the (belated) weekend manicure | sugar dune

In a continuing theme of spring polishes in summer, this week I'm wearing the indescribable Tom Ford nail polish in Sugar Dune. Like Blue Orchid, this shade came out in this past spring collection, which is why its cap is white as opposed to Tom Ford's usual black.

As you might expect, this is by far the most expensive nail polish I currently and likely ever will own. For the price, I'd expect more from the formula: it takes three coats to reach opacity, and it doesn't always apply smoothly. The brush is decent but unremarkable—again, a pity in a $32 polish. OPI has better brushes for a quarter of the price.

Where this polish truly distinguishes itself, however, is in its shade. It's a pale, creamy pink-toned beige that has tied with Nails Inc. Gel Effect in Porchester Square as my favorite neutral nail polish. It goes with just about anything I wear—not that I'd let that stop me—and it lasts a respectable amount of time.

Will I ever purchase another polish this expensive? I think not.

Will I use this one up? Almost certainly.

the manicure | blue orchid

When it comes to nail polish, I have a weakness: pastels.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Ellen, it's the middle of July. How can you possibly think of pastels now?

The only logical response to that question is on my nails right now.

This past spring, Deborah Lippmann released the Spring Reveries collection, full of delicate shades perfect for the emerging blooms. I'm not typically one to buy expensive nail polish—Nails, Inc. is usually my limit—but I couldn't resist the elegant Blue Orchid.

It's a creamy pale blue without a hint of glimmer, and it's opaque in two coats. For the price, I was expecting more from the brush: it's quite skinny but still manages to pick up more lacquer than I need per stroke. Nevertheless, I think it's gorgeous, and I'm sure I'll use it up.

If you're interested in a similar but less expensive option and don't mind a bit of shimmer, check out Essie's Bikini So Teeny.