When the goin’ gets tough, the tough paint their nails! Okay, so maybe that’s not exactly how the saying goes, but you know what I mean. 🙂 And when a nail polish goes on with near perfect application, like the pretty polishes in the Sonia Kashuk Reach for the Stars Nail Trio ($10), well, ain’t nothin’ gonna break my stride.
The limited edition holiday set comes packed to the gills with glitter in three full-size bottles — a warm peachy gold (looks like a sunset!), a gunmetal gray and a magenta. Sonia filled all three with pounds of pigment and sparkle to spare.
Where’s the party at?! I ask because these festive shades hit all the right notes, but the formula’s what elevates these polishes from good to great. The smooth, thin texture goes on without any streaks (reminds me of OPI’s texture), and because they’re so pigmented, the color is easy to build up with layers. Last week I painted my toes with the gunmetal gray, and it was one of the fastest and easiest at-home pedicures I’ve given myself in ages. Just two coats produced a solid, opaque layer of color. Heck, I probably could have gotten away with one layer if I’d been in hurry.
So far after five days, my monkey paws (that’s what El Hub calls my feet, on account of how long my toes are) are still chip-free. Looking at least as good as most brands in terms of durability.
Did I mention the set’s a mere 10 bones? That’s a steal!
PRICE: $10 for three full-size 0.5-oz. bottles
AVAILABILITY: At Target stores and target.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
The Chai Latte Chronicles, Part II
My quest to find the best chai latte in the Marin County continues. I’ve covered acres of rigorous Northern California terrain, through high winds, heavy rains and crazed crowds of Christmas shoppers. My “research” has so far led to the following conclusions:
- My Favorite — The Nordstrom Espresso Bar. Their chai was so good that it brought me to tears. Spicy, but not too spicy, it was the most richly flavorful one so far, like cinnamon, spice and everything nice. If you could melt down a slice of pumpkin pie, it’s almost like that, and, if the store wasn’t so far from home, I’d get one every day, no kidding. My second favorite goes to the chai latte at Panera Bread, a Boudin’s-style soup and sandwich cafe. Almost as tasty as the one from Nordstrom, but perhaps a tad too sweet for me. I
- Least Favorite — I almost couldn’t finish the one from Whole Foods, which came as a big surprise because of how much I like the store. Weak, watery and — sorry Whole Foods — a little like dirt.
- The Middle of the Pack — I like the Starbucks and Peet’s chais, but neither one stands out as being particularly memorable. They will certainly do in a pinch.
The quest continues! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I picked up this set a good month ago and I have to say, a wise decision indeed. Sonia makes some great polishes (her teal polish from her Fall 2010 collection is one of my favs ever). They have a great formula and last on me. One of the easiest to apply as well! Love!
ooh I love all three colors! The funmetal gray one is probably my favorite, though. btw how do you clean up your cuticle line? Do you use a specific type of brush dipped in acetone?
Nope, I don’t use a brush — I just do it freehand. 🙂
Love all the shades especially the gunmetal.This one has been marked down to $8.50 on the Target website. yay! 🙂
Hi Appu,
That shade is my fave out of the bunch. 🙂
Have you tried SK’s polishes yet?
No…this would be the first SK polish I try 🙂 Even OPI chips after 3 days on my fingers…hope these last 🙂
$10 for three gorgeous polishes? Count me in.
By the way, your opening line is so true. I’m studying my butt off for finals and have taken lots of study breaks, four of which were to paint my nails. The first round went to painting silver glitter on my fingernails, the second was red glitter on my toes. Third and fourth study breaks were to add holly leaves and bells on my ring fingers and thumbs. Phew! When the [studying] gets tough, the tough paint their nails! Indeed. 🙂
Hi Kerry,
Your fingers and toes sound so cute. 🙂
Are you ready for your tests?
I’m as ready as I’m going to be! At least I can somewhat stay motivated…all I have to do is remind myself that it’s my last time! (Until eventual grad school)
Thanks! 🙂
Awww!!! very very pretty… the shades are superb
Hi Amee,
Glad you like these!
I’m a huge fan of chai too. I found the absolute best place in the WORLD for it, but sadly had to move 1.5 hours away! It’s amazing iced too!
Hi Jenna,
What a bummer. What’s the name of the place? Is it a chain, or a mom-and-pop shop?
Ooh, I love the grey!
Mmm, the Nordstrom Chai sounds delicious! The polishes are gorgeous, too — I <3 the gold shade with your skintone 🙂
It’s SO good. I’m craving it right now, as a matter o’ fact.
Love this set! I’m actually wearing the red one now. I’m about to switch to the gold one and I’m saving the grey one for New Years! Her polishes are phenominal!
omg, only $10??? I neeeeeed that gold and the grey in my life! they are exactly what i was looking for, scoped out some OPI colors like that, but i’ll GLADLY take this trio for that great price instead….thanks so much for featuring it! off to target i go
wow that is perfect nail polish application…*jealous* XD
They are all do beautiful! Makes me sad we don’t have a Target in Canada. 🙁
I had a Seattle’s Best chai that was ridiculously spicy. I don’t know what the heck they put in there!
I suggested to Santa that he put that polish set in my stocking, but I have a feeling that it could get hard to find!
And here are another 3 reasons why we need Target in Canada, now! These are all divine! 🙂
These look very pretty. I love love love painting my nails <3
Totally grabbed this the first time I saw it! The gold and ruby colors are just stunning. They look super high end. I found the steel color a but mediocre in comparison… but I’m not that into gray to begin with.
I was kinda bummed the shades didn’t have individual names though… I love fun nail polish names. Guess I will have to name them myself! 😛
You can’t beat a good gun metal nail colour it works well for the office well my office anyway!
What a great set! All the shades look gorgeous!
Those polishes are sweet! So sparkly and festive! The magenta makes me want to watch the Wizard of Oz. 🙂 Btw, which base coat are you liking right now? OPI lasts a couple of hours before it begins to chip on me without a base. And I’m so darn lazy about applying one. 🙁 I’m thinking that I’d have the same issue with the Sonias.
I’ve been using one from Zoya called Anchor Base coat I got with the Color Lock System. I really, really like it! Here’s a link:
Zoya Anchor Base
Thanks! 🙂
Karen , I have a question
Is this how nails are supposed to be painted ? As in, the gap between the paint and the cuticles and the gap along the sides of the nails…I always thought the whole nail should be covered and used paint till it overlaps my cuticles..:( but now seeing your pictures makes me wonder…hmm
Hi Jane,
Nope! It’s one way to paint your nails, but not the only way. Some people like the color to go all the way to the edges and down to the bottom. It really depends on what you like and what you think looks best on you! 🙂
Love these colors 🙂
those are lovely nail polishes … might be a nice stocking stuffer!
on the subject of chai – i think it depends on who makes it. like there is this particular barista at a particular starbucks that makes it so well it brings tears to my eyes w/ the spice.
theres another one who just goes thru the motions and im served a chai latte that makes me go “meh” …
but youre right – the nordstrom cafe chai latte is the best!
I was starting to sense that too. The guy who made the chai at Nordstrom was REALLY into it, and I think that took the drink to the next level.
I tried making it at home yesterday and it was a disaster. I think I got the wrong type of pre-made mix. It’s way too spicy and tastes like feet. 🙁
Did you get a powdered mix or a liquid concentrate? I can’t stand the powdered stuff. No matter how well you stir to dissolve it still has a gritty texture. I’ve started brewing my own so I can control the spice and sugar levels. Easy and delish.
I love love love these! Especially the gold!
Ouu I love chai! My husband’s Indian aunt of course makes the BEST, but I really love Teavanna’s samurai chai matte too!
Oooh, definitely going to buy these polishes(:
I love the goldish color! I have something like it, I bet mine was 100 time cheaper than this one! Haha.
Wow! $10 for 3 pretty polishes? That sounds like a good stocking stuffer to me!