Nail polish is a great stocking stuffer for the girls on your list who like obsessing about their nails. But how do you choose from a sea of bottles?
Here are our top picks. These recent releases would make great gifts for lacquer lovers and a fine reward for you, tireless Christmas shopper.
If she’s a Chanel collector
There are two new shades to choose from—Beige, first unveiled on Chanel’s website as a surprise polish, and Malice, the brand’s sexy shade for holiday 2012. Malice is a deep red black with crazy shimmer that just makes it glow, while Beige is the color of that pretty nude Chanel handbag. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
If she loves Andy Warhol
Nars’ collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation resulted in a fabulous holiday collection that would make the artist proud.
The collection has a lot to offer nail polish lovers. There are five new shades in full-sized bottles—15 Minutes (lemon yellow); TV Party (vivid orange); New York Dolls (purple); Superstar (teal); and Back Room (black). And for girls who complain about never finishing an entire bottle of polish, you can always choose the Photo Booth Mini Polish Gift Set, which includes four mini bottles of Silver Factory, Chelsea Girls, Soup Can and Back Room. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
If she’s a glamour girl
The four shades from MAC’s Glamour Daze collection will give anyone’s wardrobe a dose of glam. Choose from Endless Night (pale gray pink with iridescent pearl); Girl Trouble (super glitter pink); In The Limelight (mid-tone creamy mint) and our favorite; Everything That Glitters (black with multi-dimensional glitter). Available at MAC Eastwood Mall, Glorietta 3, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall and Power Plant Mall.
If she’s vegan
Vegan and eco-conscious spa brand Sparitual’s Metal Collection Mini Lacquer Gift Set is a great pick. It includes four fab shades from the Holiday 2012 collection: Titanium, Silver, Copper and Bismuth. It also comes with a free jute clutch.
Another great pick is the Holiday Lacquer Duo, which includes Hot Blooded, a creamy red; and I Feel The Earth Move, a vampy Sparitual classic. And because it already comes in a pretty glittery gold box, there’s no need to wrap it. Available at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Mall and Cebu; Chimes Abreeza, Davao and Skin Doctors Treatment Shop in White Plains/St Ignatius Road, Katipunan Ave, QC.
If she’s still searching for the perfect red
Just like lipstick, there’s a perfect shade of red polish for everyone. And if your friend is still searching for hers, she may just find it in this gorgeous trio of reds from Laura Mercier. Choose from Moderne Red (bright red); Crimson (merlot red); and Noir Glace (brown red).
Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
If she’s a Bond Girl
Shades from OPI’s Skyfall Collection might be the perfect gift if she’s a fan of James Bond. Try Moonraker, a blue-tinged metallic silver, or On Her Majesty’s Service, a beautiful glittery pewter. Available at Digital Traincase. (www.digitaltraincase.com).
If her personality’s magnetic
Let her play with nail polish and magnets by giving her a fun Deborah Lippmann Magnet Appeal Magnetic Nail Lacquer Set. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
If she’s a fashion fiend
She would want to get her hands on Shu Shu Red, Karl Black and Royal Beige, the result of Karl Lagerfeld’s collaboration with the brand. Each bottle of polish comes with adorable nail stickers featuring Mon Shu Girl, the muse and mascot of the collection. Available at Shu Uemura Trinoma, Shangri-La Mall, Power Plant Mall and Rustan’s Makati.
If she’s a frustrated nail artist
Does she love nail art but doesn’t have the skills to paint her own nails? Let her try nail tattoos from Louxurious Manila. All she’ll need are water, scissors, a nail file and a top coat and she’ll have museum-worthy nails. The best part? Each strip is just P60—or you can get three strips for P150. Available from Louxurious Manila (https://www.facebook.com/ LOUxuriousNails).
If she couldn’t stay still
If she messes up her mani because she couldn’t wait for it to dry, pick up a bottle of Seche Vite for her. This cult favorite is a super glossy top coat that dries really fast. She wouldn’t need to twiddle her thumbs anymore while waiting for her nails to dry. Available at Digital Traincase (www.digitaltraincase.com).
If she likes traveling the world
Misa’s Wanderlust Collection offers pretty shimmery shades that will rock anywhere she goes. Epiphany (pale yellow with gold shimmer); Taking Chances shimmery apricot); Frozen in Time (dusty lavender); Lost to the World (brown);Live Without Knowing (shimmery taupe); and Breakaway (shimmery plum) are available through Beauty Blends. (www.beautyblends.com.ph; tel. 3636736, 363-6739, 0922-8BEAUTY; e-mail inquiry@beautyblends.com.ph.
If she’s an avid reader
These shades from London-based brand a-england’s Gothic Beauties are inspired by literary characters. There’s Ophelia (glittery purple); Jayne Eyre (deep shimmering crimson); and Lady of Shallot (blackened sapphire). Available at Digital Traincase (www.digitaltraincase.com).
If she’s crazy about bling
Zoya’s Gilty Pleasures trio includes Purity (white), Raven (black) and a bottle of the limited-edition real 18k gold flake top coat that will give any manicure some serious bling. Available at Zoya Manila (tel. 6252759. )