I don’t have a problem admitting that I sometimes have a problem picking out nail polish; the endless choices leave me short-circuiting in the drugstore isle. Sometimes I go in without a plan, and since I have only a vague idea of what I’m looking for, I walk out with a panicked pick of color and formula that only kinda sorta look the way I want. Lucky for me, and all the other drugstore shoppers out there, Sally Hansen recently underwent a some massive changes to prevent just this sort of thing. The brand started by repackaging all their products and redesigning their wall units in stores to include blurbs that educate consumers about each product and the need it fills. I dipped into a Duane Reade to check it out, and it’s true, their wall was well organized with different lines of nail polish and tools clearly marked and explained. I got the chance to sit down and play dress up with their Spring and Summer shades in different nail formulas, as evidenced by the swatches below.

Nail Growth Miracle in “Creamy Olive”

First comes the Nail Growth Miracle in Creamy Olive. This pale green doesn’t just give nails a sophisticated edge, it also contains advanced peptide technology and keratin, biotin, and vitamins A, C, and E. This line uses all these strengthening ingredients to boost nail growth – according to the company, 30% longer in 5 days.

Xtreme Wear Formula in “Very Cherry”

The Xtreme Wear formula (shown here in Very Cherry) uses the combo of a Perfect Glide Brush and their Hard as Nails formula to produce nail color that lasts up to seven days. I’m extra-tough on my nails, so I usually fall a bit short of that promised week, but I’ve noticed that this line does fair better that regular polishes.

Complete Salon Manicure in “Casting Call”

For those who mus have it all, the Complete Salon Manicure combines a base coat, a strengthener, a growth agent, color, and a top coat in one single bottle. It’s like the Nail Growth Miracle line with base and top coats added. The color here, Casting Call, doesn’t disappoint either. Every spring I read an article that swears that coral is the new pink. I disagree, maintaining that pink is always the new pink (garnering aghast faces from my fashionista friends) but even I can’t deny that this shade is lady-like and punchy at the same time.

Sally Hansen Insta Dri in “Teal-y Fast”

Next comes the Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Teal-y Fast. For the perpetually rushed among us, this line dries in sixty seconds and features a wide, flat brush that gets a nail done in a single swipe. (Okay, I do two, just to be safe.) It makes an on-the-go pedicure possible, which frees up time for other, more fun summer-related activities.

Sally Hansen Crackle “Snow Blast” over “Teal-y Fast”

When OPI debuted their Black Shatter polish, only to follow it with a silver version, I wasn’t quite sure where the appeal laid. I try really hard to make the surfaces of my nails look smooth and flawless, and now I’m supposed to rough them up with a contrasting topcoat that separates into jagged lines? Now, Sally Hansen has released a full line of eight shades of the similar Crackle polish, and I realized that I just didn’t have enough variety to get on board with the look. I pounced on Snow Blast (shown here over Teal-y Fast) and started daydreaming about painting it over all my pale pink and nude polishes. With eight shades to choose from, former doubters like myself have a greater chance of finding something to please their eye.

And now for the fun part: We have the full Crackle line to give away to a lucky reader, plus assorted shades from the other lines, including but certainly not limited to, the shades swatched here.

GIVEAWAY:

Post a comment below telling us your go-to summertime polish shade for a chance to win enough nail polish to take you well into the fall. And be sure to give us a LIKE on Facebook (winner will be chosen by Friday, July 1st – US only please).

The polishes retail between $2.99 and $6 at drugstores across the country.

– Katharine McKenzie