“Back” on track. FINALLY!
You guys!! I can’t tell you how much I’ve been missing you all. And I don’t mean that in the cheesy, that’s what I’m supposed to say, way. I’ve been seriously going cra cra laying on my back not able to talk polish with you.
I look forward to reading your comments and emails every day and it’s been rough not having my peeps to interact with. Also, your comments weren’t lost or anything. I’m so behind thanks to an update to the WordPress app for Android. I can’t get the stupid thing to open on my phone or tablet, bother!
Anywhoodle, I’m back for reals this time. After seeing a spine specialist I was told I have a severe muscle strain. I was just so happy it wasn’t disc related. Though the doc offhandedly mentioned that I have degenerative discs. Um, thanks? I was given a choice of a shot in my back or pills & lots of rest with ice. As much as I wanted get better fast, needles scare the bejeezus out of me so I had to opt for the two week drug induced sleepfest.
I’m not 100% yet but I can sit for more than 20 minutes without wanting to cry and I was able to get through 20 minutes of Zumba so I’ll take it. Side note: Those of you curious about my progress with Weight Watchers, I finally hit the 40lb mark this past weekend. I’m almost halfway to goal. Woot!
So I mentioned my NYE manicure in my last real post and while it’s WAY after the fact, I’m so obsessed with this polish I just have to share it with you. I have literally worn this color FOUR times since I got it. That’s in spite of the removal nightmare that is glitter polish.
China Glaze Tinsel Town is my EVERYTHING in terms of glitter polish. It’s so dense that you only need two coats for full coverage. It’s a gorgeous graphite silver that looks chic no matter the season. And the variety of the glitter particles is perfection. Tiny square and round glitter pieces are packed in the semi-sheer smokey blue-grey base with larger hexagonal sequins.
Yes, it eats top coat. To the point that I could still feel texture after using Gelous as a spackle coat and two layers of Out The Door Top Coat. But you know what, it still sparkled like I had little mirrors glued to my nails so I can deal with texture. The removal isn’t a joy but you’ll have that with glitters.
You can still find China Glaze Tinsel Town and the rest of the Let It Snow collection on my go-to etailers Head2ToeBeauty.com and TransDesign.com. Bottles retail for $3/ea.
Next up, the nomination round for the Fanatic Favorites 2011 and my recap of the Golden Globes. And of course, polish. Lots and lots of polish!!!
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
welcome back!!!!! I missed your posts and am glad you’re doing better.
I really needed to quit buying nail polish…oh well, I gotta have some of that good stuff. I am so glad you are back. You are the Thinking Woman’s Beauty Blogger.
OH NO FREAKING WAY. I just applied this polish three minutes ago
Great minds think alike I guess, it’s super awesome. I hope you feel better soon!
It’s nice to have you back, glad you are feeling better. Great polish for a comeback, it;s gorgeous!!
I have the best glitter removal I just found – these little pink tips called gel-off I found on eBay. You use them instead of foil and it is ten times easier. I swear!
Those sound fantastic! Thanks for the rec.
No prob! I HATE foil. These are meant for gel removal but do awesome for giant chunky glitter. They made Lorelei’s Tiara look like a creme.
HA! I totally got these too, and they are sooo much easier! Cotton with remover, stick it on top of your nail and then clamp on the tip. No messy twisting of foil – with foil i was able to only do like 3 nails at a time because I couldn’t work around the ones I had already done. The tips could be a little tighter of a clamp, but they were cheap so it’s ok.
I keep seeing those on eBay and wondered if/how they worked. Glad to see they do….They are not expensive at all. I think I will get some. Do you pour acetone into the pink tips and stick your fingers into the individual tips?
I have degenerative discs and herniation in my neck, all of which cause muscle spasm from time to time. I hope your back ends up being more manageable than mine! I had the epidural shots thrice, and not only did they not help, they hurt like nothing else! Glad you’re on the mend, and so happy to see you back and writing!
I’m happy your back and feeling better
I’ve been a bit off when it comes to nail polish these last months, I can’t even remember the last time I wore it… (yes, I’m ashamed!) But just reading this post and you sharing your passion for polish, I feel like I’ve gotten it back again. Thank you and get better!
I too love this polish and had to get it after seeing you post a sneak peek on tumblr! I just find it chips like crazy after just a day! However I didn’t load up on the top coat like you… maybe that’d help??? Did you use a base coat at all with it?
I didn’t have chipping until about Day 7. I did use a base coat, Nubar Foundation Base Coat, one of my faves. I find I get chipping if I use thick quick dry top coats with glitter. I know it does a better job of giving a glossy smooth finish but I would rather have texture if that means longer wear time. That’s why I used Out The Door. It’s nice and thin.
I was going to comment to say that this polish, while fabulous, chips on me after a day too! But I used a a thick quick dry top coat. So I guess I’ll find a couple of other top coats and see how they fare. Thanks so much! And I’m really glad you’re back, I’ve been going into ALU withdrawls, and that’s not a pretty sight!
I’m glad that you’re back and doing better!
Welcome back! Color is gorgeous! I’m addicted to black/gray/granite glitters and this one looks beautiful.
Welcome back!
Glad to hear you’re on the way to feeling better!
This looks A LOT like OPI (for Ulta) “How’s It Snowin’?” It DOES look like a ton of tiny mirrors on your finger tips! I wore it for Christmas and got a lot of great comments on it!
Welcome back Hun! You were totally missed! Good to know your feeling better. I’ve actually been thinking about seeing a specialist myself. I have some serious issue with my neck it just kills me to sit there for more than 30 min in front of a computer. Anyway, looking forward to your many more post to come (: Btw tinsel towns totally on my want list! Must remember to pick it up whenever I get a chance, It looks totally gorg.
Yes, you’re back! Welcome! I’m glad to hear you’re doing better! And wow, now I really REALLY need to crack open my Tinsel Town. It’s standing there on my desk, untried. A crime, eh?
So glad to hear you’re doing better. And congrats on reaching your halfway point. Quite an accomplishment ;0).
Tinsel Town is AH-MA-ZINGGGG!!! It’s so sparkly and pretty ;0)
Gorgeous colour! Glad you’re feeling better
Oh…that is so pretty. It looks like it is worth the removal nightmare. Congratulations on hitting the halfway mark; it is especially awesome since you have not been feeling well.
Hello!
I am glad you are back, too! I look forward to all of your posts!
And I need your expert advice on something! I posted this to your Facebook wall a few weeks ago but you were probably out of commission.
I recently went through all of my nail polishes (53 to be precise) & almost ALL of them have turned completely runny!!! (Especially my ZOYA ones!).
Most nail polish becomes thick & you have to add thinner but mine are runny! What can I do?! Some of these polishes have never been used & they are all different brands, high & low end. It would take 10+ coats or more to get an opaque finish. I can’t shake all of my polishes every single day (& I’m sure you don’t either). I’m hoping you can help! Thanks in advance!
P.S. I don’t live with anyone else/no one has highjacked my nail polish stash.
I’m sorry that I missed your post on my FB wall. I’ve honestly never heard of this happening. I’ve seen polish separate quite fast but not become thinner. You’re right it usually does become thicker. Have you been storing it in an extreme (hot or cold) temperature? Or do you live in an are of high humidity? The only thing I can think of is that you live in a climate with some sort of extreme. I wish I could be of more help.
I wonder if addition of suspension media like we buy for making Frankens and adding glitter to them so the glitter stays suspended and does not sink to the bottom of the bottle if that would help? Really odd problem. Never heard of that happening. I had some Nfu-Oh just sent to me that are thick as butter – a huge mess – ugh. But thin and going OK to thin – really odd.
So glad you’re feeling better! Congrats with your weight loss so far!
*waves hi* Glad to see you again!
I’m so glad that you are back! I’ve missed your blog so much!mi kept checking my RSS feed just to see if it was screwing up! Lol! Hope you are much better and continue to delight us all with your awesome nails!
Boy, oh, boy, have I missed your inspiration.
I’m sitting here typing with, gasp, gasp, do I dare say it aloud????? My nails are bare. There I’ve said it.
Oh, my toes are glitters though.
Now that you’re back – - – - I’ll take care of my nails tomorrow, first thing.
I’m so glad it’s not disc related! I have a horrible back and I cringed when I read that your back was hurting. I’ve been reading your blog for a while but I never comment. I love your blog and I’m glad you’re back!!! By the way, the needles are scarier looking than they really are. Maybe I’m just used to them now. They numb the area topically and then with a little shot before the big needle so you don’t feel it too badly. Girl, drugs work wonders too and I don’t blame you one bit. They save my life! =)
Been missing you and keeping you in positive thoughts. Take care and don’t over do on that back muscle. I have no front muscles (rectus abdominals – taken out as part of cancer spread) So every pull and movement and strain to just stand upright goes all to my back muscles. Being as I have limited mobility in the electric wheelchair – not good at all and I know so well how bad a back can hurt. Slow, long work to strengthen that back.
Yay! Glad on all accounts – you’re back, you’re feeling better and you’re reaching your goal! Good for you.
Can’t wait for the Fanatic Faves – 2011 had some out of the park colours and I love to see what everyone else thinks makes the grade!
Glad you’re back. Gorgeous polish. I found some of the China Glaze Ulta exclusive holiday polishes on sale the other day at Ulta. Holographic glitter– what fun! And a raspberry foil!
Welcome Back!!! ?
Hooray! Welcome back!
The polish community has missed you.
Hooray! So glad to hear you’re on the mend! I have missed ALU terribly. You are by FAR my favorite nail blogger because I love the way you write. I can tell you have a great head on your shoulders, and I look forward to great things from ALU!
Welcome back! I’ve really been missing your superb insight on nail polish! Best wishes on the recovery!
Glad you’re back!
I love Tinsel Town too, it’s just that I’ve bought way too many polishes to have it worn already, I should definitely do it soon.
I love your blog & long time reader, first time poster – wouldn’t believe my first post is NOT going to be about nail polish.
But did I hear you say, you’ve got a bad back and you’re doing ZUMBA?! That’s just crazy!!
I went through a massive Zumba phase, and landed myself at the Chiro every week for about a year – I could never figure out why. Stopped Zumba-ing & no more back problems! Some people’s spines were just not designed for the shaky shaky.
I hear you and I’m definitely being careful and doing a low impact version to see how I fare. I think a big issue for me was that I wasn’t doing enough stretching after Zumba and I have this horrible habit of sitting on my leg in my desk chair. It’s a habit I”m working very hard to break. I think that was a bigger factor than the Zumba.
Glad you’re back, and I really hope you’re getting better soon :*
Anyway, this polish is stunning! I need it
Welcome back! I got four shots in the back last week, although I don’t like needles either, but I needed to get better fast.
Tinsel Town looks really great, but I’m totally not a fan of glitter at the moment *shrugs*
WELCOME Back! Gorgeous nails as always.
Oh and congrats for the 40lbs lost. Weight watchers is a great tool. I have lost 85lbs and it feels amazing.
Oh and as for Zumba, its a great thing as well, just start off slow and build up to a harder workout, you don’t want to strain anything (I have seen people do that!).
Best wishes for 2012. I don’t usually post, but I visit regularly just so ya know
I’m definitely taking it easy with Zumba. Modifying it to a low impact version and not pushing myself. Mainly I’ve been doing a lot of stretching and yoga poses.
I think I speak for everyone else here when I say that we missed you in that not cheesy or socially required sense!
First of all, welcome back! I look forward to reading your blog, like, every day, and I’m so glad you are feeling up to it again. Secondly, as a Zumba instructor (and superfan), be careful! Try not to shake it too hard your first few times back in the game!
I’m definitely modifying the routines to make them as low impact as possible and not pushing myself. I don’t want to risk re-injuring myself.
Great! If you need any help or suggestions on how to modify, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help!
I’m so glad you’re back! I have degenerative disc disease too (& some other back probs) & those shots in the back work wonders. I know it’s scary but it literally takes just a few minutes & the pain relief can be for months. I go to Metro for mine. Anyway, I’m always here if you need a shoulder…I totally understand your pain. Email me anytime. Xo Ter
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. It’s great to know I’m not alone.
Welcome back! I missed you! I am happy you are getting better.
I am looking forward your comment about the OPI Gelcolor.
Yes, I’m very curious about OPI Gel Color. I first heard about it in May and I’ve been looking forward to trying it.
My Zoya gets thin also. I can still use them but you do have to use extra coats. In not sure why it happens. It may be climate ( I live in Houston. Hot/cold humid) related and Zoya doesn’t have formaldehyde to stabilize the product. Id rather do without the chemical and live with the thinner polish. I’ve noticed it’s the higher pigmented lacquers that are most effected.
I suffer with back issues. Mine are disc / cyst related. I still can’t sit to work., I haven’t done a manicure since August! I know how you feel. I’m so happy you are better.
You were missed very much!
I’ll have to hobble out to get this glitter. It would look adorable on my Yorkie too!
Thank you so much! I hope you find some relief soon. I would be so stir crazy if this had been going on since August.
Yay! I’m so glad that you’re back and doing better :D. That color is todiefor (yes, all one word).
Welcome back! (No pun intended. Okay, yes pun intended- I can’t help myself…)
We missed you and are so happy you’re feeling better!
This polish is a beauty! I have it and have not worn it yet because of being burned out on glitter removal- but I must persevere, because that is too awesome to put off any longer! It’s like a total ‘perk up’ for winter gray moods…
Thank you and best wishes for a healthy back!
Love it! How do you like it compared to Chanel Graphite?
Also, have you seen the Nars polish, Night Porter? It’s a dark dark green. I’m thinking of getting it, even though I’m not into green so much…thought of you when I saw it.
Glad you’re feeling better!
I LOVE Night Porter! NARS really hit it out of the part with that collection.
Graphite has a mix of silver, pale gold and pewter metallic flakes as compared to the straight up glitter in Tinsel Town. They’re very different IMO and as much as I love Graphite, Tinsel Town captured my heart and it’s very wallet friendly.
this was my NYE mani too
now I think I need to wear it away, I love the sparkles so much~
Glad to hear you’re doing better! I also wore Tinsel Town on NYE! Love it!
You’ve been missed! Please take it easy in your recovery and I look forward to hearing more from you soon! Take care.
Glad you’re feeling better! I love Tinsel Town, it’s one of my favorites from that collection.
Gorgeous glitter goodness. I’m going to have to get this one even though the thought of removing it makes me cringe.
So glad you’re doing better and found out it’s nothing serious (though that doesn’t make it FEEL better).
Yay, so happy you are back and better. That’s a really pretty color
Haha. This is the color I painted my sister in laws nails with when she was in labor. Such a pretty glitter!
Keep feeling better!!! I was told at 38 that I had “normal spinal degeneration” in my neck. Say what??
So glad you’re back
*Hugs*
Michelle I am so glad to see you are back and feeling much better. I love the color you chose for your birthday! Happy Belated. I couldn’t chose just one color for my bday coming up on Sunday. So I chose 5 colors with Holos on top. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Love love love this colour. I also wore it for new years
And by colour… I meant sparkle : )
De-lurking to say I’m glad you have returned. Congrats on your weight milestone!!
Amen! Thank God you are ok. I love Glitter too, but taking it off is the worse ever and it’s always China Glaze that does this to me. LOL. I love this color
40 lbs!!! You rock! I love China Glaze and I have been into glitter polishes lately but removal is such a b*&^tch that I rarely indulge..I might do this one though!
Glad to hear that you are feeling better. I love your website and have been enjoying it for several years. CONGRATS on your Weight Watchers accomplishment. I am a lifetime member at goal and still go every week for the support and weigh in monthly.Best part is once you are at goal it’s FREE!Wishsing you a speedy recovery!
Barbara
So I’m late to the party as usual… I’m glad you’re back! And that you opted to not take the shots. They don’t work and usually you wind up with the drug therapy anyway, so you saved yourself a step! Great work on WW, that will help to take the pressure off your back too. Just remember to take frequent breaks and stretch, sitting is the worst offender of back pain (been suffering with a herniated disc for years that I’ve finally got under control!) I look forward to all your fab posts to come, welcome back!
XXX
Suzanne
PS I’m loving China Glaze glitters more and more, just picked up “Techno” and went wild with it!
For something extra fun with tinsel town I use black underneath it. It gives you a dark polish look with LOTS of sparkle without looking too overdone.
Love this site, and loving this sparkly polish too! have you seen metallic for life from the OPI collection? its really lovely I think you will like it
Awesome, awesome, awesome charcoal/silver polish! (over a year late, I know)
Sorry to hear you had such a crappy time.
Do not take the back problems with your discs for granted! I ended up having surgery 15 years down the road. If your think muscle problems are a painful bummer, you have no idea what herniated discs are like. (On mine, morphine tablets didn’t work.) Now I’ve started wearing corsets all the time. Save yourself!! Never lift anything over 25 pounds!! I kid you not. Get some “fashionable” corsets and preserve what you still have left. Corsets keep you from twisting and keep your spine in a good, straight position.