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Runway or Everyday? – butter LONDON’s Nail Polish Rings at Vena Cava

Last season we saw nails elevated from accessories to full on jewelry at Diego Binetti. This season at Vena Cava, butter LONDON‘s Nonie Creme is pushing the boundaries, bringing nail polish to a whole new territory; skin.  That’s right, she’s taking over “real estate” from the skin and by creating jewelry with nail polish applied directly on fingers.

Nail art savant Melissa from The Daily Nail has extended her designs on to the skin in the past but this is the first time I’ve seen the actual nails ignored entirely.  Nonie applied “finger bands” of color to two fingers on each model, some single, some double, and a simple coat of clear Hard Wear top coat to the nails.

To replicate the look follow Nonie’s tips: Start with clean, dry skin.  Swipe with remover.  Start below the first knuckle.  Only paint a few fingers or else it will look too tribal. Allow 15 minutes to dry and expect 24 hours of wear.

Get the Vena Cava look using butter LONDON Royal Navy, Scoundrel, Tramp Stamp, and Union Jack Black. The orange, Flouro Orange, is not yet in production.  butter LONDON polishes retail for $14/ea and are available online at butterLONDON.com and Beauty.com.

My question to you is… is this look runway only or something that could be worn in the everyday world?  Would you apply nail polish on your skin on purpose?  What do you think of the “finger bands” look?

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There Are 74 Brilliant Comments

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  1. Hannah says:

    Hmmm, I’m not sure about this for everyday. I get it for the runway but with many things like this the everyday people you are with don’t ‘get it’ If I wore it to work, I would get so many people asking me what I was doing it would bug me. When I did some nail art on my ring fingers people just asked me if I couldn’t be bothered to do my whole hand. Until it’s in a magazine or seen as trendy it won’t be mainstream enough for the everyday world!

  2. jill says:

    oh heavens, it’s hard to find something different, something that hasn’t been done before.

    what to say…??!!

  3. Lis says:

    tough question… i love the look but i’m not so sure about whether i’d want it for myself too.. but maybe i’ll try it! :D

  4. Amanda H says:

    I need to win something for my birthday ;)
    fashion wk = better than my birthday!

  5. Sarah says:

    It’s an interesting look, but it kind of makes me think of something we might have done in high school when we were bored during a movie in English class.

    • Lara says:

      ha! I was just thinking that. When I used to get bored in high school I’d draw all over my hands, making fake rings or ivy leaves or whatnot…

  6. Rea says:

    Well, seriously – NEVER. It’s nail polish, man! NAIL polish! Also it’s so unhealthy, I guess there’s a reason for nail polish not to be supposed to be drunk, applied on skin, etc. … well, apart from that the look is okay – I wouldn’t wear it so, it just reminds me somewhat of tribal, gang wars and other “fun” stuff. lol

  7. Barbara says:

    I definitely suppose it could be an everyday look for certain people, just not for me though. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable painting my own skin. I don’t like the feeling of having nailpolish on my skin, even if it just happened accidently. Besides, I prefer the look of “real” rings.

    xoxo

  8. Tina says:

    I think this is just horrible. I would never ever wear nail polish on my skin on purpose. I like how it looks but this is so unhealthy… It is bad enough with all the other poisonous things in our life but this is just… Playing with health. Maybe if it was a safe color or if it was somehow protected but i doubt it is possible.
    So a big no from me.

  9. Zara says:

    It’s so hard for me to think of nail polish on my skin as anything but messy application…and then there’s the fact that it’s got all sorts of chemicals that aren’t supposed to be on your skin! Also, what if the polish stained your skin like it can stain nails? Not cute!

  10. LMAO NO! This is making me laugh so hard right now…like every time I scroll back up and see the model, I start laughing again. Why would anyone do this in normal life?! It’s such a waste of polish.

    I mean…I know that it’s hard to think of stuff that hasn’t been done before and everyone wants to be all special and stuff, but like…seriously, now? Ahahaha omg, noooo.

  11. Cincly says:

    Hmmm looks rather funky from a distance but up close like a teenager has gone a bit crazy with the highlighters :P Would probably try it once, but not for everday.

  12. stephanie says:

    ehh i think it looks sloppy and almost teenybopperish…like you’re trying too hard to stand out and be “unique”. and i agree with the health issues too. this look, to me, is definitely a big no!

  13. Zemlet says:

    I saw the video of this on YouTube yesterday and did these on myself immediately. I think this is going to spread like wildfire because it is so easy and looks so cool. Like temporary tattoos or jewelry. Loving it!

  14. Victoria Folino says:

    Um….yeah, i’m gonna have to say runway-only. I’m pretty open when it comes to nail polish designs, but this is too off. Nail polish is called nail polish for a reason…it’s POLISH for NAILS, not rings for fingers.

  15. vinery says:

    Strctly for teenagers, but for that age group- a fun look!

  16. Duffi says:

    Runway only, IMO. Not for everyday wear.

  17. Sl 33 says:

    I love the look, but is it safe for you :/

  18. HAT says:

    Looks like a bored teenager playing with nail polish like Sarah said. Yes, it looks cheap and silly to me. You could get the effect more effectively with some plastic/rubber kids rings out of a gumball machine. And the wear would be less than 24 hours anyway if you wash your hands more than once, nevermind the paint flaking into your food or onto your clothes. Ick all around.

  19. Polarbelle says:

    It’s fine to shake things up for fashion week, but not for real life application. It wouldn’t last well, might even be itchy, and I thi k it would look stupid, to be blunt. Jewelry is more fun than drawing a polish band. And really, most people cant draw a straight line, so they’d have to do squiggles or something. And, anyway, most looks in fashion week don’t make it to the mainstream, so it’s just another quirky fashion week thing.

  20. Rachel says:

    I used dance and lost a lot of toenails. I used to paint on the skin so I looked slightly less deformed.

  21. Christina says:

    Why not just buy rings? This seems a bit silly.

  22. Kristina says:

    I might’ve done something like this when I was 13, but probably not! I guess it’s OK for the runway….actually, I could see teenagers painting their fingers like this. Would it really be that unheard of? Although, I’m thinking that this wouldn’t fly in corporate America. LOL.

  23. Luka says:

    I hate to be negative but I think it looks silly even for the runway.

  24. Violet says:

    Definitely runway only in my opinion.

  25. Krishji says:

    I bet keeping polish around your fingers is uncomfortable and I would itch it right off. But I do like how it looks!

  26. I’m really not into this, not even on the runway. I do not like the way this looks at all, atleast from a distance it won’t look like nail polish, but as soon as you get close it would just look weird and sloppy.

  27. sparris says:

    No, sorry, this doesn’t look runway as much as kindergarten.

  28. Andrea says:

    This is definately unique. Kind of interesting. I, personally, wouldn’t wear it, but I think it’s somewhat neat in general. I guess I’m on the fence.

    It’s hard to believe that someone could get 24 hours of wear out of it. Polish comes off of skin so easily.

  29. Rory says:

    The look is okay. I don’t know if it’s something I’d do. However, I don’t know why they’re doing it with nail polish. There’s a whole world of other cosmetics out there that will come in the same colors, with the same wear time, and give the same effect. Nail polish on skin sounds like it would cause irritation.

  30. NailPolishFan says:

    I think it’s fine for the runway. But my question is can anyone notice it while it’s on the runway? But for an everyday look I wouldn’t wear it. I wouldn’t apply nail polish on my skin on purpose, but nail polish does get on the skin around my nails when I paint them; but that’s it. I think the finger bands look is good for the runway/magazines only because alot of things that are in the magazines and runways are looks that are used to express a particular designer’s creative art look.

  31. keri says:

    This reminds me of something I’d do with a crayola marker while bored in primary school. No thanks.

  32. Jeanie says:

    I LOVE THIS LOOK.

    I don’t know why, but it really strikes a chord with me. It’s completely unexpected and different…. I am going to try this out :)

    Thanks for blogging about it!

  33. Kimberly says:

    I can see how this look would be interesting and different. However, I would use something other than nail polish. I’ve seen tattoo ‘pencils’ and that would have some lasting power. I’d do a ring like this just for kicks.

  34. Grace says:

    Really?… really? so unhealthy? Judging from how paranoid people get about chemicals, you would think from working with the things I do in laboratory research for the past 6 years I would be dead, ill or have some sort of horrible cancer by now. Nothing currently in nail polishes is THAT bad to apply to your skin – yeah, you shouldn’t huff it or drink it… but lets just say this, if it’s dangerous to have on your skin it’s dangerous to have on your nails. Worst thing that might happen, assuming you’re not allergic, is your skin might dry out.

    Anyways, I like this look fairly well… it seems more like something for going out verses day to day wear. I might do it some weekend :)

  35. Rachel says:

    For the runway, sure. Not for me, though!

  36. Sharon says:

    Sorry but I don’t get it. This is not something I would even consider wearing.

  37. Melissa says:

    Sorry, this doesn’t do it for me at all. I don’t even think I like it for the runway. To me, this looks like something my drama queen niece would do in detention hall. And I am not sure how well it would wear in the real world, once it started cracking or peeling, I don’t think it would be very attractive. Once again, sorry! But not for me.

  38. Holly says:

    I think this is so awesome. I would definitely rock it. I don’t know why I like it so much, I just do. I hope this catches on even ever so slightly. There are so many “unhealthy” things in this world, I think I could take this risk.

  39. Medali says:

    I don’t think I would do that. It looks fine on the runway but not meant for everyday wear.

  40. Drea says:

    i would totally do it but i’d be afraid about my skin absorbing the chemicals.

  41. Diane says:

    I think it looks tacky, personally. Like Sarah mentioned above, something bored high-schoolers would do.

    Also I can’t imagine 24 hours of wear. Even if I get a bit of polish on my cuticle and don’t manage to clean it off properly, it comes right off as soon as I shower and wash my hair.

  42. Apriltini says:

    I think it’s rather trashy looking, and I wouldn’t do it.

  43. Briana says:

    I agree with those before me, it looks like something I might have done while bored in math class, like when we used white out on our nails.
    I get it for the runway with the right collection and if you were a real life Carrie Bradshaw who had that fashionista lifestyle and were around a lot of people who got it then maybe, but for me going to the supermarket and picking the kids up from school theres no way

  44. Rachel says:

    Wow, this is definitely not for me. I don’t like it at all. I agree with the previous comments–trashy-looking, very teen-aged. Not for the mature.

  45. Sirena says:

    I’m sad, because I love British Racing Green and Marrow so much. I was looking forward to another awesome color! This is not a look I would do in nail polish, but maybe bold colored simple rings?

  46. Leone says:

    Definitely not for everyday world. I could see some really young chick wearing this for a night of partying. It isn’t the classiest of looks, but I sort of like it…it’s fun.

  47. fuwari says:

    LOL A big no from me as well.

  48. Regina says:

    That’s a waste of perfectly good polish!

  49. Shannan says:

    I don’t care for this look at all. I prefer actual rings as aposed to polish. It looks like something you do when your bored in class.

  50. Shannan says:

    I don’t care for this look at all. I prefer actual rings as aposed to polish. It looks like something you do when your bored in class.

  51. Adeline says:

    not a chance for everyday look…won’t it wash off after you take a shower or wash your hands?
    i wouldn’t want the chemicals on my skin either, might as well draw some bands with sharpies :D

    • Marcela says:

      brilliant idea! LOL i actually like the finger bands if they weren’t so messy. maybe using masking tape and colored sharpies will give similar/sharper results! i’m known for doodling on my hands and forarms, wearing lots of rings and crazy-colored nails so i’m gonna try colored finger bands.

  52. Reason says:

    That model looks like one hot mess, obviously through no fault of her own. I don’t like the look, but it frustrates me that anyone would apply nail polish directly to someone’s skin on purpose. Why not just make all models toxic swamps in the name of fashion. As super-pale skin becomes even more popular, who is to stop anyone from sneaking in arsenic and lead on faces again. Even if butterLONDON products are supposed to be made without the three most toxic ingredients, I still say yuck.

    • kirsten says:

      Don’t hate on super pale skin. We’ve had to tolerate people acting like those with pale skin are all freaks just because we embrace our natural skin tone instead of trying to turn ourselves orange for the last 20 years or more so many of us are ecstatic to see natural pale skin becoming not only more accepted, but popular as well. You say it like its a bad thing for super pale skin to become more popular which frankly baffles me. Any time the world starts to embrace a more natural appearance in any way is a step in the right direction.

        • Ana says:

          Being a super pale freckled gal, I don’t see anything hateful in Reasons comment. They weren’t making a comment on paleness, but rather a comment on the products people use to look more pale and what ingredients may or may not be used in those products. Same as people saying things about “fake-baking” giving you cancer or nail polish being a “toxic swamp” on your skin. I hope we all know its not the healthiest idea, but we all make sacrifices for what we as individuals consider beautiful. You may not like it, but who gives a crap? it’s their body and their vision of beauty! And to conclude my rant I think the nail polish bands look neat, though I would never do it. Imagine crunchy dried nail polish on your skin… sounds kinda uncomfortable to me lol!

  53. Erin says:

    No way! Not for me any day? I’ve never seen this and I hope it’s not a trend. I love nails and love polish. Put it where it belongs !

  54. Heather says:

    I freaking love this look! This will soon be incorporated into my party looks. I’m much too frugal and uncoordinated to spend exorbitant amounts of money on actual accessories I can’t seem to put together appropriately, but a simple flash of color will be perfect. As much as I love this, I won’t wear it to the office.

  55. Lauren says:

    This is ridiculous even for runway! I saw this on their facebook page last week and I felt embarrassed for them. They’re really trying too hard. They’re not even straight lines. It’s sloppy and weird.

  56. Hollie says:

    Definitely a runway look only. The polish would come off the skin within a day.

  57. ach167 says:

    I think it most certainly could work with the boho trend going on. I would say occasionally for like a concert or something where you can get away with being a little eccentric. It def wouldn’t work for a day at the office. However it does feel a little bit like when I was 14 and bored in my room…

  58. Susan says:

    I think this looks absolutely ridiculous, on or off the runway. Very sloppy. Maybe a few teen punk rockers could pull it off, but I can’t imagine anyone else wearing it.

  59. Kellie says:

    seems silly. but, because it was on the runway, I’m sure it’ll be the new “spring/summer” look and some trendy brand will come out with a polish JUST for this purpose.

  60. Laura says:

    Honestly? I love this! Unfortunately, I think it will only work for models at FW, party gals, and teenagers. Oh, to be 10 years younger.

  61. Rachel L. says:

    Whoa…WACKY! I can honestly say, I am way too chickens**t to attempt to rock this look in the real world. But hey, there’s one way to use up the umpteen polishes we really never wear!

  62. goodgod! says:

    This is some tacky ish. You know whos gonna do this? 11 year olds.

  63. LO says:

    Tried it. Rubbed off after 2 hours. thinner application areas I had to remove with acetone. Ok I get it…it’s that sloppy claire danes in “my so called life” feel. But I think that orange is even uglier then the properly named minger they already have. Bottom line I think it just looks dorky. Like the lame girl in the 8th grade circa 1995, not the chic minimalist kate moss look I prefer. I would have rather they just painted all the girls in la moss or tea with the queen. the vena cava customer is smart and cultured, not young and still learning not to put silly shoe laces in their doc boots. this look would pair better with a my little pony mini backpack and some raver beads.

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