Luxury Nail Polish: A Stellar Treat for Yourself

Whether you feel like you don't deserve it, can't fit it into your budget, or could spend money more wisely, it can be hard to treat yourself. I had been following boutique nail polish companies for a while after realizing that drugstore brands usually couldn't beat their formulas and colors. They typically apply evenly, last longer, and lack some of the harmful chemicals that other companies still add to their products. I quickly signed up for the newsletter of one of those companies, Starrily, although I didn't immediately take the plunge. But when I opened my email to see the announcement of their Planets Collection and a beautifully packaged Galaxy Edition Gift Set, I was more tempted than ever to try my first Starrily nail polish. As a space enthusiast and nail polish fan, I felt like this collection was personally made for me.

The gift set featured eight magnetic polish colors (Sorry, Pluto!) inspired by the planets. The Galaxy Edition polishes used a finer holographic pigment than the original Cosmic Edition, which was already unavailable when I discovered the brand. It wouldn't ship for weeks, but I knew I had to act quickly if I wanted to get my hands on one. However, spending $125 on nail polish seemed gratuitous, even if my collection cost many times more than that. Nevertheless, I was used to buying a bottle or two at a time and not spending so much in one go.

Was I Really Going to Splurge on... Nail Polish?

It's easy to talk yourself out of buying an unnecessary luxury, and nail polish will undoubtedly seem superfluous to some. As a freelance writer who works from home, I can't even pretend that I need to look polished on a daily basis. I also frequently remind myself that there are better things to spend on, and while that may be true, it will always be true. There will always be a way to better use or invest money. But there's value to treating yourself, too, and it's something I haven't done often.

I ultimately decided to splurge on myself and buy the gift set after reasoning that I was likely to spend that much money on nail polish over the next few months, anyway. I was simply opting to do it all at once—and on a limited edition product at that! I would even save money by buying the gift set, which included the necessary magnet and sticker, rather than purchasing the polishes separately. Plus, I would wear the polish regularly or with the magnetic effect, so it was like buying sixteen bottles of polish, not just eight.

It didn't hurt that I asked a friend whether I should give in and order the polish, and they decided to order it, too. It's an almost universal truth that humans are more likely to indulge in like-minded companies, and I am no exception to this rule. That my purchase supported a small company was only another compelling reason to treat myself.

The Galaxy Finally Arrives at My Doorstep

With my order placed, I had an excruciating wait before the package finally arrived at my doorstep. I checked my inbox frequently and stopped to look at photos of the nail polish and its packaging multiple times to remind myself what would soon be in my hands. Eventually, I was unwrapping it to see the themed box in my home. Each polish had its own space-themed box that nestled perfectly into an insert in the gift box. The presentation was as impressive in person as it seemed online.

After that, the hardest decision would be which color to use first. Would I adorn my nails with the blue-green of Earth, Mars red, the dark indigo of Neptune, or a different choice altogether? Truthfully, I don't remember which color I opted to try first, and I couldn't tell you whether I've used all the colors. I know that I switched back to regular polish after trying a few colors because using the magnet does require more time and effort than I always want to dedicate to painting my nails (which is precisely the reason I've meant to switch my current polish for nearly a week). But they're there whenever I want to.

Joining the Limited Edition Club

The planetary polishes continue to sit in their gift box, and I feel warm and appreciative whenever my gaze comes across it. I can't ignore the feel-good aspect of owning something nice, something that's not a necessity. It brings to mind all the freedom and privilege that let me make the purchase. For me, the attractiveness of the box and seeing the holographic polish shifting on my nails when the light strikes them make it almost doubly positive. Not only do I take nail polish with me when I wear it, but those who notice it may offer compliments on the color and, by extension, my taste. Having my nails done always makes me feel put together, and I immensely appreciate when others notice the effort, too.

Starrily still lists the gift box and individual polishes on its site—along with a newer green shade for poor, forgotten Pluto. However, everything aside from the magnet has been sold out for months. As far as I know, the company has no plans to bring them back, either. The opportunity to own these particular colors has passed unless someone is willing to part with and sell their polishes. I was lucky enough to snag the Planets Collection, but the product listings on the website remind everyone else of what they missed out on. By pre-ordering some nail polish, it's like I've joined a members-only club. I'm sure many nail polish lovers who missed out on the original Cosmic Edition quickly snatched up the Galaxy gift box when Starrily announced it to avoid missing out twice.

I have slowed buying nail polish after realizing how much I own, so I'm unlikely to buy a similar product again. But sometimes buying something unnecessary is one of those little joys that make life worth living.

Nicole Martinez is a freelance writer and sexuality educator with a passion for helping others live their best lives.