Show and Tell

A reminder to enter my Katy Perry Collection give away here.  It ends this coming Friday.  

Now back to the polish

I wanted to share with you some of the traditional polishes that I got along with my gel kit which I already shared with you. 

 Color Club Volt of Light and Feelin' Groovy which as you can see look fabulous under the China Glaze Crackle polishes.  Speaking of which...

 China Glaze Crackle!  Broken Hearted, Crushed Candy, Lightning Bold and Fault Line.  (Since I already have Black Shatter I passed on the black)

 Serena Williams duo by OPI  Simply Smashing and Black Shatter

 OPI Royal Rajah Ruby and Black Cherry Chutney

 OPI I Vant to be A-Lone Star (Texas Collection) and Nicole by OPI's Step to the Beat of My <3

 Another two of OPI's Texas Collection I wanted.  San Tan-Tonio and Suzi Loves Cowboys

 On clearance at Ulta I got OPI's Parlez-Vous OPI? and Done Out in Deco two very pretty lavenders.

 Here we have Orly It's Up to Blue and Razzle

And finally, last but not least Austen-tatious Turquoise and Revlon's Not so Blueberry

I would like to thank the IRS for making this polish shopping possible.  Hopefully this will hold me through my polish diet until I can afford to shop again.  :)  Thanks all for stopping by.  Take care. 

Soak Off Gel Nails

I've mentioned on several occasions that I keep a thin layer of acrylic over my natural nails to keep them from breaking.  While this is a bit of a stigma in a nail world that pushes "natural",  without this support my super thin nails would keep me at down to the quick nubbins so natural isn't the best option for me since I prefer some length.
 
I'd been discussing gel vs acrylic with the guy at my nail supply store and he recommended I try the newer soak off gels since they would add strength without the bulk and they are supposed to cause less damage. (I'm on the fence on this one since acrylics cause minimal damage if done properly.)

Since I do my own acrylics I couldn't see putting my nails in the hands of the great unknown of a nail salon for gels (too many scary videos on YouTube about improper practices, unsavory personal experiences with salons, and just too much $$) so I figured if I ever got a UV lamp I'd give it a try.

Here is the video I found for the product I decided to use.

Yesterday I took the plunge and picked up the stuff for a basic gel mani,  a lamp at Sally's and dove in.

 My supplies: 

Light, Nail Prep (from the makers of Gellish brand) Gelac base coat, Snow Fall and Top Coat.

Here's what I'm hoping to get from gels

• Simpler application and removal
  
• Strong yet more "natural" looking nails (ie not as thick as acrylic and minimal growth ridges)
• No lifting at the edges or popping up at the nail base
• Cleaner/easier removal of traditional polish

For starters I love that you can just brush this stuff on like you would polish.  No shaping, filing etc like you do with acrylics and for me at least it takes significantly less time.

Now I know there are some glitches here but they were my first attempt so be kind, but I really am liking the gel so far.  Obviously it isn't as thick or ridged as the acrylic so I'm having to get used to having some flexation (is that a word? Who cares, it works here)  of my nails.  And the shine is quite simply amazing.  Like nothing I could hope to achieve without umpteen layers of top coat.  I'm really interested to see how it works with wear and removal of traditional polish over the top of it.

Pardon the flubs, but look how nice and thin. 

So this is day one with gels, time will be the judge on how well they wear, if they actually protect my nails the way acrylics do.  

Jobe nail stickers with Seche Vite top coat

I would say that each hand takes about 20 minutes from prep to top coat cure (It would be 10 but they recommend doing the thumbs separately) and since I always had one hand under the light I have to do one at a time.  Still, less than an hour for gorgeous shiny nails...  I'm totally down so far. 

Do any of you do your own gel nails?

Oh, and just a quick reminder if you got all the way to the end of my post here.  Don't forget to enter my 100+ follower give away.  The entire Katy Perry collection is up for grabs!  

100+ Follower Give Away!!!! - Closed

Ok Ladies...Um and maybe Gents ~_^  Let's get this show on the road shall we?

courtesy of zazzle

Welcome to my 100+ follower give away.  

Up for grabs is the New Katy Perry Collection complete with Black Shatter.   This IS open internationally!!

You want??  You know you do.  

You have to be a follower to enter but here's how you can win!!

1.  If you are NOT set as a No Reply, meaning I can reply to your comments via email, that is an automatic entry.
It also means you don't have to leave me your email address in the comment body for everyone and their pet gerbil to see and I'm all about privacy.  
No Reply, what's that, you ask? Dirt basic info is on my right sidebar "I Love Comments" note.  It's a deliciously handy tool and well worth using if your serious about blogging.  

2.  Comment on this post telling me how very much you love my blog or how much you want to win...or whatever.  :) That's another entry.

3.  Blog about my give away or  post me in your sidebar, then come back and give me the link (Yes, I will be checking) That's yet another entry.

4.  Twitter about my give away, leave me a linky (again, I will be checking)  That's another entry!


So that's it.  FOUR chances to win! Easy schmeasy right? ...Of course you can always bribe me with chocolate...Juuuust kidding.  I think, I really do love chocolate.  :)

I'm going to let this run until the end of next week, so  March 4th midnight, mountain time is the final cut off to enter and I'll announce the winner that following Monday. 

Just so you knows: 

I am not affiliated with OPI in any way.  These polishes were purchased by me with my own hard earned money, that's how much I love you all. 

Shipping.  I always go for the lowest rate so don't expect it next day.  Also, once it's out of my hands and in the hands of the post office, that's where my responsibility ends.  I'll pack it up pretty and safe but I'm not responsible for damaged or ( heaven forbid) lost items.

I reserve the right to add items to this list as I see fit.

A Little Peek

My head and chest cold turned into a massive sinus infection.  I have been so out of it I have really neglected my poor nail blog and lovely followers, Let me show you how I plan to make it up to you though.
 
This is what I'm planning for my 100+ follower give away.  It's on order from a local supplier who loves me for a killer price I can't mention and should be here next week, gotta love a good deal right? 
Ok, onto the goods. 

Drum Roll Please!

Do you see that bit of lovely in the back???

Oh yes it is!

That would be the full Katie Perry Collection.  :)  

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So stay tuned Peeps and you could get these grand goods!  Thanks for reading and sticking with me.

An Almost Belated Happy Valentines Day

it's been a week and my cold is still hanging on like mad.  I think it may be almost time to go visit a Dr. UG!  I did get sick enough of my bare nails to dress them properly for the holiday, and you get to see my rarely seen right hand today.  Rarely seen because well... I'm right handed so it usually doesn't look as good as my left. It's seen it's share of accidents the worst being a massive slamming of fingers in a door, trip to ER never looked quite right since and lastly because when I try to take pics with my left hand they usually come out shaky.  So be kind because for some reason my left hand turned out really poorly while my right hand was quite good as right hands go. That being said...

I think Black Shatter over The One That Got Away is great whether for Valentines Day or "Singles Awareness Day"  whichever you observe.  Since I had to work this weekend (I need the money so I just went and holed up in my office so as not to pass this crud  onto anyone else) my sweety and I plan to celebrate next weekend.  Meanwhile I'm writing him love notes on the bathroom mirror with dry erase markers.  :D

 I really like this combination.  I haven't tried the others but this seems that it would be the most dramatic combo of the collection.

 You can see how I started out with a fairly thin coat of Black Shatter on my pinky then as I figured out how it worked I gradually applied thicker coats.  My thumb is my favorite.

This was two coats of The One That Got Away in case you were wondering.

This collection pretty much speaks for it's self.  I can't think of anything to add to all the reviews that have already been done so I won't try.  Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines/Singles Awareness Day!
Thanks for sticking with me this week with my short and sweets, give me another day or so and I'm sure I'll be back in the game.

OPI - Friar Friar Pants on Fire!

Love me some OPI

 Two coats.  The top pic is color accurate. 

This bottom pic shows the gold shimmer pretty well.  So pretty!

China Glaze - Ingrid Revisited

Most of you have probably already seen this polish but I think it's worth re-visiting.  If you don't have it, consider getting it.  It's a beautiful greige with a killer gold shimmer.

Two coats.  Applies like a dream. 

Savina - Coppersville

A gorgeous color by Savina.  This pic is very color accurate.  Two coats.

I get these at TJ Maxx although only one of the stores near me carries them.  I'm not sure where else it's available but it's less than $4USD and of a pretty good quality.  I've never had any streak or drag issues with them.  Their colors are fairly mainstream with a handful of eye catchers. 

Color Club - Resort to Red

Bleh, I have a horrid head and chest cold and am beyond miserable so forgive my lack of posting.  I haven't forgotten that I need to throw a bit of a bash, I just need to get back on my feet. 

I will admit that currently I have no polish on my nails, the smell sends me into coughing fits.  And get this, I bashed my thumb up pretty good somehow (don't you just hate when you can't recall how you injured yourself?) so it's all bruised and nasty looking.

I do have some pics that have been sitting in limbo for whatever reason so I'm going to use those as some short and sweet fillers until I'm feeling more human again. 

 Love this color, this is Color Club Resort to Red

 Two coats

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 Thanks for sticking with me.  Have a good one!

I've Got The Golden Ticket!

NOOOOO not that Golden Ticket!!!  

This Golden Ticket!

This is a limited edition polish  from what I believe is their fall 2010 collection and it's oh so pretty.  It reminds me of white hills gold, you know the pinkish gold that they mix with silver and the yellow gold.  I love love the sparkle.

 What I don't love is that it's sooo very sheer.  This was four coats and you can still see a  VNL (Visible Nail Line)!  Worth it though?  I think so. 

Look at that shimmer!

It was only color in the collection that really begged me to buy it, there were a couple of others that I liked but I won't be heart broken if I don't get them.
  Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.  Have a lovely day!

I've Been Busy

I've been trying to organize my blog.  You'll notice in my polish page I'm trying to update it as well as link up the names with swatches.  It's going to be a looong road since I don't have a lot of patience.  It made me realize that I have a LOT of polishes that I've never worn/posted about.  I'm hoping to rectify that.  Meanwhile I've also been working on this little project.

There are 20 nails per wheel which made me realize that I have over 300 polishes!!!  Holy cow, I know  this may not be a lot to some people, but its enough to crowd my kitchen table.   I need to find a new home base so we can eat at the table again...not that we will, we're so low key but it would be nice having the option.  :-D

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I've been a wee bit bad and been buying polishes when I really shouldn't.  Here are some of the new ones that will hopefully be swatched for your viewing pleasure soon. 

 

Some vampy shades by Ulta

 

China Glaze and a new Sally Hansen

 The last of the Burlesque Collection to make mine complete!  There's another suede there too.

 Scented?  We shall see!

And finally my first Essence, an older OPI and a lovely Color Club. 

Thanks for stopping by and reading my little ramble.  I hope you have a lovely day!!

To Suede or Not to Suede-Comparing OPI Ink & Ink Suede

Picture Heavy!

Happy February everyone, can you believe that we've already finished a month?  To quote the great Kermit, "Time's fun when you're having flies".  Ok, ok, enough groaning, I'll get on with the polish.  :)

In the final throes of my birthday money spending I visited Ulta and picked up OPI Ink in the suede finish. I already had the original Ink at home but when I got home and compared the two they look to be two totally different colors. Give me your OPI-nion if you would. 

In the bottle I see the Ink Suede is a lot cooler in tone and a lighter shade of blue, also there is a load of silver shimmer that is not seen in the original which has an almost fuchsia shimmer.  This really came out when I went to do my clean up, the stuff was everywhere and a huge pain to clean off.

For starters I have the suede on all but my ring finger which has regular OPI Ink but then I put a clear coat over the top of the suede on my index finger to see how that changed the dynamics of the color.

This is two coats of each suede and original. I use China Glaze Fast Forward top coat on my ring and index fingers. The suede dried really quickly and I worry about how quickly it will dry in the bottle just from regular use.

You'll notice how while the clear coat over the suede did deepen the color it certainly didn't bring out the deeper purple and fuchsia-y-ness of the original.

Very different no??

So do these look like variations on the same color or two totally different colors ?  In my mind if you're going to have a polish and give it the name of an existing polish only have it be a different finish...it should be the same color of the existing polish with a different finish...Is my thought process wrong here?

Now I'm sure you're all looking at my ragged cuticals and having heart palpitations of horror, but I have an excuse, the little tag on the suede stated that (a) The polish wouldn't wear as long as regular polish. (b) Not to use top coats, drying agents or LOTIONS when wearing it. Um, yeah so that's why things look a rough in the pics, I used acetone to do my clean up then just washed with plain water. After the photo shoot my hands were not happy so I broke out the lotion... what's the point in having pretty nails if your hands are ugly anyway?

So there is your side by side comparison of OPI's original and suede Ink.  I hope you found it interesting if not useful.  Thanks so much for reading and have a grand day!