience for making intricate designs on my own. No, my main draw to nail polish is all the fun, exciting colors. These colors are one of the few things that make me love winter. (Jewel tones! Everywhere! It’s like I dipped my fingers into some pirate booty, heh heh) In the spring and summer, the dizzying array of pastels, bright colors, and exciting shimmers is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Let me share with you some of the colors that have me drooling, and hopefully you’ll return the favor. There’ll be so much drool, it’ll be like a bassett hound convention (sorry, that’s gross, I am getting carried away).

Kieko by Zoya – This berry purple just has me imaging long, hot summer days by the pool, preferably with a mojito or fruit smoothie firmly in hand. The color is bold, fun, and for some reason it makes me want to eat candy (?), which may or may not be a plus. I always adore a good purple, and this, is one good purple.

Clambake by Essie – Alright, so I would have called this red-orange something fancier, like “Crawdad Boil” or “Uncle Gene After Falling Asleep in the Sun While Reading About the Red Sox,” but whatever. I love reds in the summer, well, year-round to be honest, but it’s really only in the summer and spring that one can get away with a great red-orange color like this one. I’d pair it with a natural tan and a big pair of sunglasses.

Apple by Zoya – If hot colors aren’t your thing, if you’re more of a cool spectrum kind of person, then maybe check out some of the greens. The gold flecks warm it up, true, but they also sparkle so pretty in sunlight, you’ll be left stroking your nails and imitating Gollum. My preciousssss… One polish to rule them all. To be fair, I do think this polish would be more Sauron’s speed.

Sadly, not everyone digs loud, bright, borderline garish colors. Lucky for them, and anyone who wants a break from screaming greens and rowdy reds, there are a slew of lovely muted shades waiting on store shelves/the Internet.

Sand Tropez by Essie – Beige isn’t always bland. This “soft, sandy beige” (their words, not mine) could be just the understatement you’ve been looking for. While greys dominated earlier this year, the warm weather has coaxed this warm neutral to come out of hiding, like a hesitant gerbil cautiously approaching a new food bowl. Again, I’m getting a little carried away here. Hey, at least I didn’t bring up bodily fluids this time!

French Affair by Essie – Like all things French (fries, doors, kissing), this polish holds a certain… I don’t know what. This pinkish-lavenderish color would look appropriate anywhere from the cow barn to a nice tea with crumpets. Essie’s website calls it a “sophisticated” color, which I can see. I can also see how pairing this with Cap’n Crunch cereal, unwashed hair, and a pair of four-year-old sweatpants could also be a killer look.

Now, some might say that these muted shades drift awfully close into grandma-territory, and yes, OK, I don’t dig the grandma-chic look that’s so popular with “the kids these days.” At the same time, I love contrasts, and these muted shades allow for a a great contrast with some wonderfully loud outfits.

The world is your oyster (surprisingly, a quick Google search suggests that this hasn’t been used yet as a name for a nice milky cream) – seize it with fabulous nails.

So what are your favorite colors for spring and summer? Do you have any nail care/painting/etc tips you’d like to share? I am at least 80% ears.