I have been an Olive & June customer since March 2021 and an Olive & June ambassador for just over a year. I LOVE the polish so much. My code ELISEC20 saves you 20% off a mani or pedi system. Links in this post are affiliate which means if you make a purchase through them, I receive a commission on the sale. As always, all opinions are my own.
So first... what makes this polish so great? My favorite part is that it's incredibly long lasting. I can usually go 8 days without a single chip. That's a big deal! The application matters though! O&J recommends using polish remover right before applying polish in order to fully clean and prep the nails. I then use a primer before applying two light coats of polish. Then a top coat! For awhile I was doing two top coats but found that isn't necessary (though it doesn't hurt if midway through a manicure you apply another top coat).
The process takes about an hour including dry time. I used to think "I don't have time for that." But over the past year, my perspective has shifted a lot. I have realized that painting my nails is my number one "stress-loop closure activity." It's a time when I sit down. It's a time when my brain and body can both relax into stillness. For this hour, there is nothing to do. (If this sounds boring, I hear you. O&J launched a "quick-dry" polish this fall for times when you just need color on your nails; not a recharge session.)
When I remove my polish I do a lot of re-hydrating and I often go a few days between colors to give my nails a break. The nail care tools in this set are all a big part of my routine when I take off the polish on my hands and feet.
Olive & June sells polish separately and as part of a "system" which includes all the tools for an at home manicure or pedicure. The systems come with one or six polishes and you can pick what you'd like. As a customer, I started with the Mani System and six colors. Then later I purchased the Pedi System. Now as an ambassador I am gifted a lot of new polishes which is very fun. I have loved branching out from my standard few colors. Below are my "tried and true" polishes, my "new favorites" polishes and finally the essentials that I have bought over and over.
TRIED & TRUES
Obsessed -- this is the darkest I go; more maroon than brown. Perfect for fall and winter and what I wore in France last month.
CV -- perfect holiday red. I wear this all December.
Lava -- the best red/coral. I wear this all summer long.
Jam, Please -- I am in my purple phase and this is THE MOST fun punchy purple. Another great summer polish.
You're Invited -- my second favorite purple. Good for spring and summer.
LHG -- my favorite neutral.
NEW FAVORITES THIS YEAR
Sleeping Bag -- probably my most fun one? I would say it's unexpected but I met a friend for dinner in August and we were both wearing it so maybe it's exactly what to expect when you're a mom in your mid-thirties meeting a friend for dinner.
Bold & Unshaken -- purple but also blue. Just had this on and was surprised by how much I loved it.
Prairie -- wearing this right now! This is the only of the "quick dries" that has made it into my rotation so far and I love it. For sure a more muted purple. Good gateway to purple land for you skeptics.
Fierce & Loving -- this is the most pink I go! Great for spring and summer.
The Usual -- this is the color I painted my bedroom. I love it as a slightly more purple neutral.
Kiss Cam -- this red falls right between CV and Lava. Is it that different? YES. Honestly it might end up beating CV for me. I need to compare them next month.
ESSENTIALS THAT I BUY AGAIN AND AGAIN
These are the products that I use to keep my hands, feet and nails feeling good. A lot of these are available as sets or come with the systems but individual links are here: overnight hand treatment, cuticle remover, cuticle serum, foot serum, heel balm, nail polish remover, primer, top coat.
Again -- my code ELISEC20 saves you 20% on an O&J system. :)