Something about choosing to wear coral during the summer seemed painfully typical. Is it just me, or is there an unspoken Nail Code that says: if you truly love nail polish, avoid all shades of reds, pinks, and corals (and nudes and sheers) or you shall be lumped with the varnish-unenlightened commoners?
It might be because we now have access to so many different hues of all sorts of different textures and finishes that, if you choose a classic red, a bubblegum pink, or a coral or a nude (or, god forbid, you want to enhance your natural nails with just a top coat!), your fellow nail lovers wonder precisely why you chose that instead of the shimmery taupe-purple quadruple-chrome linear holographic option with octagonal glitter and 24k gold flakes.
But of course, we can wear what we like. Even with glitters and shimmers galore, my favorites are simple, solid crèmes. Oddball colors make my heart palpitate, but even I was tiring of my “rebellious” choices. Is it such a crime to paint a “common” color, available at every brand? Does a pair of classic black pumps suddenly become moot in the world of embellished Louboutins and Blahniks? No.
And looked at it another way, it almost feels oddly rebellious to wear a “typical” shade in a sea of 3D gel tips and glittering accent nails. There’s nothing boring about red hot nails and Barbie pinks — they undoubtedly make a bold statement on immaculately manicured hands, don’t they?
…Which brings me to these coral digits. SEPHORA by OPI I’m Wired is an electric salmon-pink. Or is it? Subdued in the bottle, it deepens into a shocking coral that leans pink in natural light, but definitively orange under warm artificial light. It’s a typical shade, all right, with a slight kick of its almost-neon presence. I’m wearing OPI On Collins Ave on my toes, which is also a coral, but appears red next to I’m Wired.
I’ve been reaching for nothing but my favorite blues and purples that it’s a shame not to explore, even if it meant going back to the tried-and-true crowd pleasers. I’m Wired brings a smile to my face whenever I’d (often) glance at my hands, not because it’s a particularly unique color (though it certainly is bright as far as this type of shade goes) or a particularly impressive formula (streaky first coat, thankfully opaque on the second) but because it reminds me precisely of what it typically does — of sunny, bright summer days.
Do you normally find yourself avoiding “typical” nail colors? If so, why not join me in sporting a classic shade? 
I’d love to hear your favorites.
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No, I don’t have giant hands — this is a mini bottle which came in the SEPHORA by OPI Life’s a Beach nail kit.
