I was on a quest: to find a nail polish that would remain
chip-free for a full 48 hours. My hopes weren't high; nail-polish
science is not as advanced as it should be, a result of clearly
whacked priorities in research and development. As robots
scurry across the barren surface of Mars, women on this planet
go about with nails that look as if they've just survived
a meteor shower.
So while the scientific community continued to misappropriate
funds, I decided to experiment and find the best nail polish
for the money. I road-tested five polishes--all in a pale,
neutral shade--with prices ranging from lofty to downright
cheap. I applied two coats of each, skipping the protective
top coat. (This was, after all, a gloves-off competition.)
Day
1
Application.
I go to Nordstrom, seeking the crème
de la crème of nail polishes. The sales consultant
assures me that Natural Pink by Chanel will make even my
decidedly utilitarian hands look elegant. But at $15.50
I'm thinking this stuff had better be good because it almost
costs more than caviar. And it is good. This tomboy gets
a perfect, streak-free application.
My next stop is the MAC counter, known for its trendy yet
high-quality products. This is where makeup artists and
models pick up the latest hues. MAC's Kool has a subtle
pink shimmer--a good pick for summer. Priced at $8, it's
an inexpensive way to update a basic look. The polish is
a bit streaky going on, which I chalk up to the glitter
thing.
Sheer Shell by Bobbi Brown retails for $12.50 at Nordstrom.
No surprises from this cosmetics line, known for its elegant,
natural shades. The coverage is streakless but slightly
thinner than Chanel's. The salesperson tells me this is
intentional, as sheer coverage has a less "done" look.
Venturing into Trade Secret at Lloyd Center, I pick up
a bottle of OPI's Gold Rush Blush. At $6 a bottle, OPI is
a good source for up-to-the-minute shades and is a favorite
of manicurists. But no such luck for this laywoman. The
polish goes on like melted ice cream--streaky and gooey.
Too bad you can't lick it off.
Fred Meyer's cosmetics area is my final destination, where
I visually edit the displays of garish blue, green and yellow
nail colors. With its built-in top coat and sophisticated
hue, Cover Girl's Peekaboo Pink seems to be a steal at $2.59.
Application is smooth and even, similar to the Bobbi Brown
polish that cost four times as much.
Day
2
Looking a bit worse for wear after some light housework.
All polishes are still intact, though OPI is showing the
most wear. The MAC polish's shimmer is dimmer, while Bobbi
Brown, Chanel and--surprise--Cover Girl are going strong.
Ugh. Craving a Cutex cocktail. The OPI and MAC
are dead soldiers, sporting unsavory chipped tips. The Bobbi
Brown is still serviceable, though it's more dishwater than
natural at this point. The underdog, Cover Girl, is running
a strong second to the pricier Chanel polish.
Later
that day:
Vanity defeats research, and the scrappy remains come off.
While my less-than-scientific efforts give credence to the
adage that you get what you pay for (Chanel rules this contest),
it also suggests that there are great products that won't
break your budget (cheapie Cover Girl kicks ass).
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Willamette Week | originally
published August 4,
1999
|
