Actually Romantic
My first Pahlish is Pahlish “Actually Romantic” from December’s Polish Pickup.
“Actually Romantic” is inspired by ‘Actually Romantic’, a song from Taylor Swift’s most recent album. For those of you who are not chronically online, the song details Tay Tay’s amusement at a fellow songstress constantly talking shit about her and musing about living rent-free in her head. The songstress in question is thought to be Charlie XCX, who released a song on Brat that was thought to be about Taylor. As Charlie once opened for Taylor, it can be inferred that drama may be influenced by Charlie’s marriage to one of Matty Healy’s 1975 bandmates. Matty Healy, of course, being the brief yet fiery romance that inspired Taylor’s previous album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’
I will be fifty years old in a few weeks. I have a masters degree and a career…and I just wrote the above paragraph without having to research it first. Help.
This is two coats of “Actually Romantic” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Froot Loops” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
The Winter of My Discontent
2025 SUCKED…and 2026 isn’t looking much better.
I thought a bright blue polish would cheer me right up, so I picked Bluebird Lacquer “The Winter of My Discontent”. This polish is from December’s Polish Pickup and is inspired by the struggle to get through 2025.
Not thermal, not magnetic – just a pretty little scattered holographic polish. It’s sheerer than I expected, but still nice coverage in two caots.
This is two coats of “The Winter of My Discontent” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
After Xmas Gift Card Haul
So my old boss gave me a “connection award” right before Xmas…but instead of $250 extra on my paycheck, the best I could do was pick out gift cards from some website. Right. And there was a fee with each one, so I was only able to get $225 in gift cards. Okay. I got $50 in food gift cards for each of my kids, which left my with $125 for myself…what kind of damage could I do with $125???
That $100 Ulta gift card went quick. I found out (the hard way) that I am allergic to zinc pyrithione – the active ingredient in the CeraVe anti-dandruff shampoo & conditioner I just bought. My scalp was weeping and bleeding – the whole works. I splurged on Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($19.99), Conditioner ($19.99) and Scalp Serum ($48.99). The active ingredient is selenium sulfide and salicylic acid, which thankfully didn’t cause a problem. (My psoriasis is still a problem, so I met with a new dermatologist yesterday that hooked me up with a topical steroid.) That wasn’t quite $100, so I tried out a new Ulta Buffing Foundation Brush ($18) as well. I even got to use a $3.50 off $15 coupon.
The last $25 went to a Bath & Body Works gift card – just in time for the Semi-Annual Sale. This year’s sale was disappointing, but hand soaps and Wallflowers were $2.99, so I picked up 10 hand soaps and a few Wallflowers. I also grabbed more Antibacterial Hand Spray – 3/$10. I was feeling spicy, so I bought my children the most atrocious body sprays I could find. My son and his girl got “Holiday Pickle Ornament” which is not exactly nasty, but not something a human could wear without smelling like a deli tray. It’s less dilly than the candle – imagine “Cucumber Melon”, but with a kick. My daughter got “Cereal Milk Soft Serve” which made me gag. It reminded me of breast milk vomit – it was that bad.
Hopefully, my scalp clears up soon. Fingers crossed for better stuff at this summer’s Semi-Annual Sale.
Polish Pickup December 2025 – Maker’s Choice
Maybe I splurged a little bit on December’s Maker’s Choice…the polishes were so good though!
Pahlish “Actually Romantic” ($14) is inspired by the Taylor Swift song of the same name – fuck off Charlie XCX.
Colores de Carol “Dreaming North” ($13.75) is a magnetic polish inspired by the Aurora Borealis.
Bluebird Lacquer “The Winter of my Discontent” ($13) is inspired by the struggle to get through 2025. PREACH.
Phoenix “Succulents” ($13.50) is another magnetic inspired by…duh…succulents.
Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Froot Loops” ($10) was a grab because I needed more Cuticula Base Coat…too bad I just used up my “Froot Loops” Top Coat.
Finally, Sassy Cats Lacquer “The shadow on the moon” ($13.50) is also magnetic and inspired by Oogie. Who is Oogie?
Choices, choices….
Mermaid Scale
It was so nice to come home from Vegas to package of nail polishes from one of my work besties! Of course, I had to pick the sparkliest one for my Xmas nails…
This is Canmake Tokyo “Mermaid Scale”. I have LOTS of Mermaid-themes polishes and I was happy to add this one to my collection. I believe that Canmake Tokyo is sold at places like MINISO and DAISO – I’ll have to look for more. It is not clumpy at all and smoothed out really nicely – I’m a fan.
This is two coats of “Mermaid Scale” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
Emotional Metamorphosis
After a few years with Polish Pickup, I’ve noticed that I gravitate towards the same dozen or so makers. I get really excited when I pick out a polish from a maker I haven’t tried before. This is my first polish from Chamaeleon Nails and I’m really excited about it.
I’ve tended to avoid thermal polishes lately because my nails have been fairly short. There’s just no amount of hair & nail vitamins that can keep my nails strong through the winter. But Chamaeleon Nails “Emotional Metamorphosis” has such a strong shift that I thought I would give it a try. I was not disappointed.
It’s giving Glinda & Elphaba, isn’t it? ISN’T IT? (The flakies shift green in sunlight, but it’s hard to see in pictures. Just trust me on this one.) I specifically chose this polish to wear in Vegas last week, knowing I’d be going to see The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. In case you wondered, it was FANTASTIC.
This is two coats of “Emotional Metamorphosis” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
Haunted Vibes
I grabbed Emily de Molly “Haunted Vibes” from July’s REWIND, but it was originally from September 2024’s “Vintage Halloween” Polish Pickup. It’s inspired by ‘The House on Haunted Hill’ – and I was almost indignant that a movie I remember seeing in the theater can be considered “Vintage Halloween”…and then I remembered that I’m old as shit. (It came out in 1999.)
The midnight blue and copper combination is giving Guardians of the Galaxy, isn’t it?
I think I FINALLY figured out the key to getting a good magnetic effect with my neodymium magnet! I had been using the flat side of the magnet, but this time – I used the thin edge, and DAMN what a difference! I need to continue experimenting with it, but I think I NAILED IT. (I am so, SO sorry for that pun.)
This is two coats of “Haunted Vibes” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
December 2025 Ipsy Bag – Play Beauty Spread Joy
…December has been so busy that I’ve only tried one of the samples!
My product choice this month was Briogeo Hair Care Superfood Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Hair Mask. I picked it because I have more shampoo than conditioner and can use it with leftover shampoo.
The rest of my products were Eleman Beauty The Gel Lip Pencil in “So Sultry”; Ellis Brooklyn “Dear Sky” (wearing it right now – I love this scent on me, very juicy and fruity); Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Gloss in “Rose”; and Beauty for Certain Tubing Brow Gel (I shall be gifting this one – I don’t need tubes hanging off my 3 eyebrow hairs).
The bag has bows on it, so I am saving it for my son’s girlfriend – she loves ribbons and bows!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Inner Balance
This polish is giving C-3P-HOE!
Baroness X “Inner Balance” is from November’s Polish Pickup and is inspired by the need to balance emotions within ourselves. The gold with silver shimmer is totally spaceworthy AND holidayworthy. It’s also a magnetic polish, but either it’s VERY subtle or I didn’t leave my nail on the rare earth magnet long enough. I think I’ll try again with the neodymium magnet…
This is two coats of “Inner Balance” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Tropical Oasis” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Huckleberry“.
Naked Shaped Black Friday Haul
…before you ask – YES, there were gifts in my Ulta Black Friday Haul. But would I be me if I didn’t pick up a lil’ sumthin’ for myself?
I’ve been eyeing the new(ish) Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Shaped Multi-Tasking Eyeshadow Palette Cool for a while…and 30% all Urban Decay brought that $56 palette down to $39.20. I absolutely LOVE this palette – it includes 4 cream eye shadows, as well as 5 mattes, 4 shimmers and 1 glimmer topper. I’ve been using the lightest cream eye shadow (“Faux Snow”) as a primer and the rest of the shadows glide over it like butter. I’m considering getting the Warm version the next time I see a sale or have a coupon – it’s the best Naked yet!
Ulta products were 40% off, so I got Ulta Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads ($2.39, down from $3.99) – I probably should have stocked up on a few other things…oh well.
I remembered to use my Diamond Bonus to get a FREE DIME Beauty Hyper Glow Antioxidant + Brighten Serum (worth $32). I definitely didn’t need another Clinique foundation that I would never use. I also used my $25 off beauty services coupon this weekend – feels good to not miss out on freebies.
Speaking of freebies, I got three gifts with purchase with my order! I got an Ulta Beauty Collection Free 9 Piece Gift with select $65 shipped purchase, which includes an eye shadow palette, cream blush, lip stain, lip gloss, Matte Veil Eyeshadow Primer, Matte Veil Face Primer, Makeup Sponge, and Eye Shadow Brush in a Pink Satin Makeup Bag.
Inside my Free 7 Piece Gift with select $75 shipped purchase: CHI Infra Silk Infusion (I just gave two of these to Caty – I hope she wants more); Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream (I don’t have this one yet – yay!); Yves Saint Laurent “Black Opium” (ew); Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Strengthening Serum; Lolavie Glossing Detangler (Barbie is getting this one); Origins Youthtopia Refining Apple Peel; La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser; and a green velvet drawstring pouch to put it in!
Inside my Free Diamond & Platinum Exclusive Gift with select $100 shipped purchase: Bioderma Sensibio Soothing Micellar Cleansing Foaming Gel; Gucci “Guilty” (blech); Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner (yay! both!); Virtue Healing Hair Oil; bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil; Sunday Riley Good Genes; Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base; and Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask.
Is this my last Ulta order of the year? Only time will tell…how good the sales are between Xmas and New Years.