Gnarly nails? This is your "solution." As a beauty writer I've seen thousand's of products, so when I give one an A+, I am being very serious! This product has got it "nailed!"

Dear Ether,

As beauty aficionados, we are rarely able to write about products that we’ve been using for years.  It always has to be about the latest, greatest thing on the market.  Think of it like fashion.  You might have a Cavalli coat that you still get zillions of compliments on, but if it’s from 3 seasons ago, it ain’t showing up in “Vogue.”  Products are also put in magazines based on how they are packaged.  This is because they need to go with the look of the story.  Let’s say you’re featuring a Spring page.  Even if you’ve just heard about the most AMAZING new cream for your face, if it comes in a dowdy red and yellow bottle, forget about it—it’ll never make it in the line-up.  So, sans Editor and any guidelines, my beauty reviews will sometimes have products that I have been using for years that I think are so damned good!  People NEED to know about them and keep them on their tick-list as staple products for their beauty cupboards.  Again, like fashion.  You should always have an XYZ list, right?  Well, I’m going to start recommending things that have passed my desk and have remained in my beauty life for many years.  And trust me, I have seen THOUSANDS of products come and go.  I also will write a comprehensive review.  It might be long, but at least you’ll know what you’re buying.  I hate when you want to know about a product and there is a picture and 3 lines about it.

I would like to introduce you to a little friend of mine from the nail company O.P.I.   This is the greatest nail strengthener I have ever used.  What is the name of this masterpiece for manicures? “Original Nail Envy.”  It’s a maximum strength, clear varnish that takes the most hopeless nails and reforms them allowing you to hold your fingers high again when you walk into a nail salon.  It has hydrolyzed protein (acts as a film-former and skin conditioning agent; Derived from wheat as it also strengthens) and calcium. All you have to do is initially apply two coats of “Nail Envy” followed by one coat every other day.  If you are wearing colored varnish it’s great because it helps keep your polish stay on longer and adds a nice gloss.  I have always stuck to the “Original Nail Envy” because it is maximum strength (and we know I need it: read Oh So “Talon-ted”) but there are several other types.  They go as follows: “Soft and Thin Nail Envy,” “Sensitive and Peeling Nail Envy,” “Dry and Brittle Nail Envy,” “Maintenance Nail Envy” and “Matte Nail Envy.”  The “Original Nail Envy” is what I recommend for those who have the worst nails.  Even if you have any of the specific above, you need the original to get you going.  To me, the others are there to help you once you’ve gotten your nails repaired.  FYI: O.P.I. created the “Matte Nail Envy” not just because they wanted to give ladies a no-sheen look if they didn’t like a glossy finish, but they thought about men!  This is perfect for dudes with duds for nails.  It is the exact same formula as “Original Nail Envy” but with a matte finish.

A picture of the whole "Nail Envy" team. But I'm telling you, start with the "Original" if your talons are a mess. It will work miracles!

O.P.I is one of my favorite brands for nail care.  They’re always ahead of the game when it comes to color trends (remember the huge hit “Linkin Park After Dark”?) and their nail care is really comprehensive.  This has been starred as a favorite on QVC and has been a winner in the coveted “Best Beauty Buys” for  “In Style” magazine.  You know I have terrible nails.  However, when I wanted to whip them into shape, and this came across my desk, I went for it after reading about its stellar reviews.  After sticking to its easy regime, my nails were transformed.  You can buy it and bring it with you to your manicurist and have her use it as a top and bottom coat instead of her normal X-brand she pulls out.  It lasts a really long time and you’ll be hooked once you start seeing the pretty quick results.

So ladies and maybe gents, it is my pleasure to promote O.P.I. and their lovely product “Original Nail Envy.”  I’ve wanted to tout this baby for years and thank goodness for the freedom of blogging.  I really need to start writing more beauty.  God, do I love it!

Enjoy your new nails!

O.P.I. “Original Nail Envy” 15ml, $16, Any Beauty Supply, Fine Drugstore or Online

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

PS: For you ingredient focused folks here you go…….

Toluene, Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Formaldehyde, Camphor, Butyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Calcium Pantothenate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzophenone-1, CI 60725 (Violet 2), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide).