reviewing now: red carpet manicure part II

I apologize for the late post.  Life has gotten the best of me lately, but here's a short update to my Red Carpet Manicure Review posted here.

I purchased and have worn the Red Carpet Manicure colors in Nominated For, Midnight Affair and Simply Stunning.  Let me start by "dittoing" what most other reviewers have said: the colors look nothing like the bottle when you put them on.  I didn't make any BAD choices: Nominated For is a nice deep, dark purple; Midnight Affair is a deep, rich blue; and Simply Stunning is a nude color.  Simply Stunning wasn't my favorite upon application, but it grew on me, and it is definitely the only color I would consider wearing for two weeks.

writing now: 2011 game changers

I'm not one for making New Year's Resolutions so I wanted to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 by sharing my favorite items, what I call my Game Changes, for the year.  Some were products that I've discovered in 2011, some were those I rediscovered in 2011 and still others were items that have stood the test of time.

writing now: essie case study + orly vip

I neglected to post a pic of one of my glitter manis. 

 

This is a combination of case study and orly vip. I found that these glitter polishes really helped my mani stay put for awhile, especially considering no top coat was used!

reviewing now: red carpet manicure pro kit

I have to start this post by singing the highest regards for this product! If you have to stop reading right now, I would just recommend that you GO and pick this up!

Now here's my full review.

writing now: fall purchases

I haven't really been in the mood for fall fashion lately.  Maybe I'm just in denial.  I'm just not ready for winter.  I have, however, been really into nail polish!  Some of the fall releases are really helping me ease into fall.

essie lady like, essie case study, essie sew psyched

I had a really hard time deciding between a few of the more nude-like colors in the fall release, but walked away with lady like, case study and sew psyched!  One thing I don't like about essie nail polishes is that they *never* look like they do in the bottle once they applied on me.  They look *nice* but not quite the same.

The picture above shows all two coats with no base or top coat.  In the pictures below you can see that they have a tendency to apply more streaky than polishes that I'm used to working with.  They take an incredible amount of patients to work with, but I think the end result is worth it.  I've gotten more compliments on my nail polishes while wearing these, than I have any other polish.

First up, lady like:

This polish exudes femininity.  As I'm trying to really define my style and figure out WHO I am and the image I want to portray, feminine is definitely the cornerstone oft the picture that I'm developing. I'm currently wearing this on my toes and it really disappears.  I've been on the hunt for the perfect nude *everything* and that has proven quite difficult with my skin tone, but I think this will be my go to nude pedi!

Next case study:

This polish was not what I was expecting when I purchased it.  I'm wearing it now and have been hearing I love that nail polish.  It puts me in the mind of femininity without being too in your face about it.  It's more along the lines of, "Yes I care enough about my appearance to care for my nails, but please take a look at this wonderful bag I'm carrying instead, thanks."  You know...it's there, but it's not THERE!
 
Lastly, sew psyched:

This is somewhat out of my comfort zone.  I never really got into the whole mint green trend of this summer, but I was intrigued by it!  I find that this nail color is a nice compromise!  I plan to wear it this week as a test run of sort.  If I end up disliking it as a full on mani, I'll wear it on my toes!

My mani was lady like earlier in the week:

I was really impressed with the wearability. I had little to no tip wear.  Although it takes *extra* care to apply this polish without it being streaky (and I didn't really do a good job with this first run through, I was late for dinner :( ), it is worth it!

 And here is my case study mani from later in the week:

This week: Sew Psyched! Ciao!

writing now: perfect mani

I've been addicted to pedicures and the like since middle school.  I've recently (as in the last year or two) gotten into painting my nails and DIY manicures.  I've been working on perfecting my at home nail polishing skills and wanted to share them with you!

Materials (any brands will do):
cotton rounds/cotton balls
q-tips
nail polish remover
rubbing alcohol
nail clippers
nail file

Specific Products:
Orly Bonder Base Coat:  I live and breathe this base coat.  I've been using it for at least 2 years and have repurchased over and over again.  I paint my nails and toes often and one bottle will usually last between 6 and 8 months.  This base coat leaves your nails a little "tacky" or "sticky" after application and I believe that helps the nail polish adhere to your nail better than without it.




Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat:  This product is definitely true to its name.  Nothing dries my polish faster.  I've tried all kinds of old school tricks like sealing polish with a drop of oil and running nail polish under cold water to "shock" it, but this top coat is the only gimmick I need in my life.  I usually purchase these two at a time.  The only caveat is that the polish will thicken after awhile, so I make sure to keep some nail polish thinner on hand.


China Glaze is my "go to" nail polish brand.  This is totally a personal preference type of thing, but China Glaze is THE nail polish that lasts the longest on me, with minimal tip wear.  I have had some luck with Essie recently and plan to explore the brand a little more.  China Glaze doesn't have a ton of colors in the permanent range, but they do release seasonal collections that have tons of hits!




First remove all of the old polish from my nails.  I use the cotton balls/cotton rounds and the q-tips.  Usually I'll start the major removal with the cotton rounds and then I'll clean up around my cuticles with the q-tips.

Then I'll use the nail clippers to trim my nails - especially if it's been awhile.  I tend to like my nails very short.  I'll follow up and shape with the nail file.

Next comes the alcohol.  I use that to remove any residual oil from my nails so that the polish will adhere better.

I'll then use the Orly Bonder Base Coat on my nails.  I tend to let this dry, but it will still remain tacky.  I'll follow that with one thin coat of nail polish, which I let dry completely.  When that is completely dry, I'll use an additional thin coat of polish.  I don't let that coat dry, and apply the seche.

Usually it takes me about 30 minutes to do four coats of nail polish.  I will polish my nails while watching t.v. at night and by the time I'm ready to close my eyes, they are dry enough to sleep!

Eventually I would like to purchase the supplies to DIY Shellac my nails.  While I don't think it's a great idea for long term wear, I *do* like the idea for special occasions.  I hate having to bring 3-4 nail polishes with me when I travel, but as of now that is the only option unless I go bare - which I hate.  I would totally shellac before a big vacation, holiday or any time I needed a picture perfect mani.  I know Sally Beauty Supply has the stuff and I'll post when I try it!

Here are the results pre clean-up.  Unfortunately, my pinky nail had an unfortunate run in with my ring finger.  I usually use a q-tip soaked in nail polish remove to clean up my cuticles and other miscellaneous stray polish marks. 

The color is China Glaze Limbo Bimbo:

You like??

Update:  Here are pictures of my nails at day 3.  You can see the beginnings of a little tip wear after 3 days of normal activities such as washing dishes. light cleaning, typing, etc.  If my tip wear gets really bad and I don't have time to repolish my nails, I may run a coat of polish over the tips, or just repaint the nails that are really bad.