Brain Rot

This past fall, I couldn’t scroll five minutes without running into a hot take about "brain rot" and the dreaded "iPad kids." Apparently, letting your kids zone out to a screen is the downfall of modern society. But as I heard the same tired complaints, all I could think about was my Nana side-eyeing me in the '90s while I watched Rugrats or Courage the Cowardly Dog, muttering that it would rot my brain. As if the slapstick chaos of The Three Stooges in the '50s or the endless anvils of Looney Tunes from the '60s onward were intellectual masterpieces. Every generation has their thing—and every older generation loves to freak out about it.

So, here’s my take: nothing was "better" back in the day. It was just different. And while we’re at it, can we stop acting like every second of content needs to be profound or educational? Sometimes, you just need to sit and rot. And that’s perfectly fine. In an age where productivity is treated like a personality trait, zoning out is a rebellion. I worked full-time as a single mother when my kids were little, and guess what? They were absolutely tablet kids. Now, my oldest is pulling straight A's (or whatever they call it these days with their new grading system), and my youngest is in the gifted program. Their brains? Very much not rotting. I can’t wait to see how bright their futures are—even if they do love a little brain rot now and then.

Enter the Brain Rot collection—six shades inspired by the slang we use to roll our eyes, shrug things off, and confuse our parents. The words may change, but the generational snark is forever. Below, you’ll find the meaning behind each shade, along with references to slang from the past several decades—because every era has its own brand of brain rot.

Cap: A purple-toned grey with a strong purple aurora shimmer and scattered holo flakes. It’s so purple-toned, calling it grey is cap. Back in the day, you’d call it frontin’—a whole flex that isn’t fooling anyone.

• 80’s: "Bogus" – The ultimate disbelief before anyone was fact-checking.
• 90’s: “Talk to the hand” – When you couldn’t even be bothered to listen to the lies.
• 2000’s: "Frontin’" – Acting like you’re all that when you’re definitely not.
• 2010’s: "No Joke" – A declaration that you’re telling the truth—no lie, no joke.

Mewing: A pigmented spring crocus purple creme with a gold aurora shimmer. It’s giving main character energy with a side of mischief. Today, mewing is all about jawline flexes, but every generation has had their own way to pull focus.

• 80’s: "Glamazon" – Big hair, bold makeup, and the confidence to match. A chiseled jaw fits right in.
• 90’s: "All That" – When you were absolutely serving, no crumbs left.
• 2000’s: "Snatched" – Before it was for wigs, it was for waistlines—now, it’s that jawline.
• 2010’s: "On Fleek" – First it was brows, now it’s jawlines. Keep up.

Womp Womp: A matte pistachio green holo with a sneaky green shimmer, perfect for when life hands you L's, but your nails still eat. Back in the day, you’d call it a bummer—now, it’s just "womp womp." Wear it as a reminder that even when things flop, your manicure stays winning.

• 80’s: "Bummer" – The classic way to express disappointment.
• 90’s: "Whatever" – The ultimate teen shrug.
• 2000’s: "Fail" – A blunt takedown for anything that flopped.
• 2010’s: "I Can’t Even" – For those moments when words just aren’t enough.

-100 Aura: A periwinkle blue with holo flakes and a subtle microflake shimmer that shifts from pink to orange. It’s the polish equivalent of a side-eye. Negative energy? Blocked.

• 80’s: “Gag me with a spoon” – When something is so gross or annoying, you physically can’t deal.
• 90’s: “Buzzkill” – Someone or something that ruins all the fun instantly.
• 2000’s: "Haterade" – Sipping on unnecessary negativity.
• 2010’s: “Toxic AF” – When the vibe is so bad, it’s basically hazardous.

We’re Cooked: A blush pink with aurora flakes and a violet aura shimmer. When things go off the rails, at least your nails are still flawless. This shade is your reminder that when everything’s a disaster, you can still look good doing it.

• 80’s: "Toast" – When you’re done for—crispy and finished.
• 90’s: "Busted" – No coming back from this mess.
• 2000’s: "Owned"or "Pwned" (if your a super nerd like me) – For when you get completely defeated or outsmarted.
• 2010’s: "RIP" – Say goodbye, it’s over.

it’s CORN!: A buttery yellow shimmer that glows in the dark—because, obviously, it has the juice. This one’s for the memes that make life just a little brighter.

• 80’s: "Max Headroom"– Glitchy, futuristic, and weirdly mesmerizing.
• 90’s: "Dancing Baby"– That pixelated baby walked so memes could run.
• 2000’s: "Charlie Bit My Finger"– Two British brothers, one tiny bite, and endless internet fame. 
• 2010’s: "Harlem Shake"– 30 seconds of chaos where anything goes—kind of like the energy this polish brings to your nails.

The Brain Rot collection is my way of saying: let the kids be weird. Every generation has its thing, and none of it is ruining society. The future is bright—and if it isn’t, at least your nails will be.