I feel like everyone needs a good nude nail polish. It’s
like the “little black dress” for nails. It goes with everything, works for any
situation and is just kind of classy, tasteful and elegant. Basically it’s most
things that I am not! J Much like any necessity
in life, finding that perfect nude polish can be daunting and incredibly time
consuming. But alas! I think I have found it and I wanted to share my find
because, of course, it’s a limited edition polish. It is from the Olivia Palermo Collection for Ciaté in the shade “Sunday’s.” Absolutely stunning and completely perfect on my nails!
Obviously the perfect nude will differ for each person
because everyone’s skin tone is different. Even if “Sunday’s” isn’t the perfect
nude for you, I feel like it’s still a perfect barely-pink for most people.
That subtle touch of whitish-baby pink is exactly what makes this work as a
nude for my nails too. Many nude polishes make my nails look dead or
non-existent because they are just too
similar in tone. This polish is just the tiniest bit pink with the smallest
hint of white so that it’s not flesh colored, but it’s not screaming “Look at
my nails.”
As far as similar shades, there are a few that I have in my
collection, but nothing that looks quite as good. I have compared the Ciaté
polish with the shade “Ana” from Zoya’s Satin Collection. “Ana” is definitely
more tan-nude and thus essentially my skin tone. On the other end of similar is
“Whitehall” from Nails Inc.’s The New White Collection, but it is definitely a
crispier white-based shade that stands out from my skin tone a lot more. If
those two shades had a baby, it would be “Sunday’s.” It is just a pinky-flesh
that neither blends in nor stands out. Perfection!
The formula is also spectacular! I don’t know if it is just
this shade or if all of the Olivia Palermo shades are similar. “Sunday’s” has a
beautiful semi-sheer gel-like formula that builds to a perfect glossy opaque
with 3 coats. Even just one coat can make a beautiful sheer baby pink that is
streak-free, which is so hard to find. I think it would be spectacular for
French manicures, though I never do them so I cannot be certain. Two coats will
give a slightly deeper subdued pink that is perfectly even, but my nail beds
show, which I’m not the biggest fan of so I added a third coat. It definitely
has a gel-like finish that is ultra glossy and almost looks kind of sheer, but
not. It is probably one of the best formulas I’ve used, especially for a very
pale shade.
If you’re like me, you find that even the most beautiful
polishes can live or die depending on the brush. A crappy formula can apply
easier and look nicer if the brush is great, while the absolute best formulas
die a long slow death with a crappy brush. Just buy a mini bottle of a formula
you love and you’ll probably find a cheap brush with a poor handle making the
application a nightmare. The applicator on this polish is flat with just a tiny
bit of a curved semi-wide brush that fits even smaller nail beds nicely while
applying a nice even layer of polish. It never seems to pick up the prior coat
either, which is a common problem that I have, especially with paler or semi-sheer
shades. The “handle” is also spectacular – it is long and thin allowing plenty
of control. It is, say it with me this time, perfect.
Finally, we have to discuss the packaging. This is only
specific to the Olivia Palermo polishes from Ciaté, but talk about overdone
elegance! You receive a beautiful white textured cardstock covered box with
embossed gold foil lettering. Sitting in the bottom of the fancy two-piece box
is a well cushioned 0.46 fl oz / 13.5mL bottle of the marvelous polish. The traditional
thin slightly curved rectangular Ciaté bottle gets an upgrade with a gold cap
and gold printing. It is a beautiful
thing. It would make a spectacular gift and I feel like “Sunday’s” is the
absolute perfect bride’s maid gift…as well as the perfect bridal shade! This
definitely screams elegant wedding to me. J
So strange that I am in love with it
actually. I don’t usually do tasteful! J
Anyway, one of these polishes would definitely be a beautiful gift for any
woman who loves nail polish.
So there you have it. What I consider the perfect nude nail does exist and it is now in my
possession. My precious! Of course the Olivia Palermo shades will not last
forever so the debate as to whether or not a backup should be added will begin!
If nude or pale baby pink is not your thing, there is also a red and a coral in
the collection, though neither looks like anything all that revolutionary. Then
again, I’m not sure “Sunday’s” does either until applied to the nails. Each
shade will set you back $24 in the US and all I can say to that is “Ouch!”
Overpriced it may seem, but I am so, so glad that I grabbed the elegant little
box that houses my cannot-live-without bottle of “Sunday’s.” Definitely a great
gift or the perfect treat for yourself because admit it, you deserve it! J
Let me know what your perfect nude polish is. I’m really
curious what works for others. It’s such a personal thing and it seems so
elusive! Thank you so much for checking out my little corner of the world and I
hope to see you again soon! xoxo