Pages

May 31, 2018

Pink Gellac Gel Polish Review!

*Sent for review*

Hi everyone! I have something different (for me) today- a review of a gel polish system! This was my first time trying gel polish. The appeal of gel polish for other people seems to be the long wear time, but I like to change my polish often and wearing the same thing for 2 weeks isn't usually what I feel like doing. But I have been curious, so when Pink Gellac contacted me to see if I'd be interested in reviewing this kit, I decided to give it a try! 


This is the starter kit plus 1 free polish, according to the Pink Gellac website. Above is everything that came with the kit, including
1 x Free Primer 
1 x Free Color Dynamic Pink
1 x Pink Gellac LED Lamp
1 x Pink Gellac Base2 
1 x Pink Gellac Ultra Shine 15ml 
1 x Nail file 240-180 grid 
1 x Orange Woodsticks 
10 x Cleaner pockets
10 x Remover pockets

The website also says this comes with 4 free online lessons, which is great if you have never applied gel polish before. I found the instructional booklet to be very information, so I did not use the online lessons. I started by thoroughly cleaning my nails with the cleaner pockets, as instructed. I did use the primer first before the base coat. The instructions said to use the primer if you have some damage to your nails or peeling. I have peeling on some nails, so thought it would be best to use that. The primer does not cure in the light box, but the base does.

After primer and base, I used two coats of the Dynamic Pink color. It was nicely pigmented, so two coats was perfect. I used pretty thin coats, as I typically do.  I cured each coat after application. The final step was the top coat, which added a ton of shine. Overall, I thought the application was very easy. The brush shape and size were nice to work with and the formula was a pretty good consistency. 




So let me just say... if I am going to wear something for almost two weeks, it needs to be this gorgeous flamingo pink. This color is very hard to photograph, it's super bright, but not quite a neon. It's pink, but has coral touches. Every time I caught a glimpse of it on my hands, I loved it, even on the last day of wearing this mani.




Now on to the question everyone wants to know- how was the wear time? Below are two photos of this mani on day 10 of wear. You can see the shine is still going strong and I have almost no wear at the tips. I had zero chips. I do have some wear on the cuticle edge. I would chalk that up to my application of the polish in that area. Maybe I went too thin near my cuticles? But this wear didn't really show up until late on day 9, so I wasn't too concerned. I only removed this because I really needed to swatch some other things. I would imagine it would last 14 days without a problem.


Removal was not too bad either. I used the included remover pockets and allowed my nails to soak in the pockets for at least 10 minutes. Any polish that didn't seem to want to budge after that time I just made sure to soak in for another 5 minutes. By then, it was easy to push off with the orange stick.


Overall, I am very pleased with my first gel experience and with the Pink Gellac starter kit. I am planning on ordering the Mint Green color for sure, it looks gorgeous! View all of the Pink Gellac colors here and check out their great starter kits!

Zoya Jelly Brites Preview- Get Them For Free!!!








SPECIAL EDITION 2018 –  JELLY BRITES
Love to get the most out of your color? Jelly Brites are perfect for you! Wear alone as a sheer, buildable, glossy translucent color – or layer with other colors to make jelly sandwiches! The Jelly Brites also make a great kiss of color for a French manicure. 
  
• MOLLY (ZP937): A non-streaking, buildable, translucent red/pink jelly with an ultra-glossy finish. 
  
• PARIS (ZP938): A non-streaking, buildable, translucent fuchsia jelly with an ultra-glossy finish.
  
• ALIA (ZP939): A non-streaking, buildable, translucent plum jelly with an ultra-glossy finish. 
  
  
BONUS!
Celebrate National Nail Polish Day with us on Friday June 1st (and all weekend) by getting the Jelly Brites FREE* with any purchase on www.zoya.com
  
Use Code:  POLISH – Trio will be added automatically.
  
Valid 6/1/2018 – Sunday 6/3/2018 (11:59pm ET) 
Psst – The code is already active.
  
(US and Canada Consumers Only)
  
  
  

*10 FREE FORMULA: FORMULATED WITHOUT FORMALDEHYDE, FORMALDEHYDE RESIN,
DIBUTYL PHTHALATE, TOLUENE
, CAMPHOR, TPHP, PARABENS, XYLENE, ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE and LEAD.

May 27, 2018

Memorial Day Stars and Stripes

*Some products sent for review*

Hope all of my US readers are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! I picked up these American flag stencils from What's Up Nails awhile back and thought they'd be perfect to honor our veterans this weekend. 


I used OPI Infinite Shine Non-Stop White for the base, Lynnderella Unicorn Shoes for the blue stars, and China Glaze Ruby Pumps for the stripes. Overall I love how it came out, but I had some challenges with the stencils themselves. The stars did NOT want to pop out of the stencils. I had to pretty much individually remove them with tweezers, so the whole thing took quite a bit longer than I expected. But I do like the finished look!



These stencils are available now at What's Up Nails!

May 15, 2018

Zoya Naked Manicure Hand and Body System Review

*Sent for review*

I've been testing the Zoya Naked Manicure Hand and Body System for the last 3 months or so. When I received these products, it was still the unruly New England winter and my hands were a dry, gross mess. The first thing you apply is the serum, a spray that is a very light gel texture. The spray absorbs almost instantly and you barely feel the product after absorption. I used the spray alone several times too, at times in the day when I didn't want to feel a cream on my hands. There is an immediate improvement in the hydration level of skin after using this, and my hands looked smoother too.


The second step is the cream. It's a nice, lightweight cream and it also absorbs pretty quickly. I can feel it on my hands, but it just makes them feel kind of smooth. Both products are extremely lightweight. At this time of year when the weather is warmer and the heat is turned off indoors, these are the perfect products for use during the day and at night. In the worst of the winter though, I think I would still use a heavier night cream (I currently use O'Keefe's Working Hands), since my hands really get cracked and dry if I only use lighter creams.


I don't find hand creams to typically make a difference in the appearance of my nails, but these two products definitely make my nails look healthier and add a little glow to them. I would absolutely recommend this set for anyone looking for a fast absorbing, non-greasy way to add instant moisture and a smoother appearance to their hands.

The Zoya Naked Manicure Hand and Body System is available now at zoya.com.