Last Monday, I gotta admit — I was hardly in the mood for a manicure. On Saturday May 22nd, my husband and I got some awful news. A dear friend of ours had been killed in a motorcycle accident. This was the kind of friend who changed our lives – especially my husband’s life… He was a man so full of life, gone from this world far too soon. A very special person who touched the lives of many. And this brutal loss came mere days before our eighth wedding anniversary. Needless to say, we knew we’d be postponing any celebrations.
My husband hightailed it to Miami for the funeral. And seeing as I was spending our anniversary alone in Chicago, I had two choices. Either stay home all day and grieve, or force myself to go out and indulge in life’s little pleasures in an effort to at least take my mind off the sadness for a few precious moments.
I decided to go for the latter. And I decided to check out a neighborhood spot I’d noticed in passing, Polish: A Nail Lounge. If you’re ever in the South Loop, make a point of checking them out! Polish is intimate and adorable. From the minute I walked in, the ambiance made me check my worries at the doorstep.
How’s that for color therapy?
I’d been fiending for yellow for a while now. I was initially inspired by my new bright yellow tote bag by Swarthy Daisy — LOVE it! So bright, so fun. I wanted two contrasting yellows, just like that.
Ever since I laid eyes on OPI’s The It Color
I really had my heart set on a rich, opaque yellow and neither polish truly lived up to my expectation – I wanted something that would at least hide my nail line. Didn’t really happen. Need Sunglasses is a warm, mustardy color with a little shimmer and shine – I used it on my thumb and fourth finger. The rest are painted with Banana Bandanna, which is more of a true, creamy sunshine yellow that applies a little thinner and shows my nail line a little more than I hoped it would.
My manicurist managed to apply both polishes beautifully, sans streaking (which many reviewers have complained about online). If you go to Polish, I HIGHLY recommend you ask for Zoe. She is professional, friendly, and did I mention professional? Next time I go to Polish, it’s Zoe ALL the way!
Sitting in the nail salon while having my fingers and toes attended to got me thinking about beauty as therapy. Getting a mani pedi or going to a spa can be as superficial as you want it to be…but it can also be a contemplative time, an opportunity to enjoy your own company and think your own thoughts. So often in the hustle and bustle of our lives, we hardly get a moment to do that. I honestly enjoy the time that it takes for my nails to dry – I can’t read a magazine or use my phone without running the risk of smudging the manicure, so it forces me to just sit and be still. That time felt amazingly theraputic at a time when I needed a little therapy. The bright yellow of my nails cheered me up when I needed a little happiness. That’s all you can ask for from a manicure, right?
I know my obsession with yellow isn’t anywhere near over yet. The color has a positive effect on me, makes me smile, and looks great on brown skin. What’s not to love?
What do you think, would you go for yellow nails?
Looks great!
i looooveee yellow! probably because my grandfather loves a black woman in yellow {ie, me 🙂 }
i have yet to find a yellow polish that “pops” on my caramel skin though .. maybe i’ll try one of these!
I am so sorry to hear about your loss and that you found some comfort by getting your nails done. Your mani is beautiful Yes yellow is hot on brown skin. I have several yellow polishes in my stash. Please check out my nail blog.
nailsbeautiqued.blogspot.com
My condolences to you and your husband. And I also understand the need to grasp some moments of time away from the immediate pain, contemplative time and “me” time.
Yellow is a Mercury color associated with high and effective mental energy, with clarity and clear communication.
All the best,
Eva Yaa Asantewaa
New York City
I love it! I’ve been looking for more yellow-y nail polishes. The last one I tried was too sheer that one looks just right.
I’m so sorry for your loss, but glad you found a way to cheer yourself up. I love yellow nail polish as well. OPI Need Sunglasses was the color that started my nail polish addiction. The formula really is terrible, but I keep it for sentimental reasons. China Glaze Solar Power is my fave yellow so far since it’s opaque and not streaky.
sorry to hear about your friend, you and your husband have my condolences.
the nail polish looks great and makes me want to break out the bottle of yellow polish that ive got!
I have O.P.I’s It Color and the consitency is not good at all. It’s gorgeous in the bottle but it’s very streaky. You need to apply about three to four coats.
Mustard yellow is super-haute! Love, love the orange brown hues that it schemes. Although its mostly associated with the fall of the year, I can dig electric yellow and pastel soft yellows in the meantime.
My condolences.
And my toes are yellow right now. LOL
so very sorry for your loss 🙁 That is always tough to endure, especially around special days….oh I’m so sorry
As I’ve used color in healing, magick and psychic work, I also want to add that yellow is energetically and psychologically a cheering color because it’s a fast-energy color and revs you up. Those colors (red, hot pink, yellow, orange) should be used sparingly, though, since they can also speed one’s system up too much and make you jittery. They’re best for temporary mental boosts, a caffeine-like jolt.
My condolences to you and your husband.
I like the yellow nails. Colours have a great healing power in them….
I love yellow as you know! When I feel down or the weather here is very dismal I wear brighter colours. On my finger nails I have worn yellow once – more on my toes i guess.
Unfortunately for me yellow is NOT a good color. But I do love it and your polish was super cute.
I am so sorry aboout your loss.
A mani/pedi is one of the best and less expensive ways to temporarily help cheer oneself up – I am planning on going for one today – I am feeling a little down today myself.Your yellow manicure looks great – on me not so good.I think yellow nails on a 55-year old would look like I am trying just a little too hard- lol.
My daughter wears yellow polish on her toes a lot and it looks very nice
I like the yellow. Maybe I could try it too. Sorry for the loss of your friend and that you had to spend your anniversary alone. When is your anniversary? My husband and I have been married for 8 years also and our anniversary is today.
Maybe it’s color therapy? So sorry to hear of your loss.
First my condolences on the tragic passing of your family’s friend. And a Happy Anniversary to you and the hubby!
I so approve and love yellow anything – the brighter the better. Maybe not head to toe 🙂 but as you say yellows do brown girls justice and it just pairs so well with other colors I love – purple, orange brown etc.
I’m glad you opted to give yourself a bit of specialness even with the different goings on.
I kind of like it. I think I could rock a nice bright yellow.
So yes, OPIs “The IT color” brightens my day and working retail, it brightens the days of my customers as well! Next color is OPI’s “Who the Shrek are you?” Bella, it’s adorable!
Im still looking for the perfect sunshiney- lemony yellow. I dont want mustard , I want sunshine / lemon colored nail polish. I have one by sally hansen , its decent i guess
i just used opi 18k ginza gold this weekend. it’s another phenomenal yellow that looks fab on black girls!
sorry for your loss…i have to say im a really fair white girl…and yellow always looks odd on my fingers, but i found an AWESOME yellow from sally hansen insta-dry just got it at Target…go get it …it will be the yellow you always wanted! take care!
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