Shades of Greige – Fall Nail Polish Colors

My mom tried everything to get me to stop biting my nails as a kid. Neither manicures to show me how pretty my nails could be (if only I’d take my damn fingers out of my mouth!) nor foul tasting nail polish (which wasn’t so foul tasting after you got used to it) could break my habit. I was hardcore.

It wasn’t until recently, when I discovered Nail Tek, that my nails became presentable. Long and strong and perfect for polishing!

Since then, I’ve learned to embrace nail polish. It compliments your outfit, reflect you personal style, and can pull together a look in a snap. This fall’s coolest nail polish colors aren’t as harsh as last year (no red-blacks or royal blues) but they are just as brooding and moody in shades of greige (gray + beige).

Here are some of my favorite nail polish colors (at a variety of price points) for fall.

Paradoxal by Chanel is this season’s “it manicure” and is sure to sell out. It’s an iridescent, gray-violet hue that makes for a surprising neutral and was spotted on several celebrities during Fashion Week (Jessica Simpson occasionally gets something right).

If dropping $25 on a bottle of nail polish isn’t in your budget, you can find similar shades at your corner drugstore and look just as chic.

Merino Cool by Essie has that same gray-violet hue without the sparkle and is universally flattering, no matter your skin-tone. The whole Essie Fall 2010 Collection is perfect for fall, and even includes Limited Addiction red for the holidays.

OPI makes an entire line of fabulous polishes for Sephora, but Metro Chic is this season’s standout color. It’s a smokey gray with a hint of purple that looks gorgeous with olive complexions.

Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen has a great color out called Wet Clay that’s flying off the shelves – so keep your eyes peeled! Mudslide by Sally Hansen is another great creamy option if Tracy Reese is nowhere to be found.

If you prefer more neutral colors, You Don’t Know Jacques! by OPI and e.l.f. nail polish in nude are two colors from last spring that are still going strong.

Will you be sporting greige polish this fall?

The Perfect Nail Polish If You Can’t Pull Off Black

I have a new favorite nail polish:

OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark

It’s almost black, but not quite.  It’s a very, very, very deep purple and I absolutely love the way it looks on my toes.  It makes me feel like I’m pulling off something a little edgier than my normal red (which is OPI I’m Not Really A Waitress Red thanks to Becky) or pink (which is rare and only worn if I’m wearing pink or let my daughter pick out my polish.)  But it’s not actually black because actual black looks a little too “I cover my walls with my own poetry because my life is so hard.”

Some women can wear an actual black and look sexy.  I am not one of those women.  But Lincoln Park After Dark is, I daresay, sexy on me.

Of course, as luck would have it, my favorite new nail polish is damn near impossible to find.  Locally, I’ve only been able to purchase it at nail salons, including an open bottle I paid $8 for because it was the only way I could get my hands on it.  (My husband bought a sealed bottle the same day, unbeknownst to me, from another nail salon.)  Online, this particular color isn’t available at any of my usual haunts.  The only place I’ve been able to find it is Amazon – for about the same price once you throw in shipping.

Click here to buy Lincoln Park After Dark on Amazon.

PRO TIP: while searching for a bottle in my local mall, I came across Lincoln Park After Dark in matte.  This is not the same thing and I would not recommend this ever unless – well, no.  Ever.  Ew.