Tom Ford Nail Polish, "Mink Brule"

I loved this color even in Bergdorf’s poor lighting, and was really surprised to discover after applying it home that it’s my perfect nude.  In my search for a good nude color, I only looked at colors with yellow undertones, totally underestimating the amount of red in my skin.  It’s hard to describe this color -  it's a dusty pink with slightest hint of brown.

I’ve worn this polish twice.  The first time I used Deborah Lippmann’s Rehydrating Base Coat, two coats of polish, and Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.  I failed to take photos of that application, but the ridges of my nails didn’t show through as they do in these photos.  The mani lasted a week, with only minor wear on the tips and no shrinkage.  I used a-england base coat in the photos you see here, two coats of polish and Dior Top Coat.  I switched base and top coats because I’m out of the Lippmann base coat, and my bottle of Seche Vite contains some red polish, probably picked up from the last time I applied it over Chanel Dragon.

Color love aside, the formula leaves a lot to be desired, especially at a $30 price point.  During both applications, despite different base coats, the polish streaked and required two carefully applied coats to smooth out.  The brush is short so doesn’t hold as much polish as longer ones do, making it almost impossible to apply to the length long nails in one sweep, which compounds the problem.  The thickness of Seche Vite evened out remaining streaks.  The Dior topcoat, which is thinner, could not.  

It's Office Friendly!

Tom Ford Nail Polish is available at selected Neiman Marcus and Saks stores, Bergdorf Goodman, and online. 

I haven’t tried the second color I bought and realize that this tendency to streak may be an isolated incident, as batches may vary.  What has your experience been?