Cupcakes and Cashmere

Nail Polish Guide

March 12th, 2013

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 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.

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  • http://www.katieeatsboston.com Katie

    Great post! I always love your nails!

  • Nicole

    Am always obsessed with OPI Taupeless and Lincoln Park After Dark!

  • jordan

    surprised you dont have essies cute as a button as you always seem to wear that most often.

  • Mychal

    My go-to neutral is always Essie’s Sugar Daddy. And I love OPI’s Can You Tapas This for a dark red.

  • http://legrumeau.com/en/ Le Grumeau

    I’ve been looking for that for years, you have beautiful nails on all your pictures. Thanks for the tips.

  • http://www.stylishdreams.com carried away

    I want to try the Chanel one. As for me, I love a nice red and I discovered from Essie, Forever Yummy. I also go for the same shades as you, opaque only.

  • http://www.pennypincherfashion.com Kimberly

    Completely agree with your picks and they are some of my favorite colors too! The only one I would add is a lavender like Rimmel London’s Wild Orchid – it’s perfect for spring :)

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

  • http://www.annacroswell.com/ Lauren

    you are too funny- i love this! you should try some of the sally hansen (hard as nails) polish. i feel like they go on the smoothest out of all these polishes and they stay on the longest.

  • http://www.thecabinetoffashion.com Salha
  • http://www.stylethroughhereyes.com Jenmarie

    Thanks for this great list, Emily! Pinning!

  • http://ohmyolivia.blogspot.co.uk/ Olivia Law

    This is such a great idea! I now need to try literally all of these… xo

  • roberta whittiker

    Love this guide. It’s so clear and helpful. Can’t wait to do my nails.

  • http://spotty-teapot.blogspot.co.uk Sophie @ The Spotty Teapot

    I admit, every time I read one of your posts, I always look at your nails. I think I have nail envy, because your nails look amazing compared to mine :)
    I like to wear a dark nail polish, it’s like you said, it does look sophisticated.
    x

  • http://trendsurvivor.com TRENDSURVIVOR

    Love your post! I am ready to try crazy nail polishes but then I look at past outfit posts and my nails make the looks seem obsolete. Now I am wearing OPI red …best option to black.

    xxx
    Nina
    http://trendsurvivor.com/

  • Megan

    I always have bottles of OPI’s Hopelessly in Love, I’m not Really A Waitress, And Aphrodite’s Pink Nightie

  • http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com/ Lili

    such a cool guide! most of those are my faves too!

  • http://Misspinkstyle.net Adela

    I wear pink the most. My nail polishes are mostly by Essie, Chanel, Nails Inc. Plus BarryM has some sun colours and they’re cheap!
    Adela x

    Misspinkstyle.net

  • jen

    wow, this is perfect, thank you!

  • anamarie

    I’m really into mint (Essie Turquoise and Caicos) or black with white dots just on ring fingers. I also like Essie’s Au Natural (their misspelling, not mine), which is a good nude for tanned or naturally medium skin tones. I paint my own nails at least twice a week. I consider nail color another accessory, like a scarf or pair of earrings.

  • http://cravingforbarneys.com CRAVING FOR BARNEYS

    Cool guide! Red is my fav!

    MY DAILY OUTFITS IN http://cravingforbarneys.com

  • http://chicandcasual.com KRISTIN

    Hi Emily!
    Lately I’m a fan of 2 couloured nails…

    http://www.chicandcasual.com/2013/03/11/two-colours-one-spring-manicure/

    But I would say my signature nail colour is a neutral one, just like your first one in the picture!
    Since I have been reading your blog, I’m also obsessed with Estee Lauder pastel nail polish ;-) {coral}

    xx KRISTIN

  • http://fashionandstylepolice.com Stella Kashmoney

    Beautiful post. I am a fan of coloured nails especially french tips.

  • http://beccatochman.com Becca

    I love this guide! It really makes me want to try bolder colors, and branch out of nuetral shades.

  • http://lavieenliz.com liz

    all excellent choices!

    check out my giveaway!

    http://lavieenliz.com/2013/03/05/rich-addictions-giveaway/

  • http://www.shomode.com Shonagh

    I totally agree opaque polish all the way- hate shimmer! Just did a post on essie polishes on my blog- just arrived here in Ireland!
    X

  • http://prettyandpunk.tumblr.com Camille

    Cool post concept. Before the Sally Hansen nail decals came out, I usually went with blacks, deep purples, grays, and light neutrals. Now, however, it’s all about the decals.

  • Col

    I don’t wear polish on my fingers. (What does that say about me? ;-)

  • Vivian

    Neat! But this makes me wonder what do you think of girls who don’t wear any nail polish?

  • Kara

    Love the last one. I am pretty certain that you originally had it labeled as Essie’s Bahama Mama, I know this because I purchased it because I saw this post, and I was in love with the nail color and how it matched your necklace. Maybe I was mistaken though…

  • http://www.namastetime.blogspot.com.es/ Namasté

    My absolutely favorites: The pale, orange and dark. 3 really different tones:)
    Nice post!

    Namasté,

    http://www.namastetime.blogspot.com.es/

  • http://lucismorsels.blogspot.com Luci’s Morsels

    My fall back is Essie’s Mochachino, but I don’t wear it too often. I have some new summer favorites from OPI too.

    Thanks for the post. I’ve been looking for a similar coral color!

    Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

  • http://www.vicariousLA.com i.s.
  • http://www.thefashioneldiary.com/ Puje LK

    This is a great guide! Thanks for the advice!

    http://www.thefashioneldiary.com/

  • http://poorlittleitgirl.com Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    Love this polish roundup! I agree…a girls nails say a lot about her!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

  • Alina

    After leaving a rather negative post yesterday, I thought I should let you know that I like your post today! Essie is my favorite & this makes me want to try out that Chinchilly shade immediately. :)

  • http://Www.pretpenser.com Veronica

    Great guide Emily!

    Xx
    http://www.pretpenser.com

  • http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com Jennifer

    So many pretty colors!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

  • http://www.handmadedreamsofmine.com Johanna

    Those are the perfect basics every girl should have in their collection! Although I love to play with the colors and create different manicures, with these few pearls a girl could definitely have the perfect mani for any given situation :)

  • http://www.hchdesigns.blogspot.com Hope Howland

    I just love red tones and pale pinks! Those are my favorites along with the classic french tip…
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

  • http://squibtoday.blogspot.com.au/ Alyssa

    I am very suprised that you don’t have any neons in these picks. I personally like a good neon. But then again your styles are very classy and feminine so I can see why you chose them.

    Alyssa
    http://squibtoday.blogspot.com.au/

  • http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com eleanor

    i love pastels and paler colours at the moment but i go through phases depending on the time of year!! :) red at christmas is essential!
    xxx
    http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com/

    (there’s one day left in my FASHION GIVEAWAY so if you’re interested check out my blog and enter!!)

  • http://fashiongalfireman.blogspot.com/ vanessa

    Man, you’re good.
    xx, V
    http://fashiongalfireman.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.katiesbliss.com Katie @ Katie’s Bliss

    Can’t go wrong with a classic pink or red :)

    http://www.katiesbliss.com

  • http://beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk Anna

    Gorgeous colours, I love OPI’s bubble bath, such a pretty nude colour!

    http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4164275
    http://beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk

  • http://www.lucyandlloyd.blogspot.com Alison

    My favorites are Sally Hansen’s “Commander In Chic” and Deborah Lippmann’s “Lara’s Theme” and “I’m Not Innocent.”
    http://www.lucyandlloyd.storenvy.com

  • http://klassystylefiles.blogspot.com.au Kalyani

    This is a wonderful guide indeed! I love opaques too, the grey and coral featured here are fabulous..i agree that choice of color says a lot about a person:-)

  • http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.com/ Stacey

    I have such a huge collection of nail polish but I always tend to reach for the same ones! Essie Chinchilly is one of my favourites too!

    xoxo
    Stacey

    http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/

  • http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/ Kareena

    my favorite color is OPI mod about you!

    great picks!

    xoxo
    kareena

    http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/

  • Stephanie

    If there’s a color I wear most often it’s a bright pink!!

    -Stephanie
    @LaminLouboutins.com

  • http://www.abitofsass.blogspot.com Chelsea (A Bit of Sass)

    I completely agree on Bubble Bath being one of the best pale shades! I like to layer it over a nude to get even more coverage:)
    xx –
    http://www.abitofsass.blogspot.com

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