The Lure of Nail Polish

Think of the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Ever imagine a nail polish version of that? A nail color that creates a wonderland, like floating on a coral-colored stream. 

For those moonstruck about nail polishes, prepare to compare. Not necessarily nail art, like crazy flowery drawings on fake nails, but simple nail colors that coat thin, brittle nails and brighten a mood.

Essie nail polish has been around since 1981 but in recent years the company has become well-known. The unique color range and packaging gives the impression that the company is targeting a niche market at first, but it doesn’t seem necessary anymore since Essie successfully transformed the brand into a leading trend. 

Summer is right around the corner. Essie updated its color wheel with six bright colors: urban jungle; fierce, no fear; roarrrrange; strut your stuff; ruffles and feathers; and haute in the heat. Although "urban jungle" and "fierce, no fear" are two neutral colors, they match perfectly with the colorful summer wardrobe.  

Essie's color spectrum feeds anyone's color fantasy. When they are lined in color order, it's hard to resist not buying them. The appealing image draws out the inside artists of people. 

The most unforgettable ones are the creamy and fresh colors. No matter what is placed next to them, Essie stands out and attracts attention. It’s so unique that consumers shouldn't hesitate before they are sold out.

When you apply Essie it’s like putting icing over a cake and smoothing it out with a spatula. The quirky colors even remind you of food, like a piece of green tea mille crepe.  

Besides color, the packaging is another key. The bottles are small, glassy, and simple. While most other nail polishes have black handles, Essie uses white and turns messy applications into a neat fantasy. with no distraction, the packaging helped to display the nail polish elegantly.

The bottles are engraved with Essie's brand name and the bottle is slightly shorter than others. The cubic body adds cuteness to it. Together, it’s a fresh image that Essie created to emerge from other big brands. 

Anitateee posted on MakeupAlley, a makeup review site "The only polish I buy. I've noticed now after trying various brands that Essie polish is the best for me."

Beauty blogger, makeup artist and YouTuber Michelle Phan wrote on her blog about her favorite pastel polishes from Essie "My favorite shades are by Essie and even though they probably remind some people of a baby's nursery-I love them on my nails!"

Think about mascara, acne treatment, or tampons. One that works for you may not work for others. To me, nail polish is of a personal preference. Essie nail polishes are as cheap as other drug store brands but offer so much more.

Good color range makes you want to buy them, but good qualities encourage you to repurchase.

As a nail polish brand, the color variety is a must. However, the texture, consistency, long-lasting, chipping, and pigmentation are also elements that customers consider. Essie is top-notch in all these areas. Paint one coat of any Essie nail polish and top it off with some “good to go” drying coat, this will lasts at least two weeks without chipping. Because of the formula, one coat will do the job for pigmentation. Unless you want a darker shade, paint two coasts before applying the drying coat.

Since color is what Essie is known for, the company doesn’t carry other types of texture and brush. For beginners, it’s better to use a wider brush for a smoother application. Sally Hansen, for example, produces different kinds of brushes depends on the texture of nail polish. For those who are new to paint your own nails, Sally Hansen may be a better choice. It is also cheaper than Essie.

Recently, Essie caught lots of media attention. During the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 12, Cate Blanchett was wearing Essie’s nail color in “au naturel” to match her black lacey dress on red carpet. Also for fashion week in Feb, designer Alexander Wang chose “sand tropez” and “mademoiselle” from Essie to go along with his new clothing design.

Although Essie has gained much more press attention from magazines, fashions shows, beauty awards, and celebrities than other brands, it’s not the most outstanding in Earth-friendly advocates compare to ZOYA.

For 2014 Earth Day, ZOYA started the healthy nail polish movement. Besides producing toxin-free nail polishes, ZOYA enhances the concept by exchanging nail polishes. From the 22 to 28 of this month, you can purchase ZOYA nail polishes with 50 percent off. In return, you send back your old and out of style nail polishes. The company disposes these unwanted bottles in an eco-friendly manner.

At a glance:

Essie
What: Trendy brand of nail polish
Price range: $8-$10 per 0.5-ounce bottle
Where to buy: Major drugstores and Essie boutiques
Founder: Essie Weingarten
Parent company: Four years ago purchased by L'Oreal
Website: Essie.com

Flipped-class for nursing students

Set up with round tables in the Fireside Room, students were divided into four sub-groups for a flipped class experience.

On Monday, April. 14, the nursing program at LBCC had a taste of the flipped classroom, a new form of teaching where students come to class prepared and practice their knowledge with more hands-on work.

The subject was addictions and substance abuse. After a brief overview in the beginning, each group received different parts of class material.

The first group worked on scoring the dosage of drug with the CIWA system; the second group practiced acupuncture with Tawnya Dailey L. AC from Lebanon; the third group, learned about motivational interviewing to encourage patients once they are ready to change their behavior; and the fourth group, impaire with health-treating professional James Conway, MFT from Lake Oswego, studied the process when treating patients with addictions.

The instructor was no longer teaching and students were no longer taking notes. The classroom turned into a conversation-styled convention.

Unlike the old-fashion lecturing, students were able to share and communicate ideas with each other. When they meet difficulties, the instructor and professionals were there to answer their questions.

Sherrilyn Sytsma, faculty at LBCC nursing program, was surprised of students’ reactions. “I think it worked well to have people engage more. This is a powerful learning process since nursing is all about applying your knowledge and skills,” said Sytsma.   

However, the anonymous feedbacks from students showed a mixture of opinions.

“I enjoyed the day. It was eye opening and helped me understand that addiction is not a choice that people make and that it can happen to anyone. ”

“I feel like there was not enough time to reach great depth with any one subject, but I have a better overall understanding of treatments and assessments regarding addiction and addicts. ”

This new concept of learning provided opportunities for students to collaborate and had better understandings of book theories through practical work. In addition, it is important to preview before hand. The in-class work requires students to know the material well so that students will not feel lost during the process.

Sytsma thought this is a great way of extending the skill lab style into lectures, “Our skill lab within our curriculum is kind of like the flipped class philosophy. Students need to come to class prepared and they practice with instructions.” She always mentioned there will always be students learn better or worse in unconventional classes. So it’s good to have a mixed style of classes where they can learn in either way without lifting anyone out.

Students compete for nursing spots at LBCC

In recent years, the increasing applicants caused more competition to apply nursing program at LBCC. Many of them are strong candidates and it's difficult to distinguish them based on GPA. Experiences play the second important role for those who urge to get in.

Photo from LBCC web

Wendy Wong, who got in the program on the first time she applied, described her application process as exciting and patient. “I retook one anatomy physiology, and I volunteered for a few years within the community to strengthen my knowledge and skills. I worked as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistants) and I have my previous bachelor. On top of all these, I was excited to apply LBCC nursing program. Even though I was wait-listed, I waited patiently and eventually I got in,” she said.  

Wait list means a second chance. The admission takes a further step to consider the qualifications of wait-listed  applicants. This time, there were nine students in line and they were all accepted in the end. However, each year is different. In 2012, the program only accepted one wait-listed student.

“It is a very competitive program. When I applied LBCC, I didn’t get in the first year. My GPA wasn’t super high. So I decided to retake two of the three anatomy and physiology courses. Then I was more competitive, and got in the second time I applied,” said Eliza gar Side, a transferred student from Utah.

In addition to the high GPA requirements, LBCC nursing program also requires CNA (Certified Nursing Assistants) for admission. CNA defines people who are eligible to help licensed nurses in nursing care.

“Nursing is not an easy job," Wong said. "A lot of other programs don’t require this, and many students regret and struggle when they realize nursing is not what they want later on.”

Wong pointed out that the CNA acts as a filter so the rest of students stay for the right reasons, not just for money. Also, students who survived the CNA exam are more likely to be a nurse with their persistence. Competition also creates a more mature group of students, she said.

LBCC nursing program has the same high standards and quality like other colleges, but it costs much less.

Photo from LBCC web

There are three roads when students are approaching to be a registered nurse. A three-year diploma, a three-year associate degree, and a four-year baccalaureate degree. Graduates who accomplish any of the three programs are qualified to take the NCLEX, the National Council Licensure Examination.

LBCC nursing program is for students to earn an associate degree, but instead of three years, it is designed as a two-year associate degree program. This saves student time and it saves money.

“Our program is very competitive and intense, but this will prepare students for real jobs once they graduate,” said Sheryl Oakes Caddy, the department Chair of Nursing Program at LBCC. Caddy was proud to show the stats: the national rate of passing NCLEX dropped to 84 percent during 2011 to 2013, but the rate at LBCC increased to 94.61 percent.

LBCC nursing program has an articulation agreement with Linfield School of Nursing. This allows students to pursue Bachelor degrees or Masters of Science degrees with less transition difficulties.

For those who are looking for nursing jobs, Amanda Morris who work for the HR department of Samaritan Health Services advised “Start applying right away when you see an opportunity posted. Make sure your application is complete, and includes information relevant to the nursing position such as clinical experiences, certifications, or relevant courses you have taken above and beyond what is required for your program.”

Morris also suggested including work history that is not necessarily related to nursing. “Even though it may not be directly related, employers want to see what kind of work you have done and what other skills you may bring to the work space.”

At a glance:

LBCC Nursing Program
Website: www.linnbenton.edu/nursing

Admission: admissions@linnbenton.edu
Phone: 541-917-4811
Fax: 541-917-4868
Tuition: $65,000-$7,500
Application forms: https://www.linnbenton.edu/go/admission-forms-and-applications