Splurge v. Steal Throwndown: Summer Nail Polish

I love nail polish. I even like the smell (I'm aware this is strange). I like experimenting with different color combinations and textures. If you buy nail polish often, it can be expensive. OPI and Essie run about $8.50 a bottle (still a lot less expensive than a spa manicure). I decided I'd try an inexpensive brand to see if it worked as well. Here are today's contenders:

SPLURGE: 

v. 

STEAL: 

The Lowdown: 

Essie Mint Candy Apple: This is one of my favorite Essie colors. It goes on smoothly, and you only need two coats to get the color pictured. If you use a good topcoat, you should be chip free for a reasonable time period. 

Benefits: The nail polish will last you upwards of a year, no goop! 

Negative: $8.50 a bottle 


Sinful Colors Mint Apple: The sheen in this polish is nice, and adds a little dimension. However, It took me 4 coats to get the opaque color that you see in the bottle. Of course, that means the polish is more prone to chipping. 

Benefits: $2.00. 

Negative: You'll have to basically dump the whole bottle on your nails to get the desired color. 

This round goes to the splurge!