#ManiMonday: My 2014 in Nails

2014 is coming to a close, and I think it's only fitting to do a wrapup post of sorts. And what's more apropos than a wrapup of all the nail polishes I tried, tested and loved this past year? Below, the colors and brands I absolutely loved during 2014. Some I featured on the blog, others were only seen on Instagram (be sure to follow me there if you aren't already for exclusive content!). You can even go further back in the future and check out my 2013 in Nails, too. And be sure to let me know your favorite nail polishes of the past year in the comments!

JANUARY

Rococo Dollar Molten Lava: Luckily I discovered this silver stunner early on in the year. What a perfect color for a night out on the town.

Essie Belugaria: This one definitely polarized my followers on Instagram. I happen to really love the chunky black glitter, but other people HATED it. What do you think?

Dolce & Gabbana Stromboli: While the name makes me think of the evil man in Pinocchio, the shimmery olive green hue definitely takes me to a happier place.

Chanel Frenzy: Looking for the perfect nude? Found it.

FEBRUARY

Zoya Magical PixieDust in Lux: Oh, Zoya. You've gone and stolen my heart with this glitter-encrusted pink polish, haven't you? (Yes. Yes you have.)

Jin Soon Voile: This springy purple made the grey Pittsburgh winter a little brighter.

MARCH

St. Patrick's Day Nail Art: I may not be Irish, but I loved my celebratory manicure with Zoya Opal over OPI Jade Is The New Black.

Deborah Lippmann Let's Go Crazy: The first time I tried this nail polish, I actually didn't see what was so special -- I couldn't get the glitter particles to show up on the nail. But adding a third coat a couple days later? Instant glittery goodness.

APRIL

Lacquer Queen Color Changing Nail Polish in Angel Baby: I'm a sucker for innovation, so this color changing nail polish had me at hello. (Luckily, it's equally gorgeous in both its pink and purple iterations.)

Essie Toggle To The Top: I'm a sucker for a beautiful, glittery red -- and this one made my heart flutter.

Marc Jacobs Lola: I may have originally bought this polish just because of the name, but I kept and loved it because of the glossy, rich tomato red hue.

MAY

RGB Cerulean: Nail polishes that become instant favorites? Not as common as you might think. But this one made its way into my heart immediately.

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Wintermint: I thought a scented nail polish was ridiculous until I tried this fresh minty gem.

RGB Violet: I painted my nails with this rich violet before heading to Israel with my family. To say I was obsessed? Don't know if that word covers it.

JUNE

Sephora Formula X Free Fall: It dazzles, it shimmers, it sparkles, it shines ... basically, this light blue does everything and more.

Deborah Lippmann Polka Dots and Moonbeams: This is one of those nail polishes that just gets better and better the more you build it. I love how the glitter takes on a sandwich-like effect with each coat.

RGB Minty: If I could only take one nail polish with me to a desert island, this just might be it. Minty has been one of my favorite colors for years, both because the name aptly describes the shade and because it's just so, SO good.

JULY

Chanel Tutti Frutti: The perfect summer color? Found it.

M.A.C Maleficent Nail Polish in Flaming Rose: What better way to celebrate July 4 than with a flaming red nail polish?

AUGUST

The American Eagle Outfitters BTS 2014 Nail Color Collection: Being the Copy Director for American Eagle Outfitters has many perks, but one of them? Getting to name all of the nail polishes for the company! In August, I swatched our entire BTS nail polish collection both for The Beauty of Life and the American Eagle Outfitters blog (like this stunner, Black Diamond). Such a treat!

SEPTEMBER

The Zoya Naturel Deux (2) Collection: This collection was chock full of polishes I'm going to wear again and again. But Madeline, a beautiful light mauve, really stole the show.

Tom Ford Black Cherry: Um, Tom Ford? I didn't really realize it was possible to love you more than I already had. But you went and made me do it with this deep blackened cherry lacquer.

M.A.C The Simpsons Nail Stickers: Hands down (pardon the pun) one of my favorite launches of 2014. I had a hard time actually USING these, since they're such a collectors item, but I'm so glad I did. I don't think any other manicure I did this year got as many stares and compliments.

Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin: Divine. Simply divine. This nail polish lived up to all the hype and then some. I feel completely justified in having spent $50 on it.

The Paintbox Hot Shot Manicure: During a trip to NYC for a friend's wedding, I simply HAD to check out Paintbox. It was really difficult to choose which manicure I wanted, but I'm really glad I ended up with this foiled masterpiece!

Zoya Ignite Nail Polish Swatches: All of the colors in this collection were gorgeous, but for me? Yuna really stole the show.

OCTOBER

Halloween Nail Art: My first-ever attempt at a French manicure was this orange and black one for Halloween, using colors from Maybelline and Zoya. I was pretty proud of how it turned out!

Zoya MatteVelvet Veruschka: If ever there were a moment to pull out Janice's "Oh. My. GOD." from Friends, this would be it. The texture of this polish is so unique and I am DYING over the rich emerald green hue.

Essie For The Twill Of It: This wasn't my first time using this polish and it won't be the last. I love the duochrome and the way it catches the light. Not like anything else in my collection, that's for sure.

Essie Sssssexy Magnetic Nail Polish: I pulled this one out of the recesses of my stash. I actually had to use the magnet from the Nails Inc. Trafalgar magnetic nail polish, since the one on this bottle didn't work -- but I LOVE the end result.

NOVEMBER

Chanel Blue Rebel: Who doesn't need the perfect navy nail polish in her life? I certainly do ... and I found it in Blue Rebel, which I picked up during a layover in the Madrid airport earlier this year.

Jenna Hipp Shaken Not Stirred and On The List: I. Love. This. Manicure. So. Much. The two colors play off each other perfectly and the polishes themselves are PERFECT. Glossy, easy to apply, great staying power, opaque in two coats. Like I said, PERFECT.

Deborah Lippmann Mermaid's Kiss: Deb really knocked it out of the park for me this year with her glitter polishes. This one, even though it was an older shade, was new to me -- and stole my heart immediately.

DECEMBER

Deborah Lippmann Marrakesh Express: The burnt sienna hue, the tons of rough-cut gold flakes ... this is one that will be in my permanent stash for years to come.

Hanukkah Ombre Nail Art: I love doing something special on my nails for different holidays -- and my Hanukkah blue ombre manicure this year was one of my all-time favorites.

Essie Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low: My bottle may have turned out more silver than molten gold, as it's supposed to be, but regardless of hue? This is a polish I can't wait to wear over and over.

R29 + Rescue Beauty Lounge Pretty Gritty: Sometimes you see a nail polish and just instantly fall in love. That's how I felt about Pretty Gritty the moment I saw swatches of it online. I mean, look at it. This shimmery mauveish plum was just SCREAMING my name.