Gel manicure

Gel manicures came onto the scene a couple of years ago, but I'm just now (carefully) getting on the band wagon. I'm not talking about gel overlays (like acrylic nails) - I'm talking about gel "polish". I think OPI was first on the market with Axxium (that link isn't the OPI website, but it explains the Axxium system), and now CND has Shellac.

According to my nail tech, Shellac is "easier" on your nails than Axxium, because it is newer technology. I know nothing about the details, but everything I've read on the internet seems to reinforce her information.They call it a "hybrid" - it goes on like a polish & wears like a gel. Plus it's supposed to be easier to remove than the OPI.

If you aren't familiar with gel manicures, it's basically a manicure where the polish is a special polish that is "activated" by 30 seconds of UV light. My nail tech does 4 coats - base coat, 2 coats of color, and a top coat - each followed by 30 seconds under the UV light.

This stuff is amazing!! There are a ton of colors from which to choose - I chose a pale neutral pink with just a hint of shimmer which looks very natural. It's very shiny and it really does stay that way. They tell you that it lasts 2 weeks, but it may last a bit longer. I was busy at the 2 week point, tried to get an appointment at 3 weeks, but my tech was on vacation for a week. So I went 4 weeks before reapplication. Other than the new growth at the base of the nail, they pretty much looked the same as when they were first done. My tech was amazed, so I assume that is not the norm.

(I forgot to take a picture before the old gel was removed, but the nails really looked the same as they did at Day 21. This picture is of the new gel.)

So it lasts at least 2 weeks, stays shiny, doesn't chip, and it's completely dry at the end of the manicure. Yes - you can reach in your purse for your keys & your nails will be just fine! The cost at my salon is $32. I've checked other local salons & that seems to be about the average price.

I admit, I'm a little concerned about the UV light. Only the tips of the fingers are under the light - and one doesn't normally worry about fingernails when out in the sun. But there is that little bit of skin that is exposed. I thought about sunscreen, but since you have to soak the nails to remove the old "gel", I assume that would soak off the sunscreen as well. I'm wondering if one could apply sunscreen after the nails are prepped, but before the product is applied that makes sure the nailbed is clean & dry? I don't know if that would affect how the "gel" adheres or not. I would be interested in any information or advice concerning the UV aspect of the manicure. I'm hoping they find a way to do this without the UV light, because it really is a great manicure.

Zoya is so clever!!!

Have you guys heard of the new Zoya nail polish spoons?? I think they are one of the most clever things I've ever seen! And the perfect way to sample nail polish!

If you haven't seen them yet, here's the deal:
They are little clear plastic spoons, and the bowl of the spoon has been painted with the nail polish. So not only can you see the actual color of the polish (because we all know it almost never looks the same in the bottle as it does on our nails), but you can also turn the spoon over and place the bowl of the spoon over one of your nails to see how the color looks on you!! How freakin' clever is that??

 (btw - this color is Willow)

But wait - there's more!

The spoon samples are $.50 each - but don't despair. They ship for free (or you can pay $2 for expedited shipping) - and you receive a code that can be used on your next Zoya order, and it's worth the full value of the sample spoons you ordered! So if you order 10 spoons, you will receive a code that is worth $5 off your next Zoya polish purchase!

My samples:

colors L to R: Willow, Elodie, Cassi, Corrine, Madison, Paige

colors L to R: Sunny, Jordana, Emme, Maya

These are the free samples that were included with my order:

colors L to R: Edyta, Julieanne, Cheryl, Karina, Carrie Ann, Kym

colors L to R: Kelly, Stacy, Burke, Kristi, Cola, Shawn

My favorites from the samples I ordered: Willow, Cassi
For summer, I like: Elodie, Maya
From the Wicked & Wonderful samples, I like: Burke (and I think Kym would be great for fall/winter parties)

I think I'm going to use my credit voucher to buy Burke since it's such a pretty fall color!

Thursday's Blog

This Thursday's blog is another "girly" blog - yay for girly things!! It's all about another one of my favorite girly things - nail polish!!

I can't tell you how many bottles of nail polish I've purchased just to get them home and find out that they look nothing like they appear in the bottle. Sigh. What a waste of time and money! They should have tester bottles!

Scrangie's blog is all about seeing actual pictures of the polish on her nails! It's so awesome! I admit, her nails scare me a little bit - but I can look past that, LOL.

I am fascinated by all of the polishes she shows - I had no idea there were so many lines of nail polish! The most recent one to hold me mesmerized is this:

(photo courtesy of scrangie.com)

I'm not a fan of nail art, and I wouldn't do this on my fingernails - but I'm imagining this on toenails for summer! Maybe in a hot pink and white or coral and yellow. Maybe even pink on pink. Or with a different design. But I think it would look cute with a tan and sandals - especially at the beach!

 (I like the two little flowers above the "m3" - they look like the tattoo on my toe!)

The plates are available from Konad - and the cost is $5.90 each. There are 7 designs on each plate. And there are SOOOOO many designs from which to choose!! The stamping kit is $4.90 and includes the stamper and scraper. The plate holder is $2.50. They also offer some kits - from reasonable to pricey. The special polish (used for the design) is $3.90 for a 5ml bottle or $6.50 for a 10ml bottle.

This shows how to apply the nail art. And this is a video showing how to apply. I think I could do this with a little practice. Anyone else game to give it a try? Or has anyone already tried it?