Cupcakes and Cashmere

Nail Polish Guide

March 12th, 2013

One of the first things I notice about a girl’s appearance is her nail polish. I think it says a lot about her, or perhaps just her lifestyle, and whether she opts for something bold and bright or minimalist and subtle. I’m really specific when it comes to the polishes I wear – nothing with shimmer or sheen (though I’m okay with glitter) and in colors that are truly opaque. Based on my rather obsessive criteria, I’ve compiled a list of favorites (you can click on each photograph to see the full post), ranging from the palest pink to a dramatic dark. Of course I switch it up with other shades from time to time, but these are my classic go-to’s that I’ll always love.

What are your signature nail colors?

P.S. You can also see my “Lipstick Guide” here.

Lisa
You’ve got some of my favorites in there! For the last 9 months or so, these are my go-to polishes:
Charcoal metallic grey: Essie “Over the Top”
Greige: Essie “Chinchilly”
Blue: Essie “Turquoise & Caicos”
Neutral: OPI “You don’t know Jacques”
Dark: OPI “Lincoln Park after dark”
Green: Essie “Mojito Madness”
Spring: Essie “Shore Thing”
Pink: Essie “Lovie Dovie”
Sheer neutral: OPI “Samoan Sand”
Sheer pink: OPI “Bubble bath”
http://www.jessicawearspearls.com Jessica
I’m loving pale, grey, coral and dark (especially dark. Love the vamp look!)!
xo, Jessica.
http://www.jessicawearspearls.com
http://vittoriafiveinthemorning.blogspot.it/ Vittoria
I cant’ wear ruined polish, it really disturbs me: when it is not perfect I simply take off! I love almost every colors, except the pale’s ones: I love bright colors and reds , absolutely no black and ALWAYS Chanel
Vittoria from 5 IN THE MORNING
http://vittoriafiveinthemorning.blogspot.it/
http://www.theglitterfashionista.blogpot.co.uk Alison
I totally agree a women’s nail colour says a lot about them. The grey, coral and pink are soo like the colours i wear.
My go to colours are: Barry M bright pink, Barry M Grey and Essie Tart Deco.
theglitterfashionista.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.sparklesandshoes.com Kelly
Dark, grey, and red with a signature nail!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
My 1,000 Follower Giveaway!
http://goodlifeforless.blogspot.com Jill
What a great round up here! Some of these are my personal favorites as well! I would just add one more category – magenta! I always love a good “Barbie” pink!
http://goodlifeforless.blogspot.com
http://www.arteresalynn.com/blog Arteresa Lynn
Right now I’m in live with Turquoise & Caicos by Essie…but I say right now because my color obsession changes so often lol
ArteresaLynn.com
http://www.brunadiletta.blogspot.com Bruna&Diletta
http://brunadiletta.blogspot.ca/2013/03/an-unpainted-freedom.html
http://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/ Newborn Fanatic
Pretty colors! I really like to wear grey, red, purple, and pink.
http://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/
http://www.interiorsandheels.blogspot.ca Beverly
Oh gosh, asking a girl with about 130 nail polishes which her signature polish is is practically impossible! I must say of my collection I’m drawn toward the blood reds (currently wearing Mr. Ring Now by Sephora by OPI) and the deep purples. I wish I could find the perfect opaque pale pink though, would be perfect for Spring.
http://peekofchic.blogspot.com cheryl denise
bubble bath is one of my faves – and what i think i’ll wear on my wedding day!
http://www.stephanieodesigns.com Stephanie O.
I’m really all over the board with colors, but I have to say that I really want to try Vamp & Bubble Bath! Opposite ends of the spectrum but they’re beautiful!
Jackie
It makes me sad that a woman’s nail polish is what you notice first about them. Please don’t be that superficial. There are many good reasons for NOT wearing nail polish.
For example, I am a high school art teacher. Everyday I deal with tons of paint, pastels, charcoal, permanent markers, plaster, paper mâché, and tons of other art supplies, plus all of the daily scrubbing and cleaning that comes with 140+ teenagers. A manicure doesn’t last one day on me, so I don’t invest the time or money in it.
If you judge and dismiss a woman according to her nails, you’re going to miss out on meeting some interesting people. Please don’t be THAT person.
http://turneduptoeleven.blogspot.com/ Kelly @ Turned up to Eleven!
I have never been a pink girl – but I really love very pale pink and almost american style manicure pinks.
My favorites lately are dark and light grays Essie Chin Chilly and Power Clutch come to mind.
All winter long I was obsessed with Armed and Ready from their collections as well.
I’m a former manicurist and never truly took advantage of all polishes I could have used then.
It’s hard to pain your own nails, then have them ruined while taking polish off someone else’s fingers. If only they had gel manicures when I was in the business.
Amy
For the Deborah Lippmann color, is the actual name of the polish “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”?
http://www.sweethomesmyrna.blogspot.com Brittany
My Staples:
Pale Pink/Neutral: Essie Ballet Slipper
Red/Orange: OPI Red My Fortune Cookie
Dark: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
Grey/Neutral: OPI You Don’t Know Jaques
Greyish Purple: Essie Smokin Hot
http://www.goldendivineblog.com Ashley
LOVE LOVE LOVE this nail polish guide! I’m always looking for new colors to try out and I am in love with that barbie pink color. SO cute!
xx
Ashley
http://www.goldendivinblog.com
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.fr/ Lolita
Love this post ! Coral grey and pale are my goto right now !
Check out my new outfit post :
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-one-with-miami-beach.html
Crystal Carnduff
My favorite is OPI Mod About You!!
http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com gigi
great guide! my fav is the grey one. lately I’ve just been obsessed with all shades of grey polish! thanks for sharing this so useful! please stop by my blog and join the awesome giveaway I have going on for a smashbox under eye primer! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
Emily R.
I haven’t embraced nail polish yet (I know I should!) but I still really want to know what that light purple color is that’s shown up in a few other posts. Every time I see it, my girly senses tingle!
http://www.ladygolightlyvintage.blogspot.com Sarah Kyle (Lady Go Lightly)
love this list. I’m a huge fan of chinchilli, my fave grey as well.
http://www.facebook.com/stylistsarahcassidy Sarah Cassidy, Stella & Dot Stylist
I’m loving that pink!!
http://caitlinliz.com Caitlin
So true! I’ve only just recently gotten into nail polish after avoid it for so many years (it drives me crazy when it starts chipping). I just bought my first bottle of grey nail polish and I’m OBSESSED!
http://www.dressforthewedding.com Sukey (Dress For The Wedding)
Love your picks! I stay with pinks usually, but I really have started to love grays and tan/nude colors, too. Coral on my toes makes me feel like it’s summer!
aure
O.P.I skyfall
Tori
Love this post!
Amy
Hi Emily, just wanted to say I love your blog. I’ve just relocated from the UK to New Zealand and am loving going through some of your decor posts and incorporating some of your amazing ideas into my own re-deorating. Your personal style is just wicked. Thanks for bringing some happy whimsy into my day.
Also – total nail polish addict! I’ve bought several from recommendations in your posts. At the moment though I’m absolutely obsessed with OPI’s “Thanks a Wind-Million”….definitely a colour that should be in everyones go to list!
Many happy wishes xxx
Laurie E.
Emily, this is the forst time you’ve steered me wrong. I just bout the OPI Bubble Bath and it’s totally sheer! You described it as a ‘non-sheer’. Im confused. How can this be?
- http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/ Emily Schuman
  Hi Laurie, Sorry to hear the nail polish didn’t work for you. Perhaps it was the way you or your manicurist applied it, but I’ve never had an issue with this particular color coming off as sheer. Obviously, these colors and brands are simply my favorites, but thankfully there are literally dozens of pink options you can search for. Best of luck!
  - Laurie E
    Thanks, Emily.
  - Laurie E
    I just read something on the Internet (and you know EVERYTHING on the Internet is true) that might interest you. Someone said that the old formula of Bubble Bath was opaque, but the new one–not so much. Mystery solved?
Laurie E
Yikes, sorry for the typos in my post.
Bron
Thanks so much for your post I haven’t worn nail polish for a while but recently I got my nails done at a salon and realised how nice it was. My style is quite minimalist and I find most nail colours are too loud but your guide is just perfect for me. All your suggestions are so tasteful, classic and feminine and I guess it helps I have similar colouring to you so they all suit me. I have already bought Opi bubble bath (I don’t find it too sheer, applying more coats may help if people think it is) and I plan on buying several of your suggestions, thanks again for getting me back into nail polish again!!!! I also look forward to reading more of your posts.