What They Say: "L'Oreal Manicure Pro is a salon quality nail enamel with a special brush that delivers flawless results. Formaldehyde-free. Toluene-Free."

Melissa's Hotpoints:

• The square brush they emphasize on displays and packaging doesn't seem to do much except create little lines in your polish if you don't apply just the right amount of pressure.
  
• The formula is very thick, and starts to get sticky right away. This can be a problem when you have to brush over a spot again before moving on.
  
• Concentrated color gives quick coverage results.
  
• Durability is impressive.
  
• The shine isn't dazzling, but doesn't disappoint.
  
• You can find an easier-to-apply polish, but the price and results here might be more appealing to you than some other options.

Retail Price: $4.99 (at drugstores and superstores everywhere, and online at ulta.com)

DeLush Rating:

Okay, we all know about the hot shades that are in all of the magazines and on the tips of celebrity fingers...but we want to know what YOU'RE wearing. So tell us, what nail polish and shade are gracing your nails RIGHT NOW? Do you have something different on your fingers and toes? Tell us about both of them!

(And no, you shouldn't feel bad if you don't know without having to go home to look!)

(Alissa)
Polish Used: Living Nightmare Black Nail Polish

(Jamie)
Polish Used: Cover Girl “Boundless Color” in Midnight Magic (#610)

(Toya)
Polish Used: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lycra Wear in Black Satin

(Jen)
Polish Used: CHANEL Black Satin (color available in department stores)

(Melissa)
Polish Used: Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear in Black Out

As the leaves are changing, the nail polishes that line the shelves change color, too; deeper reds and plums fill in the spots where the corals and pinks of spring and summer used to reside. I find these deep colors to be absolutely irresistible, and while I am changing out my closets, I like to change my polish wardrobe as well.

I read in a magazine at the start of fall that the new trend was to wear these deep, dark colors on your fingernails and leave the sheer nudes to your toes. I've done just the reverse for many years, but this idea makes a lot of sense. Unless you're living somewhere very warm, your toes aren't seeing much daylight these days. You might as well paint them a nice, neutral shade that looks clean and manicured but that is really easy to maintain. The darker shades will show chips more easily, and who really wants to spend a lot of time thinking about their pedicure when it's basically hidden most of the time?

I chose Revlon's Colorstay Always On Nail Enamel (Walgreen's, $5.99) for my toes in Stay Neutral. I liked that the shade of pink was very close to my skin color, and I also liked that it has subtle sparkles in it to give it depth. I've used this on my toes twice now, and while I do really like the color, I am not in love with the enamel.

It dries really quickly, which may be a blessing for those who have skills with the nail polish. I, on the other hand, need a few seconds to work out the kinks in my application. With this polish, by the time you've moved on to the next nail, the previous one is half dry. Any attempts at fixing something will lead to obvious clumps and bumps that can't easily be ironed out. At the same time, it doesn't dry fully for quite some time, definitely greater than 20 minutes. You'll regret touching them even lightly at this point.

It does last for a long time, definitely longer than the 5 days promised on the bottle. The polish loses its shine quickly, so you'll want to reapply the supplied top coat regularly. Since their supplied top coat isn't as shiny as I would like, I recommend using Sally Hansen's Mega Shine Topcoat to refresh.

As disappointed as I am with Revlon's new nail enamel, I am absolutely in love with Rimmel's Lasting Finish Lycra Wear Nail Polish (Walgreen's, $2.99). The color I chose, Celebrity Bash, looks nearly black in the bottle, but goes on as a deep blood red.

I generally have a difficult time getting my nails to look as good as they do at the nail salon. Part of it is pure impatience, another large part is a general absence of hand/eye coordination. If you're like me, this polish is for you. It goes on so smoothly. It doesn't drip or clump when you're applying it. Even before I applied my top coat, the color had depth and was super shiny. This is one drugstore nailpolish that really rivals OPI for the great color and quality, all at a very reasonable price.

Other fall manicure tips:

With a color this dark, you've really got to trim your nails down so that the tip barely extends beyond the end of the finger. If you've got longer nail beds like I do, you might have to leave a little more length.

In order to prepare your nails, you'll need to do a little more now that you have in the summer months. When you're applying moisturizer to your hands at night, apply some to your fingernails and cuticles. It will keep your cuticles healthy in the cooler air, and keep your fingernails from splitting as well. Solar Oil is another great way to moisturize your cuticles and nails.

In the cooler and drier weather, it's also vital to use a base coat when you're applying a dark color to your nails. If your nails are parched, they will drink in the color and leave your nails looking yellow when the polish is removed. If possible, give your nails a couple of days of rest every 7-10 days so that the pigments from the nail polish have less time to do damage to your nails.

Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish:

That's right. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the creamy pastels and bright hues of summer, but around this time of year I just can't wait to put rich colors on my nails. Deep burgundys, ripe reds, pretty purples, burnished browns...agh, enough with the alliteration! Here are some of my favorites and some picks for great fall nail color:

Revlon Nail Enamel in Blackberry. You don't know how many times I've picked this up at the store thinking "wow, this is a really pretty color!" and then have come home to realize I already have two from other such revelations at the drugstore.


Lippmann Collection Nail Color in No More Drama
(sephora.com)


Essie #522, Sole Mate
(at salons and other select retailers)




Maybelline Express Finish Fast-Dry Nail Enamel in Raisin Run
(at drugstores everywhere)


OPI Nail Lacquer in Romeo & Joliet (and yes, you read that right, it's "Joliet"!)
(at salons and other select retailers - click here to find out where to buy OPI in your area)




Bourjois Paris Very Vernis Nail Enamel in Lacque Brune
(sephora.com)


Givenchy Vernis in Rouge Interdit
(at select retailers - go to givenchy.com to find locations near you)