Fall is my favorite time of year in San Francisco. It rarely gets either cold or hot in the city, with the Bay keeping the climate pretty much the same year ’round, but the brief summer we do get usually occurs in what would normally be the fall, which means t-shirts in October and sometimes even November.
It’s when autumn colors drench the city — grey buildings contrast against streets carpeted with maroon autumn leaves, as buttery autumn sunlight weaves through the high rises downtown. I love it.
I suppose my love for the city in fall explains why I’ve fallen for Sally Hansen‘s new nail collection, inspired by 10 fall colors created in collaboration with clothing designer Tracy Reese. The industrial grey, black and blue shades contrast well with maroons and neutrals, as do the streets of my favorite city in the fall.
- Alchemy – deep plum with subtle purple and gold shimmer
- Cruel Heart – maroon with subtle gold flecks
- Divinity – pale beige with grey flecks
- Moonstone – white shimmer
- Night Lily – maroon matte
- Raven’s Wing – black with big silver glitter
- The Good Earth – dark chocolate brown with subtle gold flecks
- Torrid Bloom – matte hot pink
- Quartz Cameleon – pale peachy- pink beige with subtle gold flecks
- Stormy Blue – dark grey blue shimmer
At $6, these drugstore polishes are a downright steal! You get a little bit less product than you would from a Lippmann Collection shade (0.45 oz for a bottle of Sally Hansen versus 0.50 oz for a Lippmann Collection bottle), but you’re paying half the price. These colors are also durable like Lippmann polishes, clinging like that ex-boyfriend you wish would just go away.
I painted my nails with three layers for these pics, and five days later they had nary a chip. And that’s without topcoat, yo. If your nails take a beating like mine do, then definitely put one of these in your basket on your next trip to Rite Aid or the House of Tar-ghay. Update: These Sally Hansen colors will hit the shelves in September. 🙂
Torrid Bloom
Night Lily
Cruel Heart
Alchemy
Chameleon
Moonstone
Night Divinity
The Good Earth
Stormy Blue
Raven’s Wing
After much thought, my favorites of the bunch are Chameleon, The Good Earth and Night Lily.
The neighbor’s tabby likes Torrid Bloom…
How about you? Which do you like best?
Want to see these budget beauties in person? The fall 2008 Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer collection anxiously awaits your arrival at your favorite drugstore.
Ahh, yes. I am so glad it’s Thursday! It looks like it’s going to be sunny today, which means I’d better find a way to de-hair my legs before I put on that dress I’ve been eyeing in my closet, LOL. Today is my “Friday,” so after work I’m treating myself to some iced tea at a cafe and a few uninterrupted minutes writing in my journal. I’m really looking forward to it!
Do you have your weekend plans yet? I may go to the movies and to dinner with my friend Cindy if I can get my work done first.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Dao says
LOL at Stripes. So did you paint his nails as well? I think I like Night Lilly and Moonstone. The later one looks like the one from Heatherette. I’ll probably go see Batman this weekend. It’s been so hard to get tickets to see that show.
Asta says
I’m loving Cruel Heart. I’ll most likely pick up a bunch of these.
My weekend plans are my friend’s wedding! I’m doing all the readings for the mass so I’d better practice.
Jeanne says
Ooh, gorgeous! I stalked my local drugstores for weeks until the spring shades showed up, so now I guess it’s back to pacing through the Longs after work…
Tiffany says
Hi Karen!
Oooh, I must have chameleon! So pretty!
I have NOTHING going on this weekend. Pretty lame. I’ll probably hit the farmer’s market on saturday, and maybe so see the batman movie as well. Hope you enjoy your ‘friday’!
Jaimie says
I really like Alchemy and Good Earth. I always am into kinda dark n moody colors. I ‘ll have to get those!
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Misti says
Alchemy and Good Earth are callin’ my name!!!
Paula says
I am right in line behind Misti – those are the two I am most craving. It was so hard last year to get a true deep brown, most all had some tinge of deep purple/plum, to The Good Earth will be my first to grab up.
As for the weekend, I would trade places with any of you, as the movers will be here at 9am in the morningto move us into a new house. I hate moving!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Amanda says
Cruel Heart and Alchemy are gorgeous!!!
I’m just getting caught up on my “internet reading”, and I love, love, love the chanel lipgloss from a couple days back. *swoon* I’m all over the “sheer but dark” lip trend come fall. And the candy glow aqua-whatever-it’s-name gloss is my new favorite….so I may really, really need Ironic tonic! there another called plum somethig that I just saw this weekend–which is gorgeous also.
Karen too says
Hi Karen! Iced tea and journaling sure sounds nice. Hope you’ll have a nice weekend! For me, Chameleon, The Good Earth and Stormy Blue were the colors that stood out of the bunch. I have some old Chanel “Rouge Noir” on my toe nails right now that should be replaced. Too bad I can’t get Sally Hansen where I live…
Brittany says
I’m loving all of these. I bought all of the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen spring collection when it came out! I’ll probably buy most of these. I’m loving Raven’s Wing, Stormy Blue, and the Good Earth.
I love that you left your neighbor’s cat into your house, that’s so funny.
Karen says
Hi Dao,
I’m starting to think this cat’s adopted me, because he’s over 24-7! I actually thought about painting his nails but El Hub totally talked me out of it, LOL.
Eat some popcorn for me at the movies. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Asta,
How fun! Have a great time at the wedding. Do you think you might get teary? Gotta remember the waterproof mascara. 😉
Good luck with the readings!
Karen says
Hi Jeanne,
You’re so cute! These will be available in September, so you have some time to brush up on your nail polish stalking skills.
I love going to Longs. Being there reminds me of Hawaii, where going to the Longs is a full on EVENT!
Karen says
Hi Tiffany,
Sounds like it’s going to be a mellow one for ya. That’s always good. You know what I love about the farmer’s market? Free samples! 🙂
Enjoy the new Batman movie. And try not to think of C. Bale in jail while you’re watching it. (boo hoo)
Karen says
Hi Misti,
Good Earth is super beautiful in person… just the most perfect shade of chocolate brown. Seriously, it won’t disappoint!
Karen says
Hi Paula,
Good Earth is so chocolatey, I almost want to gnaw at my fingernails. 🙂
Oh boy! I hate moving, too. Good luck with that and hopefully things go smoothly.
Karen says
Hi Amanda,
🙂 Candy Glow is so fab. I wore that a bunch of times earlier this week. The great thing about those glosses is that they require no work whatsoever, but they look great!
And yes, you need Ironic Tonic!
Karen says
Hi Karen Too,
I hope you have a great weekend, too. 🙂 What are your plans?
I have some old Lippmann Collection on my toes and they are waaaay past overdue. I think one of these shades will have to go on to replace it!
Karen says
Hi Brittany,
LOL, he’s sort of adopted us. I really don’t know if he belongs to somebody, because he doesn’t wear a collar. If he’s a stray I’m guessing at some point in time he belonged to somebody, because he’s so sweet and he’s litterbox trained (yes, I hate to admit it, but I bought the damn cat a litterbox).
I think he’s used to getting by on the kindness of strangers, LOL.
Anyway, I’m sad I missed the spring collection. I’m thinking I will have to start collecting more of these colors because the quality of the polish is really top notch. Usually, if I don’t wear a top coat , my nails are chipped by the third day!
Got any weekend plans yet?
Shefali says
OMG I’m so all over these. I bought 3 from the spring collection (incredibly hard to find these Sally Hansen by Tracy Reese collections by the way…I searched a whole bunch of CVS/Walgreen’s stores in various cities and finally found them at a Walgreen’s in a shi-shi area of Pasadena where I live). You’re right Karen…the durability of these polishes is amazing. Better than any other polish I’ve ever purchased. My lemmings from this collection: Cruel Heart, Alchemy, Moonstone, The Good Earth, Stormy Blue, and Raven’s Wing. Love them! Thanks for giving us the scoop!
Karen says
Shefali!
I wish these came into my life sooner because they are the shizz. 🙂 Do you have any colors in your current stash that you love?
Lehea says
I like Alchemy, for both the name and the color. Target here I come!
Rowena says
Lavelllyyy! But you know your application is so neat – I never keep polish on because I end up smudging it. 🙁
Meanwhile I have to know, are you enjoying all the extra Christian Bale press attention?!
Kerry says
I am loving the good earth, chameleon and alchemy. Fall is a pretty season.
one love
Jessica says
Hmm … none of the polishes are really appealing to me. *checks own pulse* Weird.
I love journaling and iced tea as a treat! Today’s my Friday, too, and I’m planning to finally go see the Sex and the City movie tonight. Yay!
Miss QQ says
My favourites are Chameleon, Stormy Blue and Raven’s Wing. Cruel Heart reminds me of Chanel’s Lotus Rouge I had from last year’s Fall collection. It is still ongoing.
Karen says
Hi Rowena,
Hmm, it sounds like we need to get you a quick dry formula. It’s this liquid that you drop onto wet nails to speed up the drying process. Check out Drip Dry from OPI:
http://www.opi.com/trQuikDry.asp
Karen says
Hi Jessica,
LOL, that happens sometimes. It kinda shocks me though, when it happens with things I usually get really excited about, like Chanel quads.
Have fun tonight at your movie! Don’t forget to bring tissue…
Karen says
Hi Miss QQ,
Stormy Blue reminds me of a Revlon shade I rocked in 2001; it really takes me back.
How’s the wear time on your Lotus Rouge? Does it chip quickly?
Lucky says
I am in LUST with Alchemy and Chameleon, they are right up my alley! And I’m loving those reds as well. They look perfect for fall; I wish they’d come out sooner!
I like the in-between seasons, like early fall (perfect football game weather!) and late spring (when I want to get married-someday!).
Luckys last blog post..Whilst Bored at Work, Written on a Contraband Post-It
Marisol says
ooohhh this are nice colors! I really like them. Thanks for the swatches Karen.
I may go see The Dark Knight this weekend but besides that, I am laying low.
Enjoy your weekend!
Brittany says
Ah, well, he’s adorable 🙂
I don’t have anything planned yet. I think I have to work a couple of hours Saturday morning, then I might go over to my BFF’s and hang out by the pool. Plus, I have to do the typical weekend stuff, cleaning up the apartment, laundry, grocery shopping, that kind of thing.
Music_Is_Freedom says
I am loving Cruel Heart! It’s a dramatic yet wearable shade…and I’m not really a nail polish-kinda gal. Although, a colour like this might change that! (All the fall trends are going to leave such a dent in my wallet…oy.)
Karen says
Hi Lucky,
I like the in-betweens, too. One of these days you’ll have to make it SF in the fall. It’s really amazing. 🙂
Hey, did you go and pick up your award? Congrats again.
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
🙂 Tell our man hi for me. Get him to his anger management class on time, too, please.
Karen says
Hi Brittany,
Yeah, he’s cute and he knows it!
Sometimes I wish all the weekend errands would miraculously do themselves, sigh! Last year when El Hub asked me what I wanted for Valentine’s Day I told him to get me somebody to clean the house and do all the errands. That’s the way to my heart, for sure.
What kind of work do you do?
Karen says
Hi Music_Is_Freedom,
I go through phases where I am and then I am not a polish girl on my fingers. I always have to have my toes polished, though… otherwise they look like monkey feet. 🙂
You should totally get Cruel Heart! It’s really very elegant.
Mimi says
WoW really lovin these colors, especially stormy blue it’s definitely my new must have dark shade!!! Also in ove with moonstone, I could neva find a cool silver to wear they all had like sparkles in them, I mean I love tinkerbell n all but I was goin out and wanted a grown n sexi look.
The gorgeous-o neutrals are chameleon and night divinity, makes me think of someone licking cupcake icing off my finger…ahem sorry I’ll keep it PG-13. Lol!
Roxy says
Wow! I’m actually surprised I like these as much as I do … they’re stunning … gonna have to get me a Sally haul tonight! xo
Music_Is_Freedom says
Is this collection being released internationally? Just curious…
Lucky says
I really want to visit SF, it sounds like paradise!
I actually picked up my award this evening at a lil’ dinner, and there were other awards given out as well. It was SO much fun; I had to give a speech (and so did my dad, randomly!)and people kept shaking my hand, congratulating me-there were even a few TV people there! Having my 15 minutes of fame was awesome, I’m so touched that you remembered, Karen!
XOXO
Karen B says
I like alchemy… a lot ^^
Steph says
Hi Karen,
One thing I love about fall is the colors. All these colors look great on I’m really impressed with Sally professional lacquer. I mean when did Sally get so cool 🙂
Stephs last blog post..Milani Cosmetics: Runway Eyes Swatches, Review
Karen says
Hi Mimi,
LOL, you make me laugh! This is a family show, girl!
Karen says
Hi Roxy,
The colors are so pretty and perfect for fall! Oh, they won’t be in stores till September!
Karen says
Hi Music_Is_Freedom,
Hmm, let me check and get back to you on that!
Karen says
Hi Lucky,
How wonderful! It sounds like it was an evening to remember. I’m sure it took you lots of hard work to get there so congrats. 🙂
And when you’re all famous I hope you remember to give me a shout out, LOL!
Karen says
Hi Karen B.,
It’s really gorgeous, and would be great on the toes, dontcha think?
Karen says
Hi Steph,
Seriously! I dunno when they got cool, but I’m glad they did!
Donna Vitan says
Whatever do you do with all these polishes? You have an overwhelming collection of them. How often do you change your polish anyway?
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