The hidden polish community is a fascinating digital underground: all words, no voices, all hands, few faces. In a world of nuggles, with no inkling of the irresistible allure that something so innocuous as nail polish holds on the minds of ladies (and gentlemen!) all over the planet, it is a rare happening indeed to meet with another of this invisible, magical world. We, the nail fairies, or nairies, if you will, walk through the physical world hidden in plain sight, and reveal ourselves only in our digital kingdom to our fellow nairy passionistas. Oh, your nuggle friends are aware of (and baffled by) your ever-shifting, perfectly-painted nails, and might even, to their intense bewilderment, catch an occasional glimpse of one overflowing corner of your nail polish dynasty. I find it is always best that they never know the full extent, unless you have a fainting couch and smelling salts immediately near your stash. These dear nuggles are delicate creatures, you know.
But, once in a blue moon, a holographic blue moon (because, well, we're nail polish folk and cannot help ourselves), you might just be lucky enough to encounter another nairy in real life...
Until the day I met Courtney of 6 Harts Polish, I had never been so lucky, and, I suspect you will likely understand why that day I felt like I had actually found a unicorn. A craftsy, hug-loving, sweet-as-sugar Montana girl who is not merely nairy-literate, but so fully engrossed in The Obsession as to concoct her own lacquer magic...? It was kind of like looking into a mirror, or a dream.
An immensely warm, kind, darling dream mirror who gives really great hugs.
These lovely qualities of hers were really emphasized in this circumstance: after weeks of correspondence and anticipation, I was a full half hour late to our appointed meet-up. Thirty minutes! I dislike being late so I was absolutely horrified, and so ashamed that I wanted to sink into my own skin, but when I finally bounded, near panic-stricken, into our local riverside Bernice's Bakery, Courtney was so gracious beyond any expectation; all friendliness and warm welcome. You would just love her! The next half hour was revolutionary to me: words spoken that I had only ever seen typed (indie lacquer! Helmer stash! Elevation Polish!), sentiments reciprocated that had only ever evoked confusion in my nuggle friends (the unforgivable sin of a four-coat slow-drying crème polish, for example). This nairy world that I had been living in for almost four years now was finally a living and breathing entity, and it was all kinds of beautiful.
♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥
Speaking of beautiful, just look at this sparkling jewel of a polish that will be released next month! Courtney generously surprised me with this little sneak peek, which I am so very honored to share with you. When I first saw this gemstone lacquer I immediately assumed that it was inspired by our very own Treasure State, with its blue timbered mountains, endless sky, and royal blue state flag, but in fact was created for a movie-inspired polish maker's swap. However, when it comes to deep skies, I believe I can reasonably attest that we natives of Big Sky Country are something of an authority ;)
