Nails

Soak-Off Gel Polish

by

Sensationail Gel Polish Lamp
This is a legacy post that has been given a facelift. Enjoy!

UV gel polish has been pretty trendy for a while now – probably a year and a half, give or take? Though there are many players on the field and the products are more accessible than ever, there remains skepticism regarding the efficacy of the products as compared to their claims – if I blamed anyone for that, I’d be a jerk.

How I Learned to Love the Gel

Here’s some backstory, for you – holiday season 2012 – a friend expressed curiosity in the Sensationail gel system. Her roommate had one of the kits and seemed happy with it, but my friend and I craved a bit more than this flaky roommate’s thumbs-up. We did some research on it and found the promises of:

  • low-odor application
  • zero dry-time
  • up to two weeks of wear
  • a finish that does not wind up dull after a few days
  • and relatively easy removal appealing.

She bit, got a kit, and liked it. After seeing her results, I pined for one, and my partner got me a kit that Christmas.

Most kits consist of steps involving prepping the nail, applying color gel polish in between a base and top coat, and curing after each layer. I find the process takes me about 30-45 minutes, but I’m a perfectionist about it (nails are my thing). While applying gel polish differs slightly, it is no more difficult than applying traditional polish – the major thing is that you must clean up any “oops” areas before you cure, but it is easy enough. There really is no dry time, just a minute or so of cure time per layer (brands may differ).

The real question is does it really hold up?

Read more

Manicure Monday – 2/18/19 – China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink

by
China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink
China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink

This short-but-sweet Manicure Monday post features China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink. This week’s manicure actually went on the day before Valentine’s Day. I didn’t quite get two weeks out of my previous manicure, to my chagrin.

This bright, neon pink is more than I’d typically don on my fingers these days – but what the hell? It looks super neat under the lamp as it cures. It is bright and lively, and we could all use a little more of that.

So far, nearly a week in, it looks great and I have no expectations of premature lift. It’s no original formula Flip Flop Fantasy, but China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink is damn fun nonetheless.

You can get China Glaze Gelaze Shocking Pink here, or it regular polish version here.

Pedicure Details

As for my toes, I took a break from the brights and donned ol’ faithful, Red Hot Rio today. So… basically I have an inverse Valentine’s-appropriate mani-pedi combo, also unintentional. WTF.

Manicure Monday – 1/21/19 – Gelaze Exceptionally Gifted

by
China Glaze Glaze Exceptionally GiftedChina Glaze Glaze Exceptionally Gifted

After two weeks of blue, I’m back in the realm of neutral-ish on my fingers. This soft pink with metallic pearl is feminine and flattering on me. While it isn’t remotely a dupe for my loved-and-lost Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds polish of yore, it is probably the closest I’ve come in a gel formula.

Gel versions of colors that already exist in lines tend to differ slightly, but this time, the difference is nice. Swatches of the classic formula, though, would deter me from purchase. Gelaze Exceptionally Gifted, however, is quite nice! Reviews indicate that the classic formula is very chip-prone, but I’ve never had an issue with the wear of the Gelaze polishes.

Frankly, my application was shoddy – I did it late in the evening while watching TV (usually I’m fully absorbed in manicure-land), so I wouldn’t be surprised if I don’t get two weeks out of it. Knowing I did a lousy job, I’ll be happy with one.

Bonus Pedicure

Read more

Manicure Monday – 1/14/19 – Nina Ultra Pro Caribbean Blue

by

Manicure Monday - Nina Ultra Pro Caribbean Blue

I wrote the previous Manicure Monday post the Saturday prior to publish. Then, on Sunday, I got rid of the Nude Mood manicure and started anew. So this, really, should’ve gone live Monday. We’re catching up from a lag!

I’ve been doing a lot of neutrals on my fingers and reds on my toes. And I love both – they’re classic, professional, effortless.

A Polish to Gel Manicure

But I wanted some color in my life, so I reached for Nina Ultra Pro in Caribbean Blue and my Sensationail Polish to Gel kit.

Read more

TPDTY: You Need a Glass Nail File

by
Glass Nail File
Things People Don’t Tell You: You Need a Glass Nail File

Of all my beauty pursuits, I am most skilled with nails – and have bothered with them the longest (read: forever). Over the years, I’ve owned hundreds of different nail files. I kept a glass nail file primarily for smoothing but never for shaping because it simply isn’t the right tool for it. As a result, I didn’t use them as often because I had other tools that could accomplish the same purpose.

For years now, I’ve given myself gel polish manicures. I did a DIY gel manicure before I ever got a professional one, and have in fact only had a handful of professional gel manicures since. It wasn’t until late 2017, though, that the same manicurist who made me pine for Icelanded a Bottle of OPI let me in on a tip.

Gel Manicures

If the capped free edge is compromised, it smooths it beautifully without further harming the structural integrity or seal of the gel polish. You can then either reseal with a gel top coat or go about your life.

Gentle

For polish-free nails, a glass nail file has a very fine grit that won’t significantly reduce length. You have to try to screw up with a glass nail file.

Carry-On

There isn’t much to say on this – a glass nail file tends to be less questionable in a carry-on when flying than a metal file. We can argue the TSA’s logic all we like, but it is what it is. I have one that is rounded on either end that I travel with to treat snags on-the-go.

Cleanliness

A glass file is more hygienic and easily sterilized than a conventional emery board.

The Bottom Line

A glass nail file has a place in anyone’s kit who executes or receives gel manicures with any kind of frequency. If you If you’re looking for a recommendation, I own this set that was inexpensive and is sturdy and effective.