BY SANDY LEONG : Thursday, July 28, 2011
Never had spending $15 filled me with such anxiety.
What relatively minor purchase was causing me such angst? A visit to the nail salon, of course. I went to get my nails done and I was filled with insecurity when asked to pick a color. I stared blankly at the 100-plus shades of pinks, reds and corals, not to mention the trendier blacks, blues, greens and – gasp -- orange.
For the life of me, I was completely stymied. I kept looking for the perfect pink but wondering whether to go neutral in the new browns, tans or beiges. (Very popular right now.) After what seemed like hours -- actual time: 2 minutes -- I settled on an old favorite, Essie's Mademoiselle. Why? Because I fear commitment.
I wouldn't think twice about spending $15 on a T-shirt, even if it was a shocking neon color or a color I wouldn't normally wear, like turquoise. A $15 T-shirt I can take off and never wear again if I decide that turquoise is really not my shade. My $15 manicure? Hey, I'm stuck with – committed to! -- that color on my fingertips for an entire week. Constantly staring back at me. Mocking me, as if to say, "Who do you think you are trying to pull off blue? On your fingers, no less."
As I settled into my chair, I quickly glanced to my left to see which colors my fellow customers chose. Oooh, fuschia, or more precisely OPI's Big Hair....Big Nails. I like that one. Deep inhale...no, no, no. I'll stick with mine. On the other side of me? Orange, which really is the new black this season. Bold choice. Not for me.
I'm not this insecure in real life, just in my nail salon life. You know that the color looks different on your nails than it does in the bottle. Sometimes what I think will be a sheer healthy pinkish color turns out to be too opaque or chalky, making me look like I've lost all circulation in my fingers. Not to mention, it's spring. No more gloves or keeping your hands in your pockets to hide them.
Why is it that when I spend more money, my anxiety is so much less? Probably because when I do spend a significant amount on a single item, I make sure I really love it. New shoes, a fab handbag, special jewelry? I know immediately whether they will go with the other items in my closet -- or lift them out of last season. I know I'm buying it either because it's trendy right now or it’s something I'll wear forever.
You can’t wear nail color forever, nor do you want nail color that makes you cringe for the next seven days. So this week, I stuck to my favorite shade. I'm very pleased with my choice. Maybe next week I’ll pick up the orange…