Breaking News: I've finally found a flattering nude nail polish
I've been writing about beauty products for close to ten years now. I have what may be a surprising confession though: I give no fucks about my nails. Sure I have moods when I want to put on nail polish and get a ~gasp~ mani-pedi, but that's once in a blue moon. Nails aren't my thing. Most of the time they are half-bitten and my cuticles are dead wastelands of despair.
It's not cool to admit all of this, but I want you to understand exactly where I'm coming from when I say that I really, really like the new Happy Skin Express Gel Polish in Artist (P249). For once in my life, I have found a nude nail polish that looks fantastic with my skin color! Most nudes - most nail polish shades, as it happens - make my nail beds look more of a disaster than they usually are. I have dark nail beds and rather knobby fingers so yes, I have issues. But Artist? Artist is made for me.
Artist in bright indoor lighting
It's a nude, warm khaki that looks professional and elegant to me. It applies with no streaking; there's good opacity, but it's not goopy. I was able to get full opacity in two layers. I love that it dries in about 15-20 minutes with the top coat so that I can move on with my life faster.
Artist in natural daylight
The staying power even with the Mirror Shine Top Coat (P249) though is not particularly impressive. The color + top coat is chipped by the third day of wear. Do note though that I play tennis, cook, and wash dishes, so most nail polishes I've tried actually chips by the third day (except for the Sally Hansen gel polishes, which are more expensive and need to be discussed another day).
Nevertheless, I'm pretty happy with Happy Skin's first stab at nail polish. The price is right, the opacity and drying time are good, and the colors (mostly neutral and meant for versatility) are right on the money. I have a feeling I'll be wearing Artist often! Try the Express Gel Polish out if you like the shades.
You can get Happy Skin at their online store and retail locations.
