Breaking Up (Temporarily) with Acrylics

For years—literally years—I have been in a committed relationship with acrylic almond-shaped nails in the perfect shade of French pink. Reliable, chic, and effortlessly put together, they’ve been my signature, my beauty constant, my non-negotiable. But, as with any long-term relationship, sometimes you need a little space to reassess, breathe, and, in this case, let your actual nails remember what fresh air feels like.

So, after giving my nails a break (a brief but necessary hiatus), I’ve decided to shake things up. Enter BIAB—Builder in a Bottle. If you’re unfamiliar, BIAB is like a strengthening serum and a gel manicure had a very responsible baby. It adds structure and durability without the weight and commitment of acrylics. And while I’m at it, I’m also making a slight shift in my colour palette.

The New Era: OPI Bubble Bath & Sweetheart

Let me reassure you dear reader - I’m not suddenly going all minimalist with bare, short nails and a newfound passion for neutral linen outfits (although, no judgment if that’s your vibe). I still want the polished, put-together look that my acrylics gave me. I just want a touch more flexibility and a finish that whispers effortless chic rather than rigid perfection.

I’m starting with two OPI classics:

Bubble Bath – the sheer, soft pink that gives you that healthy, natural nail glow, and Sweetheart – a creamy, milky pink with just enough warmth to feel feminine but not too stark.

The goal? A clean, classic aesthetic that still feels fresh. I’m sticking with my almond-esque shape—because, let’s be real, it chips less than any other shape, and I do not have time to be dealing with uneven nails every three days.

Now, if you know me, you know I refuse to be boring. I might be leaning into a softer, more natural look, but I’ll always need a little bit of pizzazz—something that makes the look feel elevated. Maybe it’s a glossy topcoat that catches the light just right, maybe a subtle chrome finish, or maybe even a tiny, strategically placed accent (a single pearl, a micro-French tip, something barely noticeable but there).

I want that clean girl aesthetic without looking like I’ve joined a witness protection program.

So, consider this my BIAB initiation. Will I go crawling back to my acrylics? Maybe. But for now, I’m looking forward to embracing the softer, slightly more low-maintenance life—without sacrificing the feeling of having my hands look polished, expensive, and ready to take on the world one aggressive email at a time.

Not pictured: my actual hand! Image via OPI of colour ‘Bubble Bath.’