It’s time to say goodbye.

Gosh, I don’t mean for that to sound as dramatic as it does! It’s just that between work, my other blog, and trying to actually have a life (what? life? away from a computer? what’s that?) it all just got too much and something had to give. Sorry little blog, you were like a tray of chocolates after a big degustation…great in theory, but just not enough room for you.

If you’re a nail polish fan though (and I hope you are…it’s fun to be a nail polish fan) then please keep in touch via The Nail File Facebook page. We’re a fun little family of nail polish people and I still post there pretty regularly with my #manicuremonday pics, new polishes, news and inspiration.

I’ll also be winding down The Nail File Shop over the coming months and selling off all my stock, so please keep an eye on the Facebook page for deals and steals. This stock sell off will also include some of my personal collection and store samples going cheap, and we all love a bargain.

I’m leaving the blog here for at least another couple of years (just paid hosting renewal…) so you can always refer back to it if you need something. Not sure what, but y’know. I guess if you need a swatch comparison, it’s handy to have. Plus I don’t intend to close the door completely. One day life might balance out a little better and we can pick up where we left off. I really hope that day comes soon!

Finally, as I wipe the tears from my eyes, I just want to say thank you. This blog has brought me so much joy, and the support and comments from you guys always made it worthwhile for me. Blogging, no matter the subject, is always a very personal endeavour, and knowing I had you all reading and encouraging me definitely helped when my cuticles were screaming at me and I was high on acetone fumes.

With much love and gratitude,

Elise xx

…’cos if you do, I’m running a quick flash sale on The Nail File Shop until midday on Thursday.

I have mini Christmas sets that include Eyeko Saucy (the perfect Christmas red), Nicole by OPI texture in silver or gold, and a mini OPI RapiDry Top Coat. All that for only $19.95!

I have also reduced the Nicole by OPI Justin Bieber Mini Hit-Makers set to only $15 until Thursday lunch. Perfect stocking stuffers!

For those who are patiently waiting on the Kardashian Kolours, they still haven’t landed but I’m hoping to get the call today or tomorrow. Keep an eye on Twitter or Facebook for updates.

/end advertorial

PS – I’m still wearing the OPI GelColor and it’s as shiny and gorgeous as ever, although starting to grow out now. Proper update coming soon!

Let’s go over the important stuff in point form so I don’t forget anything:

• While most hardening polishes (Shellac, Orly GelFX etc) are a combination of gel and polish, OPI GelColor is 100% gel
• Each layer cures in just 30 seconds – this means your right hand is dry before your left hand has even been painted. If you do the math, that’s 4 minutes curing time for an entire mani
• There are 30 shades to choose from, all of which are OPI classics – Big Apple Red, I’m Not Really A Waitress, Lincoln Park After Dark, Russian Navy, You Don’t Know Jacques, Miami Beet, Samoan Sand, Alpine Snow, and Bubble Bath, just to name a few
• Fun fact: the polish is in the iconic OPI bottle but the glass is black to stop it being activated (i.e. set) by light
• The light used is an LED light. When I was having my mani done, there was the strangest sensation in my finger tips for the first 3 seconds, and then it was fine. Perhaps my fingers were just excited
• According to OPI’s Education Director, Karon McKendrick-Taylor, you can do nail art with GelColor – you will need three coats of colour, but you can pop nail tattoos or diamantes on and then seal with the GelColor top coat. Win
• If you treat it well, GelColor can last up to four weeks (although, honestly, who wants to wear the same colour for four weeks), and even longer on toes – expect to get about two weeks though
• OPI also do Expert Touch Remover Pads, so you can take your GelColor off at home without having to go into the salon

I picked my Scandal polishes up a few months back at the Sydney International Spa and Beauty Expo – they had a huge stand with walls and walls of colours, all with the black, silver or gold corset tops. The range is huge – cremes, metallic, glitter, and decorative (with floating chunks like stars and hearts). I was drawn to Bling Orange because it’s a creamy melon colour – not quite coral, not quite sherbet. Definitely not orange though, and certainly not blingy, so the name is perhaps a little off the mark.

Two coats gave great coverage and the polish looked nice, but it was the weirdest thing – the polish literally rubbed off. No chipping or cracking (although it takes a while to really dry, as evidenced by the ding in my middle finger, below) , but it rubbed away all around the edges. I painted in the afternoon and by the next morning it was like someone had taken the eraser from the end of my pencil and just rubbed the colour out. Very weird.

Scandal – Bling Orange

Price: I paid $2 at the Spa and Beauty Expo but they retail for around $6
From: You’ll have to go exploring!
Three free? Based on the label on the bottle, I think it is, but I can’t be certain

This polish purchased by The Nail File for review – for more details, please see our disclosure policy

- is MAC’s Christmas 2011 collection, with 34 pieces including Paint Pots, Mineralize Eye Shadows, Lipsticks, Dazzleglasses, Beauty Powders, Technakohl Eye Liners (LOVE the silver) and, of course,  Nail Lacquers. This is pretty big collection.

- is on counters already, and some pieces have sold out already (including some of the lacquers being sold out online!)

- is a little bit different from the usual MAC look because the packaging is WHITE instead of black. Very clean and minimalist. Tres chic.

- has three polishes; two cremes and a glitter. Get Noticed! is a gorgeous bold red creme that has a slight undertone of pink (that would be because it’s blue-based).

LOADS more pictures after the jump…

Two coats gave good, even coverage, although you could probably go three coats for an even bolder look. It’s a gorgeous red, but nothing we haven’t seen before.

Festive Finery is a medium grey-ish violet creme. I would normally have said this colour isn’t appropriate for this time of year in Australia because it’s quite a winter shade and we’re in the second week of summer, but the forecast is for rain and low 20s all week so it’s actually quite apt (and what I will be wearing all week).

It’s quite a thin formula, so even two coats is a bit patchy. Definitely paint carefully and patiently.

Unconditionally Fabulous is my favourite of the bunch, and probably in my top 10 polishes for the year. It’s a clear jelly with chunky pastel rainbow holographic glitter.

For a glitter, one coat gives excellent coverage and two is amazing. If you only buy one thing from this collection, I heartily endorse this polish. Perfect for the Christmas season (wear over white for an elegant Christmas party mani, or over red or green for fun!)

The details – MAC Glitter and Ice – Get Noticed!, Festive Finery and Unconditionally Fabulous

Price: $23
From: MAC counters and MAC online
Three free? Four free! Along with the big three, there is no formaldehyde resin in these bad boys. High five, MAC!

These products were provided to The Nail File for review – for more details, see our disclosure policy

Taken in artificial light

There are about 12 colours in the range and all the bottles have a cool fishnet-style texture on the lid. I tried out Eva Pink and was impressed – it’s a rich fuschia pink.

Taken in artificial light

Two coats gave me great colour, but the formula was a little watery. It rubbed and chipped a bit after two days, but could possibly be saved with hardcore topcoat diligence.

How cute is the bottle?!

Hello Kitty – Eva Pink
Price: $9.95
From: Some Priceline stores – check here for stockists
Three free? Pretty sure they are three free according to the ingredients list on the label

This polish was offered to The Nail File for consideration – for more details, please see our disclosure policy

Here’s a quick run down of the must haves…

More after the cut…

My number one pick this Chrissy – The Best of the Best – a box set of  10 mini lacquers ranging from Big Apple Red to Lincoln Park After Dark, from Bubble Bath to Cajun Shrimp – all the classics that every woman must have in her nail polish wardrobe.
Buy for: Mum, sister, cousin, favourite boss, sister-in-law, mother-in-law…this is a fail-safe.
Price: $39.95

Glamour Toes – a little pedicure pack featuring 2 Muppet Collection polishes (glitter and metallic shades) plus glittery toe separators. There are three different sets: Animal-istic & Getting Miss Piggy With It!; Rainbow Connection & Excuse Moi!; and Pepe’s Purple Passion & Divine Swine.
Buy for: Little sister, cousins, that crazy party friends who loves a bit of sparkle
Price: $29.95

Muppettes - Muppettttttsssss! The mini set of the fab new glitter line that everyone is obsessed with. Includes Wocka Wocka!, Excuse Moi, Designer de Better and Warm & Fozzie.
Buy for: Sister, flatmate, friends – anyone who needs a little bit of sparkle in their lives
Price: $19.95

Dynamic Duo – a cute little combo with one of the metallic or glittery lacquers from The Muppets Collection (Meep-Meep-Meep; Designer de Better or Divine Swine) paired with a matching lip gloss. Hello, sparkle!
Buy for: Your girlfriends, sister, cousin, babysitter, colleagues, office secret santa.
Price: $24.95

Show of Hands – OPI’s award winner Avoplex High Intensity Hand and Nail Cream (which, fyi, is amazing) and Avoplex Cuticle oil (one of my all time favourite products).
Buy for: Mum, nan, aunties, mother-in-law, secret santa, keep one spare at home in case of gift giving emergency
Price: $29.95

So Mani Cute Tools – Everyone needs a good manicure set, and these are adorable. OPI did a similar manicure set last Christmas which I gave to quite a few people as gifts, and everyone loved them. The perfect travel set as well – it’s a 5 piece mini manicure kit with stainless steel manicure scissors, nail clippers, nail file, cuticle pusher and a 3-in-1 nail file.
Buy for: Mum, Nan, Sister, your sisters slightly effeminate boyfriend, cousin who is about to go backpacking
Price: $39.95

Tune Into Great Nails – this one cracks me up! It’s a duo set of lacquer (Princesses Rule & Bubble Bath) plus a pair of silver ear phone covers. Random, but fun.
Buy for: Sister, cousins, babysitter, secret santa
Price: $29.95 RRP

Fabulous Feet – pedicure socks! I love pedi socks. It isn’t really pedi sock season right now, but in 6 months time you’ll be somebody’s favourite person. These come with Nail Envy (nail strengthener) in either Original or Sensitive.
Buy for: Everyone. who can resist pedi socks!
Price: $34.50

Sweet Sensations – I’m obsessed with the OPI Avojuice moisturisers, so whoever pulled my name in the family secret santa, take note. This set of 6 mini 30ml moisturisers means you can stash one in your desk, one in your car, bedside table, handbag, and still have two for later.  And who can resist Mango, Coconut Melon, Cran&Berry, Jasmine, Vanilla Snowflake and Huckleberry.
For: Best secret santa gift ever, mum, nan, aunties, mother-in-law, cousins, flatmates, bosses – everyone loves cute moisturiser
Price: $14.95

Vanilla Snowflake Hand Lotion – a specifically Christmas vanilla moisturiser that’s guaranteed to keep you moist (teehee)

Huckleberry Hand Lotion – berrylicious moisturiser that’s perfect for keeping on your desk
Buy for: Office friends, flatmate, mum, nan
Price: $19.95

All products are available at David Jones

MAC Cosmetics has just officially announced the Daphne Guinness for MAC Collection, hitting shelves on January 2, 2012. There are three polishes in the collection and, when asked about her favourite pieces in the collection, Guinness says “I’m quite proud of the Hyperion Nail Lacquer. It resembles this almost grey, steely light that is pure Whistler from the 1890s when he still had fog in the paintings. The shade is so beautiful and it also reminds me of a celadon-coloured antique Chinese porcelain vase.” How could not want that on your nails?! There are three colours – Hyperion Light, a grey blue green (crème), Endless Night Pale, grey pink with iridescent pearl (frost), and Blueblood Deep, eggplant (crème). All polishes will be $22.

Chicago artist Dzine has produced Nailed, a 232-page hardcover book, that recounts the history of nail adornment and documents contemporary nail art around the world. A selection of commissioned photographers captured nail artists, clientele, and salon owners in their respective cities, culminating with images by Kai Regan of Dzine’s wearable sculptural nails. In Nailed, the artist delves into the more intimate realm of body decoration, celebrating the once underground, now burgeoning nail art movement. Nailed will be available exclusively through The Standard shops and shopthestandard.com from December 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012 and distributed internationally by D.A.P. thereafter (where I will promptly track one down and buy it for my coffee table). Will be $45US, no international price yet. To get a sneak peek of the book, click here.

The countdown is on over at Nicole by OPI for the Kardashian Kolours Kollection to hit shelves on December 1st. It looks like I will have at least half of the collection over on The Nail File Shop, although possibly not all 14. If you have any special requests, please let me know. They will make amazing Christmas gifts.

Speaking of Christmas, OPI have gone over-the-top with some amazing gift sets this Christmas. I’ll have a full round up on Monday for you, but you can pretty much stuff every stocking under the sun with polish this year.

One last piece of polish purchase news – the new Nicole by OPI Texture polishes have been added to The Nail File Shop this week – my favourite is the gold!

Taken in artificial light

In the bottle it looks like it has charcoal shimmer, albeit subtle, but on the nail it looks much more like leather. There are definite blue undertones there though, so maybe my initial ‘it could be navy’ isn’t far off.

Taken in artificial light

Two coats gave perfect coverage, but I will admit that the two middle fingers chipped slightly on the edges after 24 hours. I would blame the housework but, let’s be honest, we can’t.

Taken in artificial light - see the shimmer?

Do you wear black polish? I can wear pretty much every colour, but I just don’t like black. I wonder why that is.

The details – Nubar Dark Castle

Price: $13.20 for 15ml
From: Call Haircare Australia on 1300 437 436 for local stockists
Three free? Yep!

This polish was offered to The Nail File for consideration – for more details, please see our disclosure policy

Priti polishes are pretty.

I have been interested in this brand since I got my first bottle about a year ago. They’re a non-toxic 3-free range of nail polish, and while 3-free isn’t exactly a unique selling point these days, the fact they are organic does help them stand out on shelves.

Taken in sunlight

Taken in sunlight

I recently wore Empress Tree for about a week and was impressed at the endurance. Quite often ‘organic’ polishes don’t have the staying power of their chemical-packed counterparts, but Empress Tree lasted a solid week with only a few chips and dings.

The delicate lilac colour is very feminine and softly complimented whatever I was wearing without stealing any attention. While I normally love a bold nail, it was nice to wear something so girlie.

Taken in natural light

Price: $15.95
From: Check the Ganesha website for stockists
Three free? Three free, and also no camphor

This polish was offered to The Nail File for editorial consideration, in accordance with our disclosure policy