{Mad About Nails} Fall is for Teal

I've had quite a few people comment on my nails in the past ask what I was using or wish I'd done a close-up so they could see better, etc., etc., and had a realization: Why not do a feature on nail polish? It's not book-related (Unless you're wearing the new HUNGER GAMES-inspired line from China Glaze, but I'm not even going into how wrong that is...), but it's fun. Plus, if I do this feature, I'll be more likely to re-paint my nails this week and less likely to let them chip their way to the bare bones (which would mean that I could see my nails...and if I see them, I want to bite them!).

Welcome back to another edition of Mad About Nails! 

I was so happy with this week's manicure! 
I absolutely LOVE the colors I chose and  the unique unside-down way I styled everything! 
It's perfect for fall!

Here's a video of the materials used

(Or keep reading below!):

YouTube Link

These two are POWERHOUSES for
long-lasting manicures!  One lasted
1.5 weeks, the other for 2!!!

I started off with a basecoat of ORLY "Bonder."  Many of the professional nail studios use this as a basecoat when doing nails for their clients.  It's a rubberized coat that helps polish adhere to the nail.  It stinks, but it's great!

I finished everything with a top coat of Revlon's "Quick Dry Top Coat."  I'd heard it was a rival for the legendary Seche Vite, but with fewer harsh chemicals.  It also doesn't go bad in the bottle or shrink when used.  I was intrigued, and so far, this stuff is FABULOUS.

Together, this combo has made my nails last, on average, 1.5 to 2 weeks. They're both awesome!

For my base color:

I started out with two coats of Essie "Vested Interest" from the new Fall 2013 For The Twill of It Collection. It's a beautiful dusty teal that's perfect for fall.

It's so shiny and smooth and captivating. I seriously can't stop staring at it! I used a mini bottle from the Cube sampler pack, but I seriously need to own this color. I'm in love! It's a new favorite of mine!

This was my first time EVER wearing--or owning--any sort of Essie nail polish! I don't know why I never took the plunge before, but that's about to change for sure!

For my design:

I've heard--and seen--just how closely Essie "For The Twill of It" from the Fall 2013 For The Twill of It Collection resembles OPI "Peace & Love & OPI" from the Fall 2013 San Francisco Collection. I first saw "Peace & Love & OPI" and fell in love with its unique duo-chrome. Every picture I saw looked great, and the light makes this polish turn into all sorts of colors! I didn't need both, since they ARE so similar, but both came in the sampler from both collections, so I might as well compare them, right?

The reverse moons and accent nail on my left hand feature the Essie; my right hand represents the OPI. Can you tell the difference? I really can't!

I will say that the OPI formula was a little nicer and smoother. I only needed two coats to achieve perfection. The brush was worse, though, since the mini bottle was smaller and I needed more strokes. I needed three coats to level out the bubbling of the second coat of the Essie, but the mini bottle is a little bigger with a better brush. The formulas are similar enough that either brand makes a great choice. You may have an easier time finding the OPI, since more San Francisco polish is stocked than For The Twill of It...and more OPI in general! I always see the OPI at my local ULTA, but all the Essie is long gone there...

Essie "For The Twill of It"

OPI "Peace & Love & OPI"

The duo-chrome seems more purple than teal in most of the pictures I've seen, but when paired with the teal, it brings out the teal and steel tones more frequently than the purple. I love the shimmer!

I've  had a lot of compliments on my nails this week, and it's a true testament to how gorgeous these colors are in person! I absolutely love them!

 Is anyone else obsessed with nail polish? What are you wearing right now?