Another Tragic Nail Polish Related Incident

[xie_xie_xie]

I come, trembling and wan, to report that I have been traumatized yet again by a Tragic Nail Polish Incident.

In what is becoming the recurrent theme of my existence, I was on my way out the door this morning to my job as a Girl Reporter when I noticed that my carefully pedicured toe peeking out from my purple suede sandal had a chip in its dark plummy red polish.

I went into the bathroom and carefully applied one drop of polish to the chip, admired my lovely shoes and toes, and cheerfully went on my way. I had no sense of impending doom.

As I got into my car, I noticed something dark on my shoe, and leaned down to brush away what I thought was a leaf.

Oh, dear fangirls! It was a blob of dark plummy red nail polish, now smeared over the bright purple suede of my shoes!

I had no time to change my shoes, so I had to go be a Girl Reporter all the while knowing that I had a dark smeary mark on my sandal. Oh. Oh. Oh. How I suffered inside.

After completing my Girl Reporter duties, I telephoned someone I knew would understand, firehead30  . "Oh, firehead!" I cried. "Please look up how to get nail polish out of suede on the Internets and tell me I have not ruined my shoes forever!"

Properly apalled, she immediately complied, but the news was not what one might hope when one has a smear of dark plummy red nail polish on one's favorite bright purple suede sandals. I heard the doubt and fear in her voice as she read it to me. "Take a gentle detergent and mix it in warm water until it's very foamy. Take just the foam and lightly work it into the polish. If this doesn't work, but only as a last resort, try using sandpaper."

After my Tragic Incident in Austin followed by the Tragic Dropping of the Nail Polish on the Slate Floor and not to ever forget the failed promises of Sally Hansen's Guaranteed Not To Chip Polish, I am beginning to feel about nail polish the way Brian feels about violin music and Justin feels about marinara sauce.

Excuse me while I gently cradle my shoes in my arms and cry myself to sleep.

Comments

[silent-seas.livejournal.com]

I am beginning to feel about nail polish the way Brian feels about violin music and Justin feels about marinara sauce.

*nods*

Someone spilled a huge splash of black paint on my favorite cream-colored walking shoes, once. I wished there had been a miniature force field around them to magically prevent such catastrophes.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

*cries for you*

*thinks about how that project we're working on, you know the super sekrit one, might cheer up both up*

[silent-seas.livejournal.com]

You're so right! :)

oh the horrors

[firehead30.livejournal.com]

Someone spilled a huge splash of black paint on my favorite cream-colored walking shoes, once. I wished there had been a miniature force field around them to magically prevent such catastrophes.

*pets you*
I have often wanted a force field around my prettyful shoes, specifically my dark red mary janes. Scientists and Shaman should really look into this important need.

Re: oh the horrors

[silent-seas.livejournal.com]

I agree, there should be intensive research on the protective force fields. No one needs to endure the pain of ruined leather.

Red shoes are the best. :D

[rosy5000.livejournal.com]

Awwww. :( As a fellow shoe lover, I empathize with you. *hugs and comfort*

So far, I haven't had any shoe polish damage to my shoes, but I have a VERY bad habit of scuffing the backs and heals on our cement steps to the porch.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

I'm liking silent_seas forcefield idea more and more each day.

[thegreyking.livejournal.com]

That is utterly horrible. It is so hard to come by a nice purple!


I won't buy suede shoes anymore. It may be the loveliest fabric, but the absolute fear I feel when wearing them makes it not worth it.


Good luck though, with the stain.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

I... I.... NO MORE SUEDE.

What is the point of having technology at all, if it cannot protect the SHOES???

[bodleian.livejournal.com]

Words cannot express enough, Xie. All we can do is listen and sympathize. Our thoughts are with you.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts in my time of suffering.

[lit-writergirl.livejournal.com]

From one shoe!slut to another I feel your pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the purple suede.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

My shoes lifted their straps up for a moment as they felt the healing energy you sent...

[lit-writergirl.livejournal.com]

I only wish I could send enough healing power to completely resucitate them.

[testdog65.livejournal.com]

How tragic. I really feel for you. :(

I’ve actually used sandpaper on suede before – not to take off nail polish, but just to improve the appearance of tired old suede. Worked like a charm. But, you have to be very gentle with the sandpaper so as not to completely remove the suede. Not sure how that will translate into removing the polish.

Also, if nothing else has worked and you’re ready to toss the shoes *shudders* try this first: Get some non-acetone polish remover and dilute with water. Use a Q-tip that’s only slightly dampened with the remover solution to gently dab at the polish stain. Change Q-tips often so the polish doesn’t smear into a bigger spot. Be patient and keep working at it. Once done, go back over the area with the detergent mix to remove any left over remover solution. I say use this as a LAST RESORT, because this has the potential to remove the suede color as well, and if it doesn’t work, there’s no saving the shoes after the attempt.

Good luck. I hope it works out. Also if, sadly, the shoes have to go to shoe heaven, you know that you’re required to buy five new pairs to replace them, right?

~Ellen

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

*sobs*

That phrase kills me, Ellen.... "last resort."

cries bitter tears, lights candles, prays fervently

[firehead30.livejournal.com]

I have completed my vigil to Paolo, Kenneth Cole, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and Marc Jacobs....all is in the hands of the shoe gods now.

Ellen gives very good advice. But remember, blot, don't rub.

*holds you in your time of need*

Re: cries bitter tears, lights candles, prays fervently

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

It's good to have the support of my loved ones at times like this.

[singlewoman.livejournal.com]

Oh I am so sorry about the shoes. Hopefully the good advice that has been given here will work and your lovely purple sandals will grace your feet again.

Keep us posted.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

Keep us posted.

Oh, I will... the pain is too great to bear alone!

[rebeccama.livejournal.com]

Well, at least Firehead had some advice. I can't tell from the post if it worked or if you haven't tried it yet.
{{{hugs}}}
How are Rebel and the Pretty Princess?

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

I haven't tried it yet! The dogs don't understand, they are color blind...

[plasticine-star.livejournal.com]

Oh Xie, that really is a tragedy!

But I do have a tip for getting it off...
Go to the paint department at Lowe's or Home Depot and get some stuff called Goof Off or even better Goof off 2 (water based), that stuff takes off grease, tar, ink, bubble gum. I've used it on a suede couch when my little cousin used some red lipstick to draw on it and this stuff worked.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

EXCELLENT idea, I'll try it! Thank you!

[flashfly.livejournal.com]

Sandpaper sounds serious. Good luck.

[xie-xie-xie.livejournal.com]

I know, hurting my shoes with sandpaper!!!!!!!! How can I bear that?

[flashfly.livejournal.com]

You must be strong like Justin.

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

SANDPAPER?????
OMG, have you recovered?

Have you ever tried China Glaze nail polish? I find it lasts for WEEKS & WEEKS on my toes! This stuff is amazing.