Aloha Ms. Hand

I mentioned the other day how the recession coupled with my status as a lowly-non-editor has put some kinks in my beauty routine, such as it is. I've been thinking about this more recently, as I've managed for the first time in many years to pull off a decent self-mani/pedi (okay, with help -- but of the non-professional variety only).

Anyway, I'd bought a couple pairs of the Havaianas Slim flip-flops at a deep discount from Nordstrom Rack (especially considering they were the current season!), and even though I generally have a closed-toe-only policy at school, a) it's San Diego so I'm the only one following that rule and b) we were having one of those weeks where suddenly it's above 80 degrees for several days running. Long story short, I decided I needed to get my Barney Rubble feet (though they're the right shape, they're too small to be Fred Flintstone feet) into shape with a pedicure. Unfortunately, I had no nail polish around -- okay, except for some maybe 5-or-6-year-old Essie where the polish had completely separated into a colorful sludge topped by some sketchy, yellow oil. Yes, that's high-end polish, but let's face it, makeup isn't meant to last a decade (no matter what I tell myself!).

With a budget of no-more-than-$2-a-pop (pretty much my limit on a lot of things) I randomly hit the jackpot with N.Y.C./New York Color quick-dry polish (aka "In a New York Color Minute Polish"). It was on sale for even less than $1.99, so in retrospect I should have bought more than one color, but what can I say, my expectations were low.

Turns out it does indeed dry really fast (though unfortunately in spite of having lived in Manhattan for years, the expression "New York minute" merely conjures images of the Olsen Twins' last movie for me -- no, I've never seen all of it, just um, parts). I bought "Times Square" in spite of it being one of my most-hated places in New York, since I wanted something fluorescent. It definitely looked more neon-red/pink in the bottle -- it came out more neon-coral/orange, which is fine with me. It also dried totally flat and non-bubbly, which I love, as this is usually the downfall of the quick-dry polish.

I can't say I totally agree with the color names -- for "East Village", I would have done maybe a dried blood color for the junkies in "Tompkins Square Park" (or at least, in their memory). They should also add a shiny black and name it "St. Mark's Place". And NYU purple (or violet, whatever) and name it "Washington Square Park"! "Little Italy" shoulda been red -- duh, marinara sauce -- but maybe it's white in honor of duh, alfredo sauce. "Downtown" should be something crazy, like maybe a neon peat green kind of color, though I also want to call that color "Riverside Park" (especially in spring). And where's the color for Harlem? I could go on and on.

But I'll spare you, and just say two coats' "Times Square" plus one coat of e.l.f."Clear" (bought ages ago at Big Lots and used as a crafty shellac on various small items) = I'm so pleased.

P.S.: I recently finally read the book version of Fast Times at Ridgemont High -- so much to say about that I have to save it for another post!