Jin Soon A La Mode Collection

If Jin Soon Choi is the Jay-Z of nails, then this year is surely her 1996 because she’s FINALLY dropped her maiden nail polish collection voyage on the universe and it is cray (in a good way), to use the parlance of Jay. And in the parlance of me, it’s JINIUS.

My favorite nail polish collection EVER was the collaboration Jin Soon did with MAC Cosmetics a few years ago. Cool Reserve is still my go-to purple-grey hybrid. Her A La Mode Collection echoes the deep, rich cremes of that range in high-fashion hues. As Jin Soon says, “Nail art and studs and glitter is NOT high-fashion, in my opinion. It’s just popular.” The A La Mode line boasts six on-trend, seasonal shades named by top runway models.

Austere (dark olive, named by Caroline Trenti)
Charade (teal, named by Hyoni Kang)
Rhapsody (dark grey-blue, named by Coco Rocha)
Debonair (dark purple, named by Karlie Kloss)
Auspicious (dirty grey-lavender, named by Jamie Bochert)
Metaphor (dark green, named by Guinevere Van Seenus)

Decision 2012 happened when I had to choose between Auspicious or a red (Coquette) from the Quintessentials Collection. Behold:

Jin Soon Quintessential Collection

Coquette (true red)
Audacity (deep wine)
Risque (black red)
Nostalgia (pink beige)
Muse (sheer pink)
Tulle (sheer nude)

These six timeless shades are classic and are a foundation of any nail enthusiast’s collection. Both collections are parallel universe levels of GLOSSY, thanks to their gel polish technology (though they’re still standard lacquers–no curing going on here). Jin’s also created a sick base coat called Power Coat that’s strengthening, which she says helps the polish to adhere and last longer. Naturally, she’s also got a top coat that helps the polish gleam like the top of the Chrysler Building called Top Gloss. All the polishes are 5-free, as well, not just 3-free. I’m so excited for Jin Soon. She’s truly the nicest woman in the business and has spent years cultivating her talent featured on many a magazine page and editorial feature. When I was at her salon this week enjoying a mani pedi with Coquette for the launch, I was telling her about a date I was going on with a dude who wouldn’t tell me his age (seriously) and how I was freaking out that he was, like, 22. “Get younger,” Jin Soon called to me, when I left with glossy tips and toes. How hilarious is she?

Get involved with the JINsoon Nail Polishes, each $18 at spacenk.com and sephora.com in late August.