Ten weeks. I’ve been salivating over the thought of the Becca Halcyon Days Nail Colours ($15 each) for roughly ten weeks.
From those first PR pics back in March — the warm, summery pink, peach and coral — I couldn’t wait to get these on my claws, and I’ve been drooling like Pavlov’s dog ever since.
As far as I know, this is Becca’s first foray into nails, but it seems like everything the boutique-y Aussie brand does is pretty much on like Donkey Kong, and, in this case, fast!
Manis and pedis with the three creamy shades take almost no time (well, very little) because the polishes apply and dry wicked fast. Not as fast as it takes to get my attention with shirtless pictures of Channing Tatum, but still. Fast. 🙂
The brush is one of the reasons for the speed. It’s wide and covers a large portion of the nail, so it only takes two swipes to thoroughly coat the nail in color; on top of that, each coat dries in a little over two minutes.
The little touches take these up a notch for me. One of them, the square shape and rubbery matte texture of the brush handle, makes the bottles super easy to open. My mom would probably kill me if she know how many times I opened smooth nail polish bottles with my teeth. “Do you know how much I paid for that smile?” she’d surely rail. “Braces aren’t cheap, young lady!” Well, it looks like I won’t ever have to go there with these.
From left to right: Dancing Barefoot, Summerdaze and Tangerine Dream
Swatches from left to right: Dancing Barefoot, Summerdaze and Tangerine Dream
What can you tell me about the way they feel?
The polishes themselves are thick (like Essie polishes), so you do have to be cool about wiping excess polish from the brush. They’re also apt to minor streaking, but the severity varies among the shades. It’s not too bad with any of them, but the lightest color, Dancing Barefoot, seems to be the one that streaks the most. Even after three coats, the color looks a little uneven.
Three coasts with the middle and darker shades, Summerdaze and Tangerine Dream, yield almost imperceptible streaks, and I really have to stare at my nails to see them at all. That said, it might bug hard-core polish paramours striving for perfection.
I only put these on a few hours ago, so I can’t gauge their durability, but for now I give them a tentative “go.” I can forgive the minimal streaking because I love the way these warm colors look against my skin.
I’ll update you in a few days to let you know how they hold up. Gotta run them through their paces, you know — typing, dishes and opening a few cans of gravy for Edward Scissorpaws. 🙂
PRICE: $15 each
AVAILABILITY: Available at Becca counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Can I ask you a question?
How old is too old to be shopping in the juniors department? I ask because I’ve been finding a LOT of great deals lately in the Juniors sale section of the Nordstrom website.
Like these 3/4 sleeve cardigans for just $12…
Right?!
I love a good bargain, but I don’t want to be the granny in a miniskirt, ya know?
Seriously, how old is too old to shop in the juniors section?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I shop at Delia’s and Claire’s, a deal is a deal no matter where you find it 😛
Also, I wore nail polish regularly until I took a metalsmithing class and that messed up my pretty nails for about 3 months ;_;
That’s cool. What did you make in your metalsmithing class?
I don’t think you are ever too old, unless you feel like you are. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it, don’t. But those cardigans don’t scream teenage girl to me. I think they would work on anyone. Plus, if you’re a granny and you look good in a mini skirt, all the power to ya! Who cares if people who don’t know you judge you! You aren’t trying to please them anyway.
Thanks Jessi. 🙂
Age at which one is too old to shop in the children’s department: NEVER!!! Just as long as it’s not one of the aforementioned miniskirts 😛
& re: the packaging – preachin’ to the choir, girl! I love a square polish bottle – they always just seem so much easier to open. Not to mention, they usually store more easily, as well!
Yeah, I think they’re easier to hold too!
I’m not sure age matters so much any more. If it fits then go for it!! Although smarmy worded t-shirts and words on the butt of your sweatpants-skip those! Love the polish!
LOL… yeah. I think those are both good rules to follow!
LOOOVE the polish colours, I wonder where I can get these in Toronto…
As long as the clothes fit/look good on you, I say shopping-in-any-section goes =)
I hope you can find them in your city!
Love summerdaze! It reminds me of Ever Hip, which I missed out on… again.
As for clothes— as long as it fits, why not? No-one has to know, although I suppose all of us are in on your secret now =P.
LOL, I do have to say — they have some great deals in juniors. 🙂
oh mah goodness. those colors are all GORGEOUS.
As far as “too old” for the junior’s section… I think it all depends on the piece of clothing. Something like a cardigan? I say GO for it! It’s mostly the super low-cut shirts that beg for attention that an older gal shouldn’t go for, IMHO. Maybe the mini skirts, too 🙂
Thanks for the excellent advice, Shannon. 🙂
I love that middle shade. So gorgeous. I honestly think its cool to shop in the juniors section as long as the clothes are age appropriate.
That middle color seems to be a crowd fave! I think I just found my next pedi shade!
agree. best of the three for sure
The colors are so pretty! They remind me of ripe summer fruit, or something along those lines 😀
I don’t think those cardigans look too young at all. It really depends on the specific item, I think lots of teen stores can have all-age-appropriate pieces. If you like it, go for it!
Thanks, girlie!
Summerdaze is beautiful!
And those cardigans are very pretty too, I think they would look good on anyone. As long as the clothes are appropriate and fit, it doesn’t matter where you buy them from. 🙂
Great advice, Gio.
Love those polishes! Great summer colors!
And I don’t think anyone is ever too old to shop in the Juniors dept. If it fits, then go for it! I’m petite and when I was in high school I’ve even bought pieces in the children’s dept as long as they didn’t look too childish!.. hehe
Glad you like the shades, Aida.
I’ve never heard the phrase ‘quick like Mario Kart’ before. =O
*gasp* I WANT! i looove these shades! time to look for a location that stocks becca in vancouver…
Hope you can find ’em, Dani!
Cardigans are timeless even if they’re in that silly Junior’s section at Nordstroms! Get them!
LOL, Lily. 🙂
I often have to get things in the kids section- mostly things like gloves. I say that you’re never to old to shop in the junior department, as long as the item does not feature Dora the Explorer or similar 🙂
The polishes look amazing against your lovely tanned skin. Love Becca
LOVE Becca too, Jen!
dancing barefoot is the cutest name for a nailpolish! It just screams to be put on your toes! As far as the jrs dept. is concerned, those sweaters dont look like juniors so I say as long as you can fit,why not?
Dancing Barefoot would be a totally cute pedi color!
Never ever too old if its for casuals. After all, its cheaper isn’t it? At $12 I wouldn’t hesitate 😛
🙂 Thanks Paris! I think I might get the pink sweater.
You can shop in the juniors department as long as you want! It’s all about wearing things that look good on your figure, and if that’s where you can find them so be it!
Thanks Jenny. 🙂 Do you ever shop in the juniors section?
Dear Karen,
You can wrap rubber bands around the brush handle of ANY nail polish to open them with literally no effort at all.
Love.
Thanks!
These colors are beautiful. I’m not often wowed by polish colors (or pinks, tangerines, peaches, etc) but these 3 are stunning. They also look so great together that it makes me want to use them all at the same time, one color per toe style. 🙂
I’m with the rest of the ladies that say shopping the Jrs is fine. I think there are a lot of unflattering and inappropriate-for-me options in the women’s section, too. If it fits and you’re comfortable wearing it, totally go for it. Of course, this is coming from someone who used to buy Levi’s 501 button-fly jeans in the boys’ dept in Jr. High. 🙂
Oh, and not to be a book pusher but I wanted to tell you that I picked up the first 4 Song of Ice and Fire paperbacks as a set on Amazon last month and they were cheap and decent quality. They won’t be cherished heirlooms or anything but, you can’t beat the price! If you want to check out the set, it’s here:
http://www.amazon.com/George-Martins-Thrones-4-Book-Boxed/dp/0345529057/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305806075&sr=1-1
Oh, how fun would that be? I have to remember to do that multi-colored pedi this summer.
And that’s too funny — I actually used to buy/wear boys button fly jeans in the early ’90s because I could never find women’s jeans that fit right. I loved Levi’s boy’s button fly because they sit low on the waist (I’m short waisted). Ahh, memories! 🙂
And thanks for the link to the set. 🙂 Yay for summer reading!!
If you decide to pick them up, let me know what you think. One of my friends is on the 3rd book and every email begins with “OK, what’s everyone up to?” so I know what we can discuss without spoilers! 🙂
Oh, gosh, I hear you. What I wouldn’t give to have my boyish figure back! HAHA! At least the rainbow toenails will be easy!
there are still stuff i get from the juniors section — usually pants and skirts/shorts, even some dresses.
its more of a length issue for me, really. even petite lengths are kinda long.
those cardigans — love! buy em!
And they’re only $12 each, eek!
buyyy eeemmm! 😀
LOL, they’re in the cart. If they’re still there at lunch then it is meant to be!
Nordstrom’s juniors department has pretty great basics. I’d say shop there as long as you want!
Thanks for the reassurance, Lisa. 🙂 Gotta love that you can find great bargains there!
Hey, as long as the clothes fit, who cares what department they came from! Who is gonna know? Those cardis are hella cute. I love the purple one….Huzzah!
I like the 3/4 sleeves — they’re long enough to keep you warm in an airconditioned room, yet short enough to show off bracelets. 🙂
The polishes look great on you! LOL! I just bought a fab cardigan from the Nordstrom Juniors department a few months ago for $15!! I’m 34 and it’s now one of my fav cardigans! Go for it! 🙂
I think it’s a lot of people’s favorite place to get deals sweaters because those suckers sell out fast! I saw a cute long-sleeve sweater yesterday on there with a ruffle hem and within a few hours it was gone. I guess it wasn’t meant to be, sigh.
Oh Summerdaze you will be mine!
I kindasorta love that one. It will look great on toes!
You’re never too old! As long as what you’re purchasing is age appropriate… Shoot, if they made big enough sizes, I would permanently shop at Gap Kids…
Pretty polish! And like everyone else said, if it fits and you’re comfortable in it, go for it!
Good morning, Karen! I am spotting a dupe of Tangerine Dream!!!!! I think. 🙂
It’s Nails Inc. nail polish called Candy Orange which comes with June issue of InStyle UK edition. I’ll email you a pic of my nail next to my computer screen of your photo.
Also, both shades of the cardigan are very pretty. my favorite colors.
pssttt…tell you a secret, some of my clothes are from GAP kids size aged 13-14 (or L/XL). 😉 Also some from junior section of Target! but of course, I don’t buy those kiddo designs, but tops, sweaters an even some jackets. You see, I am only 5 feet tall and I am sure many American teenagers are already taller than I am.
I LOVE these polishes! Where do you get this brand? I’ve never heard of it 🙂
i think it all depends what you buy from the juniors department. those cardis are cute!
12$ cardigans! that can’t be beat!
never too old if the clothing is appropriate 🙂
Well, I shop in juniors and I’m 11. My mom shops juniors and she’s 41. If you love it, go for it!
As long as you know what’s age appropriate for you, go for the deals! I know gals who are almost 40 and shop at Forever21– but it’s all SO CUTE!! Just be aware to not be toooooo trendy.. I think that’s the major giveaway, haha.
These colors are so gorgeous! They actually don’t look so great in the bottles, but seeing the swatches makes me want to buy all 3!! Perfect for summer~
Oooh, I kind of want Summerdaze. They all look great on you!
As for the juniors department, I see nothing wrong with occasionally picking up a cute piece such as that sweater. I bought a maxi dress from the Dillard’s juniors department a couple weeks ago that I happened to stumble upon online when I searched for maxi dresses on shopstyle. As long as you’re not purchasing something that’s obviously “junior,” go for it!
i thought i was the only one who opens the nail polish bottles with my teeth lol. the colors are gorgeous!!! i’ve been loving corals too lately. i don’t think we have those brands here in saudi tho. 🙁
Listen.. I’m 5’1 and a lot of the clothes in the juniors sections is too cute to be in the womens but to old to really be in the juniors!!! AS long as it’s tasteful and doesn’t look like something a middle school girl would wear…. ITS allllllll good in the Jr. hood baby!! Now if you have a daughter and you buy the same shirt and she is a tween… then HOUSTON WE have a problem lol!!! As long as you don’t come off at Amy Pholers character in mean girls lol “I’m a cool mom” I’m not ready to wear Sage Harbor and Kasper. LIKE Anthropologie is a good example of a store anyone can shop at! LOOOVE that store! Hey forever 21 you know what i’m saying 🙂