“What’s On Your Nails?” with Beth from Glamour’s Girls in the Beauty Department

What’s On Your Nails? is a series focusing on my fellow beauty bloggers and industry insiders, their favorite nail polish and other hot nail topics.A couple weeks ago, Beth Shapouri caused me to have a total shattered glass moment. You know what I’m talking about? That moment when you learn something that completely changes your image of someone, FOREVER. Like say you never noticed that your BFF smacks gum like Britney Spears yet once it’s pointed out, it’s all you can hear and you’re totally annoyed. Well long story short, when I read Beth’s post on Glamour’s Girls in the Beauty Department about Eric Nies (original Real World cast member) using his own urine to wash his hair, every ounce of teen crush that still existed totally died. Yes, he looks like a mountain man with the long hair and beard but underneath you still know it’s Eric Nies, hot piece of man candy. It’s nothing a shave and shower can’t fix. The pee hair thing… total crush deal breaker. It’s Beth’s unique take on beauty that I so enjoy. She really engages her readers, inviting them to contribute, making it more of a community than just another beauty blog. After connecting with Beth when she interviewed me for the GITBD Blogging Babes series, I hit her up to participate in “What’s On Your Nails?” Read more about Beth, her fave color for spring and the kitchen pantry staple that should be added to your nail care arsenal, stat!

Introduce yourself to the ALU readers. Tell us a little about your beauty background.
I’ve always been into hair and makeup to some degree—I used to do my friends’ hair and makeup growing up in Kentucky all the time. But I didn’t necessarily set out to be a beauty writer. It just sort of happened because the magazine I was interning at, YM, needed a beauty assistant when I was graduating college. Luckily, I loved it and have been writing about beauty and lifestyles ever since. Then a few months ago I came on board with Glamour’s Girls in the Beauty Department blog and now I’m totally hooked on blogging—we have a great team and I just love the instant feedback from the readers.

Why is gold your favorite nail color?
I’m having a major love affair with gold in general right now. It started back at Spring Fashion Week when gold eye shadow and nails were everywhere. I actually don’t have a favorite gold shade yet—I’m still in the process of trying them out to find the one I’d like to ask to go steady. The one I’m wearing here is Essie’s Shifting Power. I’m kind of loving it so far.

What is on your tips and toes right now?
My fingers is are gold (that’s a current shot of me, actually) and my toes are bare—I took my chipping dark purple polish off the other day and haven’t decided what my next at-home pedi shade will be. Anyone got a suggestion?

Do you consider nail polish a beauty necessity or accessory? Why?
Accessory. Hey, some days I consider brushing my hair optional. I work from home, so my feelings on grooming have changed a bit in the past couple of years!

How many bottles of nail polish do you own?
Way too many to count. Seriously. More than 50. Possibly more like 100. Kind of comes with the job, you know?

How often do you change your nail polish?
I don’t often wear polish on my fingers—I find it distracting and then I start peeling it off. I change my toes every couple of weeks or so in the summer. In the winter, maybe once a month.

Do you have a favorite nail treatment you think my readers should know about? Why is it so fab?
I’m actually a fan of using plain old olive oil as a cuticle treatment. It’s really hydrating and it’s free (got to love that, right?). Plus, it smells really lovely on your skin.

What do you think will be the big nail trend for spring?
Gold for sure—I told you I’m obsessed. Oh and Minxing, where intricate or super shiny appliqués are laid down on the nail. Beyonce’s been going for that a lot recently.

What nail trend do you wish would go away?
Acrylics that ruin your natural nails. That kills me. I’m not a huge fake nail fan in general, but if you’re going to do it, please please look into the gentler gel nails that are starting to become more popular. Oh, and I’m not really into French manicures. They just don’t do it for me.

What is the biggest nail faux pas that women make?
Not moisturizing enough. They’re just like the skin on your hands—they need to be hydrated. Dry nails = cracking and peeling. Seriously, grab some olive oil, ladies!

Thanks for sharing Beth. If you find a 12-step program to get us over our Eric Nies trauma, let me know. And kids, make sure you add Girls In The Beauty Department to your “must reads.”