An Organized Stash

My nail polish collection is growing at a rapid pace.

Not long ago, I had ONE nail polish (Vixen), and had just added my second (Call Your Mother).

Now I have a ridiculous stash of nail polish. I love the challenge of couponing to get cheaper or free polish. I used to think bright/fun colors were weird, and now I’m obsessed. In two years I have completely transformed my feelings about nail polish (mostly just in the last year.) And storing them in a tupperware isn’t doing them any justice right now. (Working on that.)

My biggest issue is when I’m at a store, find a great deal, and can’t remember if that similar color at home is more blue- or exactly the same. Is that purple I have at home shimmery or flat? Is it more red based or yellow based? Sometimes you remember exactly, but sometimes you can’t pull it up in your mind while looking at a similar color.

I decided to make a little “key” to take with me in my purse!

I tweeted and the reactions were a mix of “how organized!” and ones similar to my Twinner’s….

Ok, Twinner is probably right. But the swatches helped me use my 20% coupon at CVS and come home with FIVE polishes!

Both Sally‘s were about $3. The Real Teal has a little shimmer to it, and Pacific Blue is very close to a cobalt without turning into the version of it that I hate. Revlon Sheer Pearl was on sale so not a 20% contender, but it was just over $4, plus got me $3 extra care bucks, so essentially it was just over $1. The Spoiled colors were just under $2. Paying With Platinum is an duochrome gray with greens and purples in it. When I swatched it, it turned out more sheer than I’d thought so I’m interested to try it. I Only Eat Salads is the EXACT color of the green in my wedding (it’s less neon in real life than in the above picture) so I naturally had to have it.

Here are the updated swatch index cards thus far…

Red/Pinks:

I hate that the iridescence in these doesn’t show in the photos. Anyway, do you see the Revlon Custom? It’s an old red I had that I just mixed in some white to make a custom poppy color. LOVE doing that.

Orange/Yellows/Browns:

This is hard category because I feel like often I’ve been worried about bringing home a dupe. But it’s also a favorite- I LOVE wearing these colors- so I hope to grow it.

Greens/Blues:

The lighting ruins so many of these colors, but here they are- clearly this is my favorite category by sheer volume. I never would have guessed it two years ago, but I LOVE wearing blue and green polishes!!!!!!! They are so fun to wear and I will grow this collection to the extremes.

Another one tremendously ruined by photography. Many of these have amazing iridescent qualities.

And the Metal/Neutral colors:

Something interesting- both my crackles apparently don’t crackle on an index card! Go figure. These are all really fun polishes to wear by adding to a mani for a fun touch… amazing how they can change a look!

I’m pretty thrilled with my collection and glad that my buddies (you guys) share the passion with me. Example:

Being tagged at the end of a tweet about an awesome nail place? Pretty much the best part of my day. Thanks Alyssa!!

Those of you with growing nail polish addictions like mine- what tips do you have? How do you organize them? What sneaky ways do you find great deals? Share away!