Posts tagged nail polish
More OPI Shatter and Nail Art
12 years ago
Not long ago I posted about OPI’s Shatter nail polish (OPI: Black Shatter for Katy Perry and Serena Williams), the cool thing about this type of nail polish is that it shatters as it dries creating a very unique look. It was great, but only came in black; not anymore, OPI is now offering six new colors that Shatter and give you the coolest look.
Another great thing for your nails created by OPI for Sephora is Nail Art by Sophy Robson. It gives you a step-by-step guide and videos on how to create the coolest nail styles. All the materials you need to create the looks can be purchased at Sephora.
After checking out the looks and the how-to videos I was so excited I just had to try them, so using the nail polishes I already have in my collection I re-created Wild Giraffe and Punk Cheetah. Of course they don’t look as great as the do on the pictures, but I liked them. I used my cat as background for my nails.
The Nail Art Guide is very easy to follow and now I’m looking forward on trying the Cherry Blossom look.
Nail Polish Strips
13 years ago
Recently you might have noticed in your favorite drug-store, grocery store or beauty supply shop a display containing a new product from Sally Hansen called Salon Effects.
Skeptical at first I had to try them and now I can’t stop showing off my nails. I was lucky enough to find Lace one of their most popular designs. Even though it was my first time using the product and I did it slowly, I was able to put them on in about 10 minutes. All you need is a clean nail and no drying time since I didn’t need to apply a base or top coat.
I deliberately mistreated my nails to see just how much the strips could stand. I cleaned and scrubbed without gloves (huge no-no for me) but my nails still looked great. Another thing I liked about the design is that every nail looks slightly different, which makes it look more professional.
Another advantage is that the strip protects your nail against breaking. I noticed all my nails grew the same length with the strips. Taking them off was not as easy as taking off nail polish, I did need to use more cotton and remover than I normally do, but I was able to take it all off.
Sephora by OPI also launched their own strips that complements their Glee collection with designs such as Navy & White Polka Dots, Music Notes and Gold Stars.
In the long run the nail polish strips could get pricey since each box will contain enough strips for only one application and for the same or lower price you can get nail polish that will last longer. But overall this is a great way to get your nails done quickly at a fraction of the time and cost of a nail salon.
Of course, if you much prefer going to a salon and having a professional pamper you with a mani/pedi and gorgeous nails, then check for salons that offer the Minx line of fashion strips, which is all the rage among the stars now. Minx is not sold to the public, only licensed professionals can buy them and they require heat so they can be applied. The cool thing about Minx is the variety and details of their designs. According to my manicurist Minx lasts up to two weeks; I might give them a try next time I go my favorite nail salon.
Finally, this is my very first attempt at a Vlog, and in it I’m showing off my nails decorated with Sally Hansen’s Lace design. It was hard not to show them off, especially since everywhere I went women commented on my nails and I was more than happy to tell them all about it as I looked at my nails with pride.
Shatter and Shellac
13 years ago
First I want to give an update about Black Shatter from OPI. I bought the Serena Williams Glam Slam online and as soon as it arrived I tried it on.
The product works exactly as it should, it was very easy to apply and the effect came out immediately. Each nail had a different pattern and expect the polish to feel bumpy because of the shatter effect. As always I used a base and top coat and the polish lasted for about 5 days without chipping.
I tried Black Shatter with other polishes, even though it does work well, it looks better when you use the glittery polish underneath like the ones in the Katy Perry line.
And talking about unique nail polishes, I recently had a manicure at this really cool and tiny nail salon called The Nail Bar @6th in downtown San Diego where they specialize in natural mani/pedi. They used coffee to soak the hands and feet and sugar as a scrub, the results were great!
In this salon I was introduced to Shellac, a registered trademark of CND, sold only to licensed professionals so your best bet is to find a nail saloon that offers it. The unique thing about Shellac is that it a hybrid between gel and nail polish and lasts up to 14 days without chipping or fading.
The process of getting the Shellac can last up to 30 minutes since the manicurist applies coat after coat of the specialized polish and needs to let your nails cure in a UV lamp between each coat. Salons are encouraged to charge extra for this service, but for a busy woman, this can be worth it since you won’t have to worry for 2 weeks at least.
The end result will be nails with a very thick coat, which will actually protect your natural nail and encourage growth. To remove the Shellac it is encouraged to do it at the nail salon, but you can probably do it at home following these instructions I found on YouTube.
Personally I liked it, but its not my thing to have one color too long. I’m addicted to changing my nail polish colors at least twice a week and after one week I took the Shellac off. So I can’t really say if the 2 weeks on my hands is real, but I can say that I had the appointment 3 weeks ago and the Shellac on my toes still looks perfect.
I probably will use it again when I go on vacation or a business trip just so I don’t have to worry about the maintenance and can concentrate on the important stuff (fill in the blank as you wish).
OPI: Black Shatter for Katty Perry and Serena Williams
13 years ago
The latest from OPI are these awesome colors made celebrities Katty Perry and Serena Williams. Recently I read an article in Vogue “She’s got game” where the interviewer received a manicure from Serena Williams. She’s really into getting her degree and knowing everything there is to know about the industry.
Now in partnership with OPI she has the Glam Slam collection.The first from the collection is a green lacquer called Simply Smashing with Black Shatter to complete the duo.
The same effect can be achieved with the Katy Perry collection. With colors such as Teenage Dream, Not Like the Movies, Last Friday Night and The One that Got Away combined with Black Shatter.
This new look is hard to find. I checked on several beauty supply stores in San Diego who carry the OPI line and most didn’t have either of these collections. Finally I found one that did, but according to the beauty assistant, they sell out very quickly. They should get a new shipment next week and several people are already waiting for it. I’ll be sure to be there and get one for myself so I can tell you more about it. Stay tuned!
NARS Spring 2011 Collection
13 years ago
Even though I love the spring/summer weather and fashion, my favorite colors come with the autumn/winter collections. But looking at some of the upcoming Spring Collections, I’m starting to reconsider. NARS Cosmetics Spring collection is full of awesome colors, in his own words:
Spring 2011 is the epitome of minimalism, reaching a sensual peak with fresh, forward color. Jeweled earth tones are infused with a metallic finish that lends a subtly sleek finish. Cool compliments of sheer and sparkling lips pair with unexpected accents of parrot green and vivid blue.
And here is what part of the collection looks like, not sure if I can pull off Parrot Green on my eyelids, but I’m definitely going for the Golden Desperado Nail Polish and the Deep Purple Nana Lip Gloss.
Spring 2011: OPI and Orly Collections
13 years ago
Soon it will be time to put away those glorious dark nail polish colors we used during autumn and winter and give way for the new spring / summer collection from my favorite brands OPI and Orly. I collected the following information from the blogosphere and not in stores yet, this is a sneak preview of what will come in March / April time-frame.
Featuring:
- Pure Porcelain
- Gilded Coral
- Fancy Fuchsia
- Ancient Jade
- Sapphire Silk
- Royal Velvet
Featuring:
- Austin-tatious Turquoise
- Big Hair…Big Nails
- Do You Think I’m Tex-y
- Don’t Mess with OPI
- Guy Meets Gal-veston
- Houston We Have a Purple
- I Vant to be a A-Lone Star
- It’s Totally Fort Worth It
- San Tan-tonio
- Suzi Loves Cowboys
- Too Hot Pink to Hold’Em
- Y’all Come Back Ya Hear
The following are some of OPI’s separate collections and must admit I wasn’t too thrilled that GLEE and Justin Bieber are the faces behind the collections, but the colors actually look pretty cool and some will benefit a good cause.
Nicole By OPI
The One Less Lonely Girl Collection
This one has Justin Bieber behind it and supports the Pencils of Promise charity, which is dedicated to build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world.
Sephora by OPI
Each shade representing a character of the TV Show. Featuring:
- Diva-in-Training (Santana Lopez
- Slushied (Finn Hudson)
- Hell to the No (Mercedes Jones)
- Mash Up (Will Schuester)
- Who Let the Dorks Out (Sue Sylvester)
- Miss Bossy Pants (Rachel Berry)
- Gleek Out (Kurt Hummel)
I already saw several colors I just need! But in the meantime I’ll be stocking up on the awesome winter collection colors while they last.
A Vintage Nail Polish Collection by NARS
13 years ago
NARS recently launched their latest limited edition nail polish collection, this time in “Vintage Nail Shade.” These five metallic colors are named after iconic movies from the 1990’s. It’s kind of ridiculous that they are calling the colors vintage, because in my mind, we’re decades away from the 90’s becoming vintage.
The nail polishes are named: Full Metal Jacket, Zulu, Midnight Express, King Kong, and MASH. According to our archives, these nail colors originally debuted in the late nineties, though I certainly do not remember any of these colors, do you?
You can pick the Nars Nail Polishes up for $16 at a handful of department stores, here’s a link to the collection at Barneys.
Style Bust’s older post on Nars nail colors.
OPI Rocker Chick and Swiss Collection
13 years ago
As if I didn’t have enough nail polish colors at home, OPI just introduced two new lines that are just too yummy to miss. For Sephora by OPI they introduced a mini set called Rocker Chick, with awesome colors that look strong and metallic. I always love the names of the colors, this mini collection includes: Fiercely Fabulous, Just a Little Dangerous, Already Famous, and Go My Own Way. They will give your nails a real kick.
Also, for the Fall/Winter 2010 season, OPI is introducing the Swiss Collection:
“Beyond the borders of a classic neutral palette into a new zone where refined shades of rich color become the definitive go-to hues to wear every day.”
The names of the colors include: Color so hot it berns, From A to Z-urich, Ski teal we drop, Glitzerland, Yodel me on my cell, Cuckoo for this color and many others. With a selection like this, what’s a girl to do?
You can purchase these colors at Sephora, the Rocker Chick Mini Collection retails for $18, and the Swiss Collection can be bought in your local beauty supply store or at www.nailpolishpro.com, where each polish retails for $7.99.