Nail Files - Week 14

This is 4 days late, but I still wanted to do this.  So here is last week's installment of

Linking up with Tara over at Fabulous but Evil.

Those of you who know me know my struggle with keeping a mani longer than 24 hours.  That's why I don't pay for them (unless it's gel polish).  It's also why I don't usually have color on.  But last week I decided to try something new...actually using a bottom AND a top coat (usually only did a bottom to keep my nails from getting stained).  Well, here are the results from a pain job I did on Monday the 2nd:

Essie "Grow Stronger" for my base
Sinful Colors: Mint Apple is the bottom color (1 coat)
OPI:  Sea You Later, Sailor is a shimmer top color (1 coat)
Essie "No Chips Ahead" for my top coat

This is what they looked like on Thursday afternoon!

Just one chip where I broke the nail hauling luggage.  I was very excited about how long it lasted.  And it was a great color for spring.  Maybe not so much as a professional color, though.

Thursday I tried the process again, but with Essie "Devi's Advocate" for the color (2 coats):

This is what they looked like an hour ago!

I hate to admit defeat, but all of you preaching bottom & top coats were right!  The color lasts longer with both, even if it takes a little longer to dry.  It's all worth it in the end.

So I'm in process of changing out my color again...I got my Julep Maven box in the mail yesterday with two new colors:  Charlotte (which is what I'll be posting on Friday) and Jennifer.

Until Friday...