Do it Yourself: Newspaper Nails

Don't judge this DIY project based on my nails. I did this after a few drinks (this project is THAT easy). They can turn out darker and with more clarity when given more attentiveness.

Step 1: Nail Polish. 

I used a base coat from OPI to promote a longer lasting manicure, along with OPI's Alpine Snow, and a top coat from OPI as well. It's just a coincidence my polishes here are all from OPI, because I pledge my allegiance to no one nail polish brand. I.LOVE.THEM.ALL. (except Sally Hansen). 

The top coat goes on after the newspaper print so after you do a couple coats of white hold off on that step.

Step 2: Newspaper. 

Cut out your favorite section of the newspaper. If you're any bit as nutty as me you'll go straight for the horoscopes (why is Mars semi-sextile with Jupiter again this month??! So totally annoying.).

Step 3: Rubbing alcohol. 

This is how to make the magic happen. After your white polish has dried, put a piece of your newspaper (cut  slightly larger than your nails) over a nail. Apply rubbing alcohol over until wet. I use a Q-tip, but anything that will absorb and distribute the rubbing alcohol will work. 

Hold the newspaper very still, and stroke over top fairly hard so it comes off in the same place and darkly. You'll develop some technique after a few nails so don't worry too much about it initially. Make sure to apply the top coat afterwards otherwise the print will come right off.

And voilà Newspaper Nails :)

Product Spotlight: Essie Nail Polish

Are you really matte about me Essie? Because I am totally matte about you.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who obsess about nail polish and those who don't. I know I'm making a strong divide, but nail polish is just one of those things that you either obsess about or are oblivious to (like recycling or Rob Patterson).

This, I suspect, is due to two characteristics of nail polish:

Firstly, once one makes a commitment to nail polish it is difficult to remain aloof to any bit of polish chipping or nail breaking. And chipping and breaking happens constantly regardless of how much keratin you digest (fun fact: nails grow faster in the summer than any other season). Indeed, nail maintenance can be rather demanding and an emotionally exhausting endeavor (yay neuroticism).

Secondly, it appears to me that nail polish is one of those small negligible purchases that allows itself to be bought in not-so-innocuous-on-my-visa-statement-after-all frequency. Relatively cheap and small items always have the consequence of becoming collected and like squirrels hoarding nuts for the winter, girls amass unreasonable amounts of pretty paint.

So understandably, when one comes across a nail polish that particularly tickles one's fancy one goes a little bonkers like I did when I bought Pink Parka by Essie.



This shit is bananas.

It has an eye-catching matte finish, goes on very smoothly, and lays remarkably thinly on your nails. What more could a nail polish junkie want? MORE.

Essie Weingarten, the founder and president of Essie created the brand back in 1981 due to a lack of fashion-forward shades in the market. Weingarten says. “Years ago, the polish choices at the salon didn’t reflect that; they were so limiting, so I took a risk and made shades that were new and exciting.”

From the bottom of my lacquer addicted heart: Thank-you Essie Weingarten.

You can check out Pink Parka and other Essie matte nail polish online here.