Skimp or Spend? # 1

Welcome to the first post on my new series, Skimp or Spend? In these posts I will compare two polishes in my stash that are similar (not always exact dupes) but have two very different prices. I want to share that inexpensive nail polishes can often have a better quality than an expensive polish, and vice versa. Although I will be explaining my thoughts on the two, it's ultimately your decision. Would you rather skimp, or spend? ❤

 Since Valentines Day is right around the corner, I thought it'd be fitting to make this post about pink polishes! Today I'll be talking about two pink polishes, both with subtle shimmer, OPI's Chic From Ears To Tail ($8.99), and Love (so appropriate for v-day) by Pure Ice ($1.97). I'm so excited to share my thoughts and to kick off this series!

I started off with no base coat (mainly because I forgot but I also didn't want to waste my base coat on polish that I'm going to immediately take off), and 1 coat of Chic From Ears to Tail and Love on alternating nails. As you can see, Love by Pure Ice is a tad darker and it is also way more opaque. Chic From Ears to Tail had a very runny formula and is very streaky on the first coat. 

After the second coat of each polish, Love is completely opaque. I used thin coats for each polish and the formula for Love just glides on and is so creamy. The second coat for the OPI polish removed streakiness but there is a very noticeable and large bald spot on each nail. I think it was because the brush was a little bit stiff and removed some of the first coat from that area. 

Once I added the third coat, Chic From Ears to Tail was getting a bit better, the bald spot was slowly getting covered but is still very visible. Love on the other hand was completely opaque with the second coat so I added a layer of top coat so that you can see the shine. I used Orly's Sec 'N Dry top coat, not because it's amazing, but because I didn't want to waste my Seche Vite. Sec 'N Dry is actually really bad quality, after two hours my polish was still easily dentable and was completely ruined. 

Finally after 4 coats, the OPI polish was opaque. I could hardly see the bald spot anymore and I was satisfied with the color. 

With top coat on all of my fingers, you can see that Chic From Ears to Tail is slightly brighter than Love. It's not too noticeable, I don't think anyone would tell unless they were an inch away from my nails. I'm a little disappointed that this polish took 4 coats to look decent.

Overall I think I would Skimp. As much as I love OPI, this polish was way too watery/runny for my taste. I don't want to deal with 4-5 coats every time I use this. I would rather grab for a two coater. I do love that the shimmer in Chic From Ears to Tail is more noticeable though, it's so pretty in the light! I'm also really happy that the Pure Ice polish is under 2 dollars! It really can't get better than that, especially when it has an amazing formula. 

So what's your decision, Skimp or Spend? Or maybe both! :)