Nail Polish 💅
Hello!
It may seem like kind of a small thing, but I've recently been really into painting my nails. It's kind of a lot to me because my nails go through some rough handling multiple times a week, so I never felt like I was allowed to treat them like this. But I got some nice ones that seem to hold up well so far.
Does anyone else like doing simple things like this? What colors do you like? Are there any other little self-care style things you like to do that this reminds you of?
I took a pretty picture of my nails recently. Here.

@BusyBird What a great way to show yourself some lovin'. That color looks so good on your nails and I love your length of your nails. I'm a big time nail bitter, lol, so no pretty nails for me. 😂 By the way, painting your nails does not seem small in any way. Making time and prioritizing yourself for a bit to show self love and care is a big thing. I'm happy for you. 😀
@YourCaringConfidant Thanks! 😊 I'm hoping they'll stay longer because of the nail polish protecting them. And I understand the nail biting! I used to do that when I was a child. I had to stop because my teeth became very sensitive, which actually helped me quit (the habit moved though lol). Maybe there's some way to make nail biting less appealing for you, too. 🙂 Hopefully without damaging your teeth like I did, of course.
@BusyBird I'm happy you were able to stop. I've gotten acrylic nails to try and help me stop biting, but I'm the person that chews the fake nails off. 😂 I even went through a nail wrap phase see if I would like that, but then I end up picking the nail polish wraps off. Haha. One day, maybe... one day. Lol.
Pretty shade, I used to be heavily into my nails, a rainbow of colours and simple designs. I loved special occasions where I'd treat myself to a professional colour/manicure and once they said Who did your nails and I just blushed and said me :)
Now I just work on the face, mask, cleanser, face brush massage, really relaxing :)
Favourite colours, purple, white and burgundy and black seemed to stand out the most ha.
@ScrabbleBrain Ooh! So you were really good at it, then. 😉 How did you make designs on your nails? I've seen people paint directly on the nail, but I've also seen stamps. I want to try applying color with a sponge someday for that cloudy look.
I can relate to the facial care, too. I don't do any fancy massages, though. I went far too long without taking care of my skin. I heard dry brushing helps.
Those are honestly some of the best colors in my opinion.
@BusyBird I didn't consider myself really good, I think more creative, something that wasn't just ordinary.
One thing could be a wavy line across the middle in a different colour, on top of your main colour, something darker.
Strategic glitter spots in a corner or french tips that weren't necessarily white, any colour would do. Just have fun with it.
I've heard dry brushing is good too. Pampering relaxes me so that's what my weekends entail mostly. Oh gosh I remember I hated the toxic scent of polish and the remover, glad to be rid of that :D
@ScrabbleBrain Honestly? I feel like creativity isn't so common these days. That's still really cool!
Ooh, yes. The smell... I have tried a couple of nail polishes that are supposed to be free of common toxic ingredients, and supposedly they smell a bit better, but they still smell mostly the same to me.
@BusyBird It's 2026 you would think they could create something odourless that still does the job.
Maybe doing funky nails was a conversation starter or a way to differentiate from the crowd just a tiny bit.
I felt so bland, it was good way to beautify a part of me :) Now the creative flair is more with writing and my wardrobe, I just don't like wearing the same as everyone else :)
@ScrabbleBrain That... is a good point. Though I'm still certain your nails were impressive. Most people don't try very hard at all. I'm actually considering trying out nail art like that once I gather enough supplies.
Ooh. Do you want to talk about your writing? And style? :) Me, I'm still figuring out style. I usually wear jeans with a tucked-in T-Shirt or something, but that's partly because I drive a motorcycle to class. Can't really wear a dress for that.
@BusyBird The nails might have been a lil cute, the amount of times I threw a fit and started over was ridiculous though ha..
Have you thought about shorts or leggings under a dress or skirt? Or is that too retro? Ha. Oh there's always patterned tights but bit difficult in warmer weather.
My style is just smart casual. I don't like plain things or skulls or flowery clothes, I like details that are unusual.
I bought a gothic coat but only because, it looked so pretty to me, like nothing I'd seen before, corset tie at the back and kinda ruffles, so bizarre and yet a style of it's own..
How about you? Writing wise I like trying new things and writing about them, or short sorta romcom type stories.
Although for some reason I wrote a children's one..
@ScrabbleBrain I actually have considered going out with tights, maybe under shorts. I only just recently even got some good tights. I have a black one and then I have a floral fishnet one, but I'm still low on shorts that fit right.
I lived in hand-me-down sporty clothes and men's clothes for a long time, so I'm only just now getting to try new things. Wearing holes into them. I recently ordered a couple of casual pants I'm hoping to wear during the hot summer months.
The gothic corset-style clothing does sound really cute. I'm curious how you style something like that.
And some of these patterns they make are just overdone, I think. Or they'll find a way to make it feel cheap (in a bad way). I was just at the mall yesterday and I felt like most of the styles were overdone and made in a hurry.
It's probably healthy to explore the different types of stories. I can imagine a children's book would be pretty easy to write. In a good way. It could allow you to fuel your creativity without stealing too much of your time and energy.
I've never really written any stories. Well, I did write a short story in my diary due to a sudden burst of chaotic hermit energy during lockdown times, but that's all I've ever done. I was thinking of trying to write a real book someday, but I just don't know what I would do. Maybe something with a little bit of philosophy baked into it, or horror...
@BusyBird Floral fishnet tights interesting, didn't know that existed or that there's a sock version of fishnet tights that protect you feet if you're wearing shoes or ankle boots, that's a fun accessory.
I tend to blister up so easily, I wear thick mens socks ha with my purple boots. The coat is the only I have so I wear anything, it's so old I need to replace but it's so toasty..
Stories wise, it's so versatile, you can put any themes in it, good for you for writing during that crazy time.
I know that using a site like wattpad kicked me into gear and made it properly structured with a title and an outline, lol, I just tend to make it up as I go to be honest :)
Are you a hat person? I feel like they look odd on me *grins*
@ScrabbleBrain Honestly though, a lot of shoes are just painful. I can't blame you for wearing good socks! My comfiest shoes are my motorcycle boots.
What kind of material is your jacket made of? 👀 I feel like I am exploring material properties as much as style. One of my friends swears polyester is warm, but I insist on wool and leather for the winter.
Hats? I actually like some hats! I have four Greek fisherman hats. I like that they're a little more decorative than the stuff you usually see sold these days, and they have just enough structure not to visually flatten my head. What kind of hats have you tried on?
@BusyBird Yea boots are much more comfortable than shoes, I just stick to them. Umm I only remember trying posh fancy ones and then lowkey bobble hats and they messed up my hair and were probably just too big lol
I had to look it up, yowser it's ancient my coat and made from cotton. I thought it was polyester. It's lined, looks thin but I usually layer anyway.
I used to love wearing shiny satiny lacy clothes, I need to update my wardrobe too but I keep changing sizes, seems like a waste of money.
Oh I shop online now, I find the styles are more modern. I remember the days of breaking your arms, carrying a gazillion outfits to the changing rooms and nearly passing out, it was so stuffy lol
@ScrabbleBrain Ooh. Yeah, I learned to measure my head the hard way. The hats I got were all ordered online because they're vintage. I have two hats that are too large.
Satin and shiny can be so pretty. Especially the fancy ones with some lace!
It's understandable to struggle with sizing, though. I used to have just the hardest time finding things that were actually small enough, and sometimes I still do, but I gained weight. So, I grew out of a whole bunch of things. Mainly pants.
Sometimes it's better to have a few oversized things that look good regardless of whether or not you gain or lose.
@BusyBird It is hard to gaige sizes. Most of my things are 2 or more sizes too big now. I try to buy things a size up but buying in my size seems better practice.
@ScrabbleBrain You're probably right. It's all about preference, too. Sorry it's so difficult, though. :(
@BusyBird different stores have different sizes, so I got a tape measure and try to do it that way. I hate returning things
Heyy! These nails look goooorgeous 💅🌹
I used to be a nail freak not so long ago, buying all sorts of unnecessary nail art stickers and tools and press-ons, nail stamps, nail pens and whatnot, so much of what I still haven't used 😅..... Still waiting for that part of self-care me to come back again.. it's been a while, can't wait to start doing it again ✨💅
Aand burgundy, red and lavender are my faavv. What about you?
@Fatimaishere Thank you. 😌✨️
These are good ideas. 👀 I can't blame you for going through phases with this kind of thing. Sometimes we just buy tools for a certain craft and then fall out before we even start. I do hope you get to try them out soon!
I love those colors! I like burgundy, purple, maroon, deep blues, and anything that is particularly shiny like the magnetic ones. Especially dark colors so they're as shiny and reflective as can be. The one in the image is magnetic and has a gel-like top coat.
@BusyBird ahaha I've phases in almost everyyyything, I guess that's because I lose interest in things pretty early..or... maybe because I'm just a moon who knows🫣
Aaand I loveee shinyyy and colorful things..but..not always..cuz "PHASES" 😂😭..
Sometimes my only fav color is black and minimalist designs... It's soo hard to choose between both of my personalities
(Wanted to add a gif but you prolly can't on the phone) 🥲
So here's a throwback pic to when i was really really into it 💅

@BusyBird
They're really pretty. I love the glitter. I'm personally a fan of glitter too. I put the golden glitter polish on my toes. It looks fabulous. Unfortunately I can't add a picture here.
I like to keep my toes polished but I dislike painting my fingers. It feels too much and I don't like when the color chips off. It doesn't look neat.
@trueconfidant123
Gold is an interesting choice! I almost got gold shimmer polish too but I just haven't got around to picking one yet.
I can understand that. I just think toes are so much easier to paint, personally. I haven't painted my toes in so long, though. They're usually hidden in boots anyway.
It would be cool to see someday if you're ever able to/comfortable with. :)
@BusyBird Such a pretty colour, what is it called?
@Koko5 The shop I bought it from labeled it "Maroon Magnetic Nail Polish- Vermithor's Choosing"
I think it was a great first color, to be honest. It looks almost pinkish if you use just one layer, and more like a dark maroon if you use three (I only used 2 layers in the photo). The shine in it reminds me of embers. It also has some occasional white flakes in it, but they often appear more pinkish due to the maroon. It reminds me of dragon scales.
@BusyBird Thanks very much. It kinda looks like a dark, reddish copper colour in the picture. Reminds me of embers too, very pretty.
Those nails look lovely!
I haven't tried painting my nails, but I do grow mine quite long, which I quite like, makes me feel nice and girly .
@generousPineapple6613 I agree! Long nails are very nice. Although mine look a little odd without color covering up the flaws, haha. How do you keep yours from breaking?
@BusyBird sadly I usually have one or two nails break at the tip if they get too long. Seems to be one of the first two fingers that break the easiest. I've no idea of what to put on them to help. Any suggestions would be appreciated
@generousPineapple6613 I'm still a little new at this myself, but I've recently started using a clear-ish nail polish that is supposed to help strengthen and nourish the nails. I figure it's better than nothing. I also re-apply any type of polish after a matter of days, and every single time I remove the polish I also file my nails. Some of the nails are trying to peel at the corners, so I'm carefully filing down the texture and then covering it with the protective polish. I figure it might at least extend the life of the nail's length, right? I doubt I can keep this up forever, though.
@BusyBird
I do have a nail file.... somewhere. I'll see if I can find it and also look for some nail polish in the shops. ..it would be nice to keep my nails long for as long as possible before one or two breaks.
I've always liked pretty long nails so I decided to grow my nails long too. It feels so girly and nice 😊