Duane - You make some good points and it is nice to have a male weigh in. I think you represent a lot of guys who prefer to see women looking natural. My DH's reaction to my vibrant polish was, "Whoa! You have girl toes!" From what I've gleaned from the posts on this forum, more women here would prefer a good chef's knife to an expensive designer bag and spend more time making breads and jams than fussing with elaborate beauty regimes. I think this post got so many replies because it is timely - it's summer, meaning for most of us our toes are just coming out of hiding - and it's just fun to hear about what other women do. I wrote about my DD who finds it relaxing to give herself a weekly pedicure. Fact is, other than that, sunscreen and lip gloss are the only "makeup" she wears. I think many of us perform some of these beauty routines less to impress men, but as a little indulgence.

I only like the barest hint of color, too, for my fingers, and suggest you do only ONE COAT of whichever light, natural color you choose. (I also do a clear base and top coat with the one coat of color.) If you go with two coats of even the really natural colors, it's more opaque. I just saw Essie and OPI polishes at TJ Maxx the other day for only $3.99 each. Not sure if they are past their prime or what, but if I just wanted to do a few polishes this summer, I would probably give them a try.

Finally the "out the door" arrived! The OPI is strong, but not shiny. It also takes a long time to cure/dry. Out the Door dried very quickly when I applied a top coat last night on top of the OPI. I'll get my nails done on Thursday and use it instead of the OPI and see how it holds up.

TG's nails look fine because they are still proud of the finger tip, but this look is one I don't find attractive, even though they are clean and someone has taken time for a manicure. The color just calls attention to the short nails and 'naked' fingertips. When I look at this pic, I can feel that sensation I get when I break a nail to the quick, and something touches the sensitive part. Probably the same way my DD (and rob333) feels when someone touches her feet. I have similar reaction when I see a person with long fingernails (or toenails) that curl around. I always wonder how that works in the bathroom. Ew. While searching for the above pic, I found these--I'm sure I would do myself great harm with such a manicure: