Champagne Wishes and Caviar Nails

{Ciaté Caviar Manicure in Mother of Pearl, $25}

For the past month, I've basically done nothing but sit and wait for the Ciaté Caviar manicure kit to hit stores. It's priorities like these that have me pretty convinced I'm next in line for the Humanitarian of The Year award. But look, whatever. The point is, the hottest trend emerging from the A/W 2012 NYFW runways wasn't actually an item of clothing--it was these caviar nails.

 European nail polish brand Ciaté has put all the pieces you need to recreate the look at home in one kit, replete with the "caviar" beads themselves:

...and the corresponding base color:

...who could forget the adorable-albeit-over-the-top miniature bow adorning each bottle???

 ...and even this small funnel and tray to recollect the tiny beads post-manicure:

The manicure itself is pretty easy, given the kit comes with instructions, but in case it seems to elude you, first apply the base color. One coat, then a second. While it's wet, hold your finger over the tray, then pour the beads onto the nail, and gently press the beads into the paint to help them stick. 

When you're done, pour the beads back into the bottle, using the funnel and tray. 

I only did one nail because I'd read that the beads start to fall off almost immediately and don't really last for more than a day or so. To that I'm happy to inform you that it's entirely true! But look, like I said earlier, whatever.

I mean, I'm going to work tomorrow, not the reunion show of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4. Although, dammit, that sounds amazing.

 So, in the end I just swiped on a complementary shade of slightly sparkly lavender. Cue obligatory "holding the nail polish bottle" pictures:

For what it's worth, I actually kinda love the caviar nails. I mean, yes, absolutely, this is not meant to be worn for days on end, so if you're the kind of person who lets their nail polish chip off in a slow, slow death like that of a Midwestern crack whore, then yeah, maybe this isn't the look for you, but if you have a special event and want to look fucking awesome, then go for it!

Anyone else tried out the caviar manicure? What do you think??