Nail Treatments
Gel Nails – Gel Polish? Gel Hybrid? Gel Effect? Let’s Break It Down!
Gel Polish and Hybrids Breakdown
With every brand and their mother putting out a product with “GEL” in the name, nail world is becoming a very confusing place. The introduction of CND Shellac started a gel nails craze that has prompted more traditional polish brands to jack its style, producing products that promise gel-like results.
But here’s the problem. Gel Polish, Gel Hybrid, Gel Effect, Soak-Off Gel, UV Gel. What do they all mean? All this terminology makes it hard to decipher how a product applies and performs so I’m here to break down the differences for you.
Continue Reading »
The Best Base Coats for Every Nail Need
When I put together my list of current Favorite Top Coats, many of you requested to hear about the Best Base Coats in my arsenal. I actually have more top coats than base coats and that’s because I tend to stick with my tried and true faves. I test new things, of course, but, for the most part, these have become my staples.
To make sure I have all your bases covered (pun totally intended), I am sharing my favorites for long-lasting wear, ridge filling, treatment and specialty polishes.
Continue Reading »
The 5 Best Top Coats To Try Now
If there’s one product question I get more than any other, it’s about what Top Coat I use. As a blogger, I’m constantly testing new products so, my answer can change on a daily basis. However, I do have certain go-tos that I reach for over and over again and these five are the best top coats in my current rotation.
Continue Reading »
The Arsenal – Nubar Foundation Base Coat
I get a lot of questions and comments regarding the tools and treatment products I use to keep my nails healthy and in tip top shape. Since my routine changes as I test new products, I’ve launched, The Arsenal, to share with you the items that are “must haves” in my nail kit.
The bare bones basics of any good manicure is base coat, top coat and color. I’ve shared with you one of my all-time fave top coats but I’ve never dedicated a post to base coats. Obviously this is long overdue!
I’ve been a fan of CND Stickey for forever and a day. I even posted about the “Stickey Sandwich” method back when ALU was just a baby. However Stickey has a major competitor for the “holy grail” crown in Nubar Foundation Base Coat.
I’ve had bottles of Foundation Base Coat floating around the polish room for years now but it wasn’t until I ran out of Stickey that I discovered its magical powers. It doesn’t dry tacky like Stickey or Orly Bonder but Foundation Base Coat grips on like glue. I get amazing wear every time I use it. And although it’s not a ridge filler, it provides a smooth surface for the polish to glide along even in spite of my less than stellar nail beds. I told you it was magic.
Nubar Foundation Base Coat can be purchased online from ByNubar.com for $6.99. The shipping is steep though so I suggest banding together with some friends to hit the $75 limit for free shipping.
Introducing CND Shellac Hybrid Nail Color
Exciting news Fanatics! On my last day in NYC I tweased (tweet teased) about a secret nail service I received. I randomly mentioned it here as well and now I can finally share it with you.
CND is launching a brand new product that will make you DIY manicurists seriously consider going back to the nail salon. It’s so amazingly different that if I didn’t write this blog I would be a regular customer and that’s saying a LOT. I’m proud to introduce you to Shellac™!
CND (Creative Nail Design), the leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty, is proud to introduce the first hybrid nail color after nearly five years of development in its state-of-the-art laboratory. Now you can say good-bye to chips, smudges, and dry time and say hello to Shellac™ Hybrid Nail Color! This revolutionary product applies like polish, wears flawlessly for 14 days of high gloss shine, and is removed in minutes.
If long lasting wear and polish-like application don’t draw you in, the removal certainly will. Check out my experience with Shellac™ and learn more about this revolutionary product after the jump!
Continue Reading »
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
