DIY: Nail Maintenance, Part 2

Just a while back I wrote about the problem with my nails and what I do for nail maintenance. Along with using the cuticle cream, nail hardener, and keeping them covered, I also tend to paint my nails with colored polish. I usually prefer color over a nude nail, and two colors have been in heavy rotation since about last spring: bright white or a coral-orange red. The trick to my nail polish however is it’s drying time. I pretty much exclusively use nail polish that will dry in a minute or two. Trust me! It does.

My Favorite:
Essence Color and Go
I first found Essence Color and Go at a Boots in Bangkok. On a whim I gave the $2 bottle a try and picked up three colors–the favorite coral-orange red being one of them. There are two characteristics that set this one out from the others: the consistency of the polish is nice and thin, so it goes onto the nail easily. The other reason is the application brush–it’s curved to fit perfectly into your cuticle nail bed. When I saw the brand again on a recent trip to Jakarta (in the grocery store no less!), I picked up three more colors.

Second Up:
Miss B.
(At one time I found the website for this brand but now I can’t find it. Miss B. is a local brand.) There’s a little stall in Island Beverly in Causeway Bay where I first stumbled upon Miss B. You can’t help but stop when you pass by all the beautiful colors. The consistency of this polish is also quite good. My other favorite color, bright white, is of this brand. Sometimes white nail colors crack after a day or too. Not this one; it looks good all the way to day three!

Runners Up:
Sally Hansen Inst-Dry
I’ve only been able to find Sally Hansen Insta-Dry while I’m at home, so each summer I’ll pick up a color or two. It’s definitely fast drying, but it is a little goopier than the other two so I tend to be a little cautious for a minute or two longer.

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel
Bourjois is a great makeup line. Again, this nail is similary in consistency to the Sally Hansen, so you need to be patient a couple more minutes while this lacquer dries. Bourjois like Essence has an awesome curved brush that makes applying super easy.

There you have it: my four go-to polishes. This is true. I often will be heading out the door with my soda water opened, but then I stop for maximum a minute and quickly paint my nails. Then, I carefully grab my bag and soda can and head out the door. By the time I make it to the bus, presto! My nail are dried!!