Top Nail Polishes

by Valerie Gladstone — November 30, 2007

The following polishes look good, don't crack, and last more than a week. They are all available in drugstores, Sephora shops, or online at Sephora.com . Now I'm waiting for some suggestions from you:

• Dark--Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Black Tulip. Deep violet and feminine.
• Nude--Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Sheer Nude. Beautifully transparent.
• Bright--OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp. Hot coral flattering to all skin tones.
• Metallic--Lippmann Collection Nail Color in Hit Me With Your Best Shot. Cool gun metal with a high sheen but no tacky glitter.
• Pink--Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle. Sophisticated baby pink.
• Red--Essie Nail Polish in Really Red. True red with orange undertones.
• Basecoat--OPI ChipSkip Nail Lacquer Chip Preventer, allows polish to stick firmly.
• Topcoat--Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Diamond Shine Base + Top Coat; shiny as they come.
• Cuticle Cream--Creative Nail design SolarBalm. Compact solid so won't spill. Sephora Nourishing Cuticle oil stick.
• Nail Polish Remover--Cutex Essential Care One Step Nail Polish Remover Pads. Removes two hands worth of polish--no more wasteful cotton balls.

Quick Fixes for Unmanicured Nails:

• Yves Saint Laurent Touch Nail Lacquer Pen Brush in a flow-through applicator in shades of nude and baby pink ($23 at neimanmarcus.com ).
• Barielle Nail Brightener is sheer, iridescent white that gives a buffed appearance with only one coat ($16 at BathandBodyworks.com ).