The Top 20 Countdown
If you had to pick your favorite polishes how hard would it be? What would your process be? What makes a color “Top 20″ worthy? It’s certainly not easy for me. I go through my entire stash and pull the colors I love and slowly dwindle them down. I try to keep my choices diverse; covering most shades and finishes. I want my Top 20 to represent the colors that would get me through any event or season if for some horrifying reason I had to give up the rest of my collection.
What makes a color great enough to be in my Top 20? Well, it has to meet 3 criteria.
- Does wearing it bring me joy? A color that you can’t stop staring at. That makes me feel prettier/cooler/sexier.
- Is it flattering to my skin tone?
- Is it a unique color? Does it have an interesting finish, shimmer or pigmentation?
On the Makeup Alley Nail Board, we choose our Top 20 polishes in an attempt to find a “hand twin.” Someone with the same taste in nail polish. It’s mainly for fun but we also hope that by finding a twin, we’ll discover new polishes and avoid duds according to their likes & dislikes.
This is my 2nd Top 20 and it has remained relatively the same with the exception of a few recent releases.
(l to r): China Glaze Grape Crush, Masai Red, Moonpool, Ruby Pumps, Stroke of Midnight and Up All Night 
(l to r): Lippmann Collection Bitches Brew, Misa Chocolate Icing, OPI Designer Series Divine & Glamour.
(l to r): OPI Espresso Your Style, Lincoln Park At Midnight, Jasper Jade, Rainforest, Rosey Posey and That’s an “EL” of a Color
(l to r): Zoya Anastasia, Divincia, Raven & Yasmeen
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
What I look for:
1) How flattering it is to my skin tone (Medium with yellow undertone).
2) Quality of the brand (how shiny it and long-lasting it is!)
3) Pretty, DEEP, colors that make people ooh and ah!
That said, my favorites:
1) Wicked by Essie. OF COURSE.
2) Koala Bear-y by OPI
3) Blanc by Essie
4) Clutch Me If You Can by Essie
5) Licorice by Essie
As you can see, I have a thing for Essie, solid colors with no shimmer/iridescence, and with the exception of 2 and 3, very dark colors.
I’m a pale gal so I like both sheer and uber dark:
1. Vamp by Chanel
2. Sarah Smile by Deborah Lipmann
2. Pirate by Chanel (best red ever)
I have always been looking for the perfect bright red and that Masai Red one looks so awesome, Im gonna have to check it out!