L'Oreal Nail Stickers In Seductive Temptress: This Is Not The Polish I Was Looking For

Pinky McLadybits

Via 

No, I never learn. EVER. I was at Target, browsing the clearance endcaps like one does, when I spotted L'Oreal's Nail Stickers. Apparently the brand teamed with Project Runway to create these python-inspired nail stickers called Seductive Temptress. Since the price was now $2.38 marked down from $7.99 and since this isn't *technically* nail polish, I was sold. 

I had just painstakingly painted my nails, following all of the tips and rules people have given me. Base coat, two coats of polish, top coat, make sure that the polish goes over the edges of nails, etc. And that shit chipped in less than 12 hours. I was ready to give press on nail color another go.

Time to Break Out your Winter Topcoats: Nails Inc. The Donmar Topcoat

Rusty

Nail polish is probably one of my more frivolous hobbies. I’m not especially good at it, I don’t wear it that often, and I’m terrible at not chipping it within two or three days. But I love nail polish, I’m too poor for manicures, and having a row of little candy-colored bottles lined up on my dresser makes me happy. So I look for deals, and recently I found a great one.

Sephora was selling off some nail kits and I found one for The Donmar Collection featuring the Donmar topcoat and Chelsea polish for $10. The topcoat features clear, iridescent bits that color shift in the light. The polish was a deep plum that looks almost black with two coats. Application was pretty standard, two coats of Chelsea, wait for it to dry, and then another two layers of the Donmar top coat. Right away it began to look good, with the iridescent bits shifting in the light. The effect was completed with a clear top coat and about ten minutes of walking around being very careful about touching things. 

Molly 'n Me Glow in the Dark Nail Polish: Don't You Know that You're Toxic?

Tamatha

A little over a month ago, I was on Martha's Vineyard for a wedding (that sounds a lot posh-er than my life actually is). After my friends and I had a fabulous lunch at The Net Result, we were wandering around the little shopping center there and decided to check out The Toy Box, a cool looking toy store.  My eye was caught by a container of nail polishes, some of which were glow in the dark.  That, my friends, was something I could not resist.  Not only did the glow-in-the-dark nail polish speak to the part of me attracted to tacky-ish things, but it was only $4.00, so it felt like a totally reasonable purchase--especially in a place like the Vineyard where things are quite pricey.

Of course, it was only later, that the rational side of my brain pointed out that this nail polish was probably exactly the sort of product I avoid: completely unnatural, no doubt tested on animals (the poor bunnies!), and, I was willing to bet, made in China.  So serious demerits for me.  Listen, I need one of you readers who normally doesn't care about such things to buy some natural product made here in the US of A (or your home country, I'm not picky) and not tested on animals to cancel this purchase of mine out, okay?

Anyway, the nail polish in question is, Molly 'n Me Glow in the Dark Nail Polish.  I picked out this awesome shade of bluish-purple.  In fact, that was part of why I decided to get the nail polish, because it came in a great shade of blue that I wanted anyway.  I was really excited to try it.  I finally got around to giving it a whirl shortly before Halloween.

Ciaté Velvet Manicure: When Doves Cry

Dixie

The next time I see an unusual beauty product and think to myself, "That's so cool! I definitely need to try that," I'm goring to step back and count to ten. Sometimes, novelty beauty items lean more towards the novelty and less towards the beauty. Just as the LashBlast Luxe suckered me, so has the Ciaté Velvet Manicure.

At first glance, velvet nails sound pretty cool, right? A bit of soft furriness on your nails to keep in theme with your fall sweaters and scarves...until you remember that with use velvet becomes threadbare, like the antique sitting couch in your great-aunts parlor. That's what I should have considered before sinking $19 into this total bust of a product. I picked up a kit of the Berry Poncho, a nice purplish color that would get a silent nod of approval from Prince.

Essie Nail Lacquer

Dixie

My husband, daughter, and I were shopping in Target when we walked past the new display of Essie Nail Lacquers. I stopped the cart and said, "Hold on. Pinky said she wanted us to review some items from the Shape Beauty Awards 2012 list. I have to buy this nail polish." Sounds like a convenient excuse to buy something pretty, BUT IT'S TOTALLY TRUE. (Editor's note: BWAHAHAHAHAH!) That's how I ended up trying Essie Nail Lacquer in Boxer Shorts, a lovely opaque lilac color (though it's classified under Blues on the Essie website, go figure). I know. Cool story, bro.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color: Better Than Radioactive Color

Pinky McLadybits

Full disclosure: I was selected by Influenster to receive a Summer Voxbox filled with products to review. I will be reviewing them whether I find them awesome or terrible.

I have been eyeballing these polishes for a while and always found a reason not to buy them. I was delighted when the Voxbox I received had Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Polar Purple for me to try. SO EXCITED.

It gave me all of the motivation I needed to remove my previous polish and start again while watching Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Agree to Disagree: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips

Dixie

Nail strips are a great invention. I've always admired nail art, but I've never been able to justify the high cost of something so fleeting. And, I've never been able to develop the talent or the steady hand to do my own. When Sally Hansen came out with the Salon Effects Nail Strips, I was excited. I could finally have bitchin' cool nails!

I immediately snapped up a box of houndstooth pattern strips at my local CVS...and put them in the drawer. Truth be told, I was a little intimidated by them. Yes, I read the instructions but I didn't want to waste my $7 by screwing them up. So they sat. And sat. And I read Pinky's review. And they sat some more, until last month when my mom and I happened to be in Sephora during their nail event. When asked by a Sephora employee if you want your nails done for free, you say YES! So, I asked her to put a sample of their nail strips on to show me how to use my Sally Hansen ones at home. 

Pinky's Polish Obsession: Orly Space Cadet

Pinky McLadybits

Some brands of polish really need no review. You know that OPI, Orly, Zoya, etc. are going to go on well. Sure, sometimes they need three or four coats instead of the suggested two, but that isn't such a big deal. The thing we really want to know about with polishes?

How does it look on nails. That's what I want to know. You can shake and stare at a bottle of polish in different lights for hours, but it won't tell you how the polish will look once you actually apply it.

There are tons of nail blogs out there that show you how polishes look, but don't Google them. Just stick with us and let us be the only review site you'll ever need. 

Our inaugural polish is Orly's Space Cadet.

npw Vanilla Fragrance Nail Polish Remover Pads

Pinky McLadybits

You may remember me as the Hot Inker with the nail polish obsession. If not, let me enlighten you! I can't stand the natural look of my nails without polish. I'm a sucker for new colors, especially by O.P.I. when I can rationalize the cost. I like to give the different effects topcoats a go and I like to layer the colors that I have for a new look. I'll even give strips, press-on nails, and glue-on fake nails a go.

I have a problem.

Because of this problem, I need a nail polish remover that will quickly and easily remove all traces of color so I can then start the process all over again. I also need remover that doesn't stink like a chemical factory filled with horse shit, set on fire with wet dog hair, and doused with the piss of a thousand asparagus eaters.

Nicole by OPI Texture Coat in Opal Texture: Uh, Are You Sure?

Pinky McLadybits

I avoided buying any of The Hunger Games inspired China Glaze colors. I passed over the Spider-Man tie-in polishes from OPI. I decided to use up the Zoya I had before buying any more (plus the summer colors all looked TERRIBLE on me). Kardashian Kolors kan kiss my krack.

However, the Nicole by OPI Opal Texture Coat caught my eye. It would work over the polishes I already own. I thought it would be a fun way to get that shattered look without the heavy annoyance I had with Sally Hansen Fractured Foil.

Well, it is pretty.

Pinky Tries It: Color-Block Nails

Pinky McLadybits

I mentioned the trend of color-block nails in Hot Links the other day. My current manicure was chipping off quite a bit and it was time for something new. I decided to give this color-black a try.

You will need different polish colors. Make sure that they are not just glitter polish, as I learned the hard way. They must be opaque. At least, I think they look better that way.

You will also need scotch tape, scissors, quick-dry drops or top coat, and time. You will need to prep your nails with a base coat and allow it to dry thoroughly. Then you are ready to start.

Trends We'll Never Stop Loving: Black Nail Polish

Dixie

At heart, I'm a rock and roll kind of chick. (The Rock 'n Roller lives next to the Earth Mother. Go figure.) The older I get, the more I sartorially exhibit these tendencies, but it started way back in junior high with one thing - black nail polish.

My memory doesn't serve me as well as it should, but I believe I discovered the joys of a black nail when grunge became a thing. Since then, black has been my go-to nail color when I get tired of, well, color.

Shellac Manicure Follow-Up: Removal and Carnage

Pinky McLadybits

Via

I got my Shellac Manicure on March 13th. I was quite pleased. The color was gorgeous and it really did every thing that it was supposed to, like not chip.

But then, tragedy struck.

While in the shower, thinking thoughts, I accidentally cut my finger and sliced through my manicure on my left ring finger. It looked like I had cut a slice of manicure pie right out of the color. I was so mad at my wandering thinky grey whale.

The good news was that even with that piece missing, the manicure on that finger did not chip, crack, or peel any further. That was pretty sweet.

Brighten Your Day: Milani Nail Lacquer

Vee

This winter has been dreary and rainy so I was looking to put a little spring back into my pedicure. Normally I stick to reds, plums and french manicures, but mama needed a little cheering up! When I spied Milani's Nail Lacquer formulas in Neon and Jewel FX I thought, why not?

I chose Fresh Teal in the Neon range of colors. When Milani says Neon, they aren't playing. These colors are highlighter bright.

I was super impressed with how opaque this nail polish is and what great coverage a single coat gives your nail.

Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat: You Really Had A Hold On Me

Pinky McLadybits

I'm not sure if you have noticed, but I've had some troubles with nail polishes lately. They haven't been drying. They've chipped minutes after finishing a tedious session of base coat, two coats of polish, and then a top coat, with about an hour's worth of application and drying. They've squished up, ripped, and been generally terrible. I had almost given up on nail polish, my lovely friend and pick-me-up.

I decided to try one of the nail products that were supposed to dry nails faster. They all claim to dry the nails within seconds or minutes. I decided to go with the Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat.

Nuking The Fridge Has Been Scientifically Proven To Be Bullsh*t

Pinky McLadybits

Let's start out with something that will either confuse you or make you feel old. Then the links can only get better from there! Check out these nearly extinct household items. (Listverse)

There, there. Here's something to brighten your mood! Eight amazing women-run businesses! (ecosalon)

Ulta Nail Prints: Here It Goes Again

Pinky McLadybits

Yes, yes. I am a sucker for all things easy and nail-related. Especially the notion of sticking on the polish and removing the dry time from the equation. I suppose I could help it, but I don't want to. I was getting my free item from Ulta for spending money there and while I was in line I noticed the awesome-looking Ulta Nail Prints in Skull. Even though they were $12, I snapped them up immediately. 

I decided that they couldn't be any worse than Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips. They would have to totally refuse to stick to my nails and smell like dog poop to be worse than those. Lucky for me, neither of those things occurred while using the Ulta Nail Prints. Yay!

A House of Lies: Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro Polish

Figgy

So after many years of trying out all brands and prices, I've come to the conclusion that, by and large, the nail polish industry is full of shit. They all tell you their polishes will last forever, that they won't chip, that they NOW contain 50% pure adamantium duo-cortex DNA complex and so will NEVER fade!

You think I exaggerate? Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro Polish claims to be "Super durable chip resistant nail lacquer with Shine Release Complex" that will last "Up to 10 Days". Sounds impressive, is actually complete bullshit in reality. It lasted maybe 12 hours before the tops started chipping, and by the next day huge flakes were coming off the sides. Not only that, I also had to apply three coats of polish before the color looked decent and my nails were fully covered. So all the above claims were pretty much all lies.

Zoya Polish In Indigo: Scientific As Hell

Pinky McLadybits

Test subject: Zoya Nail Polish in Indigo.

I received Indigo from Zoya as part of their free promotion. I chose it because of the dark blue color and the hints of sparkle that reminded me of a starry sky. It looked pretty online but was darker and less sparkly when I received the bottle in the mail.

I will attempt to test the polish and share my findings as to the color, ease of use, and lasting ability of the polish. I applied a base coat, two coats of polish, and one top coat. I dried the nails under a nail dryer for over an hour.

Blast Off! Yes, I Know That Was Lame: Blasted Nail Polish by OPI for Sephora

Rusty

I’m a sucker for gimmick nail polish. I like nail polish in general, but give me a choice between a solid color and shimmery and I’ll go with shimmery. Shimmery versus glitter and I’ll pick glitter. Glitter versus special effects and, well, you get the idea.


I especially like special effect nails that don’t require a huge amount of effort or time, because I have a very busy life writing things on the internet, do you know. Miraculously, Sephora by OPI’s Blasted series seems to be both simple and visually impressive in one step.

Blasted’s instructions are extremely simple and straightforward: