Wicked Alternative

I don't know if it is the same all over the country/world but, in NYC when the weather starts to cool down and all the stylin' ladies are heading to the salon for their weekly mani/pedi they turn to the quitessential Essie shade Wicked. At this juncture of extreme budget-ness, I can't really afford to be one of those people and I'm ok with that. But, I still really love that look and have found while trying to do my own nails that Essie isn't really the greatest polish; blasphemous maybe but, still true. And so began my search for an alternative product...

I really like Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure but, they just don't have the right color. You know; a maroon that is almost bordering on black in certain lighting situations but, is definitely still maroon. I have tried a few different things and have finally found a good quality product that is the perfect color. I wanted to share it with all of you just in case you have been on the hunt like me, you're search is over!

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus polish in Wholesome Earth is the closest thing that I have found to Wicked so far and I am loving the color. The polish is good quality, no serious chipping (impressive since I have a very keyboard keavy job) or streaking. The only thing that took some getting used to was the brush. I prefer something thicker but, once you get the hang of it that's not an issue at all. Unfortunatley while looking for a place to buy it online I learned that it has been discontinued! Bummer, I am fighting the urge to head back to Target and buy every bottle... I guess my search isn't really over.

Lots of bloggers have great advice for easy do-it-yourself manicures. My biggest piece of advice on that front is, practice makes perfect! Also, use good products. I'm not saying you have to go out there and buy extremely expensive things, just stuff that does a good job. I am loving Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1; it is my basecoat, my topcoat, or just a clear polish on my in between days. I am on my second bottle guys, no joke, it's good stuff! Another thing that you can find at salons in the city is super quick dry drops because not all of them are set up with dryers. This is another product I recommend if you're like me and have the patience of a two year old. I have been searching for a good one for at least a year and was lucky enough to find some at the local drugstore, Revlon Liquid Quick Dry will save me from many future smudges! It's not instantaneous drying but, within five minutes or so things can be back to normal.

Because blogging can be a business, I would just like to finish this post by saying that I did not recieve any compensation for anything I said about these products. I purchased everything on my own and am just sharing my humble opinion.