One thing I miss about New York life is the manicures. Stepping outside and having endless salon options (all very affordable, too!). Here in Charleston, the choices are rather grim (and expensive!), especially if you are like me and want to walk everywhere. I rarely go to the nail salon because I do not want to take an Uber to get my nails done. My favorite nail salon (Varnish Lane, formerly The Water Room, which I liked even better!) closed, and I am slightly devastated about that. They would do your nails and toes simultaneously to save time, which was the best.
I have been doing my nails at home. So I picked up a few bottles of polish and like to do my manicure/pedicure while I watch TV. I was influenced by Hillary Kerr’s addictive Substack to try the Hermes nail polishes. I sort of wish I didn’t know about them, as the formulas are indeed excellent. They have amazing colors, are highly pigmented, and wear better than anything else I’ve tried. Consider me a convert.
My Favorite Nail Polish Colors
Manucurist Active Smooth in Beige
This impossible-to-mess-up formula is what I wear on my hands most days. It gives you “soap nails,” aka clean, polished nails without much effort. I do two coats and then a bit of top coat (this is my favorite top coat, btw!)
Hermes Rouge Casaque
This is the quintessential classic red. It’s perfect, no notes. It has just a little bit of blue undertones, which are very flattering on the skin. No notes. If you are looking for a classic red, this is your polish!
Hermes Orange Poppy
This is my favorite seasonal, summery nail polish. It looks so good with a tan. Oranges (IMO) are not always great; you don’t want them to be too yellow! This one is the perfect balance. More of an orangey coral than a pure orange, if that makes sense.
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