Fanatic Feedback
Fanatic Feedback: French Manicures – Yay or Nay?
Earlier today the MTV Style blog tweeted, “Tired of French manicures for prom? SO ARE WE. We styled some nail ideas for EVERY high school clique!” with a link to a post where Celebrity Manicurist Lisa Logan gave some unique alternatives to traditional prom nail styles.
I tweeted in response, “French manicures are tired PERIOD.” That garnered quite a response from both French manicure fans and haters so I thought I would bring the discussion over here.
My take: I have never been a fan. To me, French manicures look fake and I rarely see them done well. The look was meant to emulate the perfect natural nail and thick or stark white tips are anything but natural looking. I also find the look very dated. The only time I’ve ever mentioned French manicures on this blog is when I discussed the difference between French & American manicures. Now colored/reverse/funky French’s are fun though I still don’t wear them often.
I remember talking to Deborah Lippmann about this very subject a year or so ago and we both agreed that we need to put a stop to French’s on fingers and don’t even get me started on French pedis. Just say no to stripper toes! Though, as Deborah joked, “As soon as we put an end to French manicures, they will come back in style again.” It would just figure, wouldn’t it?
The question I pose to you is… French Manicures – Yay or Nay?
Fanatic Feedback – To Buff or Not To Buff? That Is The Question!
Happy Friday Fanatics! Things have been a bit slow this week because I suffered a massive tear on my ring finger and I’ve been been babying it. However I do have a few fun things to show you that will go up later today.
In the meantime, I was reading a recent article on Glamour’s Girls In The Beauty Department blog about whether or not nails need to “breathe” (they don’t btw) and in it they mentioned “buffing is key” to getting your natural nails to look good.
I’ve talked to many a manicurist over the years and there are definitely two camps when it comes to buffing. Those that feel that an occasional light buffing to smooth out ridges/imperfections is okay and others who consider a regular buffing part of a proper manicure.
Now let me clarify, when I say “occasional” I mean once every few months and by “regular” I mean once every week/two. I doubt I could find a manicurist worth their salt that would advise to buffing your nails every few days as that would severely weaken the nail plate.
Personally, I stand firmly in the anti-buffing camp. I rarely buff my nails because they are naturally weak. When I do, I use a tip I received from Celebrity Manicurist Elle who told me to apply cuticle oil to the nail plate prior to buffing. The oil provides slip that prevents you from removing too many layers from the plate.
So what’s your take? Is a good buffing part of your regular manicure routine? Are you in the no-buffing camp? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Fanatic Feedback – Matching Nail Colors to Clothes?
With Easter coming up this weekend, I started thinking about what I’ll wear to dinner with the folks on Sunday and, of course, what nail polish to choose. I was surfing the web as I was pondering when I happened upon the pic below of Emmy Rossum and Zach Braff at “The Darker Side of Green” Debate and I couldn’t help but notice Emmy’s scarlet dress and matching nails. It got me thinking about the whole matchy-matchy thing.
Typically, if I plan my outfit, I tend to wear polish colors to compliment, not match, though most days I’m running around with something that just plain clashes. I’ve noticed that a lot of celebs tend to go neutral or play the matching game and even in my area I see a lot of nude, French or matching nails. So am I alone in my ways?
What about you? When you plan out an ensemble do you tend to choose a nail color that matches or coordinates with your outfit? Or do you go the nude/sheer route?
Fanatic Feedback – Is A Dupe Good Enough?
Whenever I post a discontinued, high priced or limited edition polish the first question out of the gate is… is there a dupe? From my experience fanatics look for dupes for three reasons:
1. To avoid adding an identical color to their collection.
2. To find a low cost alternative
3. To quell their desire for a hard-to-find polish with an accessible version.
It’s that last reason that brings me to today’s Fanatic Feedback query. Even if you find or franken a twin to a coveted discontinued beauty, will that satisfy you? Is an OPI Rainforest look-a-like just as good as scoring the original? Would you discontinue the hunt for Chanel Night Sky if you found an dead-on dupe in a Wet N Wild bottle?
Is it about the hunt, the brand, owning the original or do you just want the color no matter who makes it?
Fanatic Feedback – Reformed Nail Biters Unite!
On a recent post, reader Debbie suggested that I poll all of you to see who out there is a fellow reformed nail biter. Being that polish is what cured me of the nasty habit and spawned my love affair with nail color, I can’t believe I never thought of it earlier. Thanks so much for the suggestion Debbie!
So Fanatics, who use nibble on their nails before becoming obsessed with lacquer? Was regular manicures your cure or did something else do the trick? Share your rehab stories with the group!
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
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