After finals, we all need a break. Personally, I’ve found nail polish a comforting and fun activity to recenter before another semester of chaos. A little pop of color can bring sophistication even to boring beige attire; what’s not to love?
Freya G. Maher (11) declared that red is most definitely the best color of nail polish. “It’s strong and powerful, but still cute,” she explained, elaborating that red is an all around solid color that goes with everything. Maher said she wears red because it “has a lengthening effect to my very small child hands.” Some sophomores in my health class would disagree. Max Sonera-Gregg (10) emphasized the pastels, for a more muted approach. “A mint green…[or a] really light powdery blue, or teal,” said Sonera-Gregg. Riley West (10) couldn’t help but add, “almost like an Eastery type pastel.” The two nodded in agreement. But light blue can be dangerous, explains Maher, because “it looks nice when it’s on, but then it starts to chip and that’s when problems occur.” Chipping nail polish is the bane of any nail painter’s existence, diminishing even your favorite colors’ sparkle. Maher has observed this phenomenon on her own hands. “When it starts to chip it looks like some weird frostbitten thing,” said Maher. I cut the quote off there, because the interview devolved into a detailed discussion about what frostbite looks like.
Sonera-Gregg pondered the best way to pick a color. “It depends on your skin tone honestly, just like what color compliments your skin the best,” advised Sonera-Gregg. Nail polish colors can contribute to your aesthetic, so they should match “your whole look in general,” said Sonera-Gregg.
Other students from health class had various opinions. For example, a situation that would require neon orange would be at “a Beavers football game,” said Cameron Shafer (10) with enthusiasm. “Maybe get a Beaver logo on there,” he imagined wistfully. Delilah Poehner (11) had other ideas for the color orange, especially around Halloween. They declared that “little Jack O’ Lanterns on the fingies” would unquestionably be superior.
Graham Brown (12) had unique advice about how to pick your nail polish color. “Take into account your own safety,” advised Brown. “Don’t think about the color; just pick whichever one’s least likely to kill you at age 50,” he said, to address the carcinogenic properties of nail polish, which I had to admit was fair. “You know, if you breathe it in,” he clarified. Brown also suggested wearing slightly different shades of the same color as a prank, “but only slightly so people can’t tell, and then when they get up close they’re really pissed off.”
Elise Bradley, one of Franklin’s climate and equity coaches, gained my immediate respect for her profound ideas about nail polish, and because she was rocking black french tips. I consider Bradley a nail polish philisoph. “It’s super important to not match your nail polish to your toes,” Bradley emphasized. She went on to address seasonal nail polish, with some controversial beliefs: “I’m not above having red nails around Valentine’s Day,” she admitted, but explained that alternating red and green around Christmas time would be a hard pass. Bradley articulated various ways of determining what color to wear. “I used to choose my nail color based on the name of the color itself,” she recalled. “I would read things, and if they were like ‘Take me to the Taj Mahal’ I’m like yes, that sounds great!” she said. “Or Billy’s Bonanza or something, I’m like ‘Yes, I picture myself in a tropical location,’” which truly speaks to the power of marketing in this economy, but I digress. “I have since shifted from that, and now I just pick a color that makes me the most happy,” finished Bradley.
In the process of interviewing for this article, a few preferred nail colors were especially unique; including but not excluded to: blood red, a very dark red with undertones of purple and blue, a black and purple color with sparkles, but only from the brand OPI (I don’t understand this either), and finally, clear (if you’re feeling particularly mysterious). The creativity that comes with self expression is on full display in the Franklin community. Personally, I agree with Bradley: you can never go wrong with whichever color brings you joy. Nail polish can be a “happy little metaphor” as Bob Ross never said, for mental health and wellness in our lives, with choices guided by the freedom of self expression, and whatever makes us happy.
