I have a confession to make. I am incapable of painting my own nails.  No matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I focus, they come out looking like I painted them while going through serious caffeine withdrawal. The polish never seems to dry in a timely manner and I always smudge it within minutes. 90% of the time, I end up taking the polish off just moments after application.  The times that I find the application good enough to make a public appearance, it chips, peels and generally looks awful within a day. The heart breaker is, I LOVE when my nails are painted, especially in wild, funky colors. I know what you’re thinking “Just go get a manicure like every other red blooded American woman!” And to that I say “I’m cheap!” and I honestly do not enjoy manicures (or pedicures) at all.

Well, Sally Hansen must have gotten wind of my predicament. OK, maybe they didn’t only have me in mind, perhaps there are other women like me.  Those who love crazy nails, but can’t seem to handle the simple task of painting them themselves and refuse to pay for someone else to do it.  Either way, Sally Hansen has created Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips.

Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  From “Aflorable” (floral pattern) to “Wild Child” (zebra print) there are colors and patters (including glitter) to suit every style. I went with “Mad For Plaid”  a simple plaid in cute, springy colors.

The “kit” includes two packs of strips (16 strips in total) with all different sizes, to fit every nail, a nail file/buffer and a wooden cuticle stick.  The directions are pretty simple.

You start by prepping your nails. Make sure your nails are clean and dry, the push back your cuticles with the cuticle stick. Shape nails with file and use the white end of the file to buff the nail surface. Finally, wipe nails with polish remover. (I actually skipped this step for two reasons. 1-I didn’t have any remover and 2-being pregnant, I avoid stuff with strong odors.)

The strips themselves look like stickers, but are actually more like rub on decals, made of nail polish. They definitely have the standard nail polish scent, however it isn’t as strong as the “real” stuff.

You find the correct size to fit the nail, then you peel off the clear cover, and peel the strip of the backing. If you’re not careful, the strip could fold onto itself, which would ruin the strip. Press the strip onto your nail, smoothing it out as you go. Then take the flat end of the cuticle stick and run it along the edges to make sure there is a good seal. Finally fold the excess strip over the edge of the nail and file it down, gently.

I was quite satisfied with the result.  In the end I had cute, evenly colored nails.  I didn’t shed any tears, I didn’t huff with frustration, my husband didn’t complain about me getting nail polish on the table, it was a win-win situation.  And all for the very fair price of $8.00.

I really liked how easy these strips were to apply, and the number of color and pattern options that are available.   So far they have held up a bit better than standard nail polish does for me (Like I mentioned, polish usually chips or peels off my nails by the next day) And, I think $8.00 is a pretty reasonable price considering the amount I’d pay to go to a nail spa to have them painted (and they’d chip by the time I got to the car anyway).  Also?  Check out Amazon… I found some Salon Effects as cheap as $3.07!!!

I’ve had my Salonn Effects on for about a week now and there is only minimal “chipping” at the edges of my nails. I will definitely use Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips again!

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Sally Hansen Nail Effects

I had to run to the local corner drug store to pick up some diabetes supplies for my kids. Turns out there was a line at the pharmacy so I went meandering through the store while I waited for my prescriptions. As I strolled up and down the aisles I noticed these crazy little boxes in the nail polish section. There were animal prints, tie dye, swirls, patterns…. you name it! A closer look revealed that these were the new line of nail decor called  Sally Hansen Salon Effects. They looked pretty cool. What roller girl wouldn’t want fishnets on her nails as well as her legs? It was a little pricey: I spent $10 on just one small box of these. I picked the tie dye pattern.

When I got home, I was instantly attacked by the Eldest who saw what was in the bag. Since she is a rabid nail polish fan, I decided to let her help out with this review. Many of the designs appeal to the younger demographic and I wanted to see if this product would hold up to a typical teenager’s daily grind. We sat down in the living room and got to work.

You open the tiny box and see there are two sealed packets of the nail decals, a multi faceted nail file, and a wood stick. The directions are also folded as tightly as possible, so it took a moment to get them out and in a readable condition. They instructed that you need to use the multi nail file to  shape and buff your nails first, then swipe the nails with nail polish remover to ensure a clean surface to adhere the nail decals to. That’s where the easy of this product ends. The polish decals are shaped like your nails. Basically, you pick the shape that best fits your nail, peel off the clear top cover and the backing, and apply it to your nail. Unfortunately, the nail decal is extremely thin and susceptible to the slightest breeze. Our ceiling fan happened to be on and the moving air folded the first decal sheet over on itself rendering it unusable. After successfully getting  a decal sheet on one nail, you use the wooden stick to smooth out any bumps or air pockets, and finally use a specific side of the multi file to file off the excess decal that goes past your nail tip.

I watched Eldest struggle with putting the decals on her nails. I’m quite sure she’d have said a naughty word if I hadn’t been in the room. I also put on two of the decals. One on my left thumb and another on my right ring finger. The plan was, now that the decals were applied, to wear them for the weekend and then assess how they fared. They didn’t even make it that far!  By the time dinner was finished and we had gone out to get ice cream Eldest was exasperated. She came up to me and said, “Sorry Mom.” as she started peeling the nail decals off. In just a few hours on the fingers of a teenager they had already chipped, frayed, and started peeling up. An hour or so after that, the decal on my right ring finger began peeling up. I still have the left thumb, but it’s frayed and chipped as well. I don’t see it lasting too much longer.

So, if you’re looking for something special for maybe a big night on the town or perhaps a look for Halloween, these would be a good choice, but really, for everyday wear they just aren’t practical and at anywhere from $7 to $12 per box, I’m not going to be running right out to buy more. I’ll save up and go to the nail salon instead.

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About The Author:  Wife, Mom, Roller Derby Queen. She's not your typical Domestic Goddess! Living in Valrico Florida with her husband HHH and three kids, Blondefabulous, better known as Nicole, stays busy writing, cooking, baking, and playing Blocker for the Bradentucky Bombers Roller Derby League. She also helps with training for the Bradenton Derby Brats and writes a blog called Blondefabulocity. She brings a radical view to beauty, shopping, & fashion when it's mixed with fishnets, tattoos, & roller skates! Blog: Blondefabulocity http://blondefabulocity.blogspot.com On Twitter: @blondefabulous https://twitter.com/#!/blondefabulous Roller Derby Fan Page: Blondefabulous of the SRG https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blondefabulous-of-the-SRG/112622162097711

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10 Great Gift Ideas For A Fashionista

1. Magazine Subscriptions – Give the gift that keeps on giving – 12 months of fashion, style, and inspiration in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, British Vogue, Lucky and other fashion & style magazines.

Bonus: Super affordable and no wrapping!

Fashionista Nina knows what she's talking about.

2. Nina Garcia’s Look Book $13.97 – Advice on what to wear for every occasion from the fashion director of Marie Claire and Project Runway judge, Nina Garcia. She’s smart, chic, and sharp tongued. Who wouldn’t take fashion advice from Nina?

3. Charm Bracelets - Charm bracelets are back in a big way. There are lots of fashionable variations (like this Juicy Couture braclet/necklace combo) and personalization shows that you put time and effort into your gift selection.

Bonus: Years of gift giving are in the bag! Mark memorable occasions with new charms!

Sample the hottest polish colors with these minis!

4. Sephora by OPI $48 – Nail polish is an accessory just like a fabulous bracelet or necklace. The Sephora by OPI gift set includes 18 mini nail colors, from the lady-like to the daring, that compliment any outfit.

5. Gift cards – Fashionistas are one of the few people I recommend buying gift cards for. Style can be really personal, and you don’t want to buy the wrong size or color. If you ‘re going to give gift cards, make sure it’s for somewhere with a wide selection (like Sephora, Simon Malls, or a department store) and that the dollar amount covers the cost of whatever you had in mind for the person (say a new purse or pair of boots).

Vroom Vroom: these driving gloves are functional & fashionable!

6. Echo ‘Driver Touch’ Gloves $35 – Gloves make a fantastic gift because you can buy a high-end name brand for a reasonable price (check TJ Maxx for brands like Coach and Michael Kors). I love the classic driving style and bold colors of these Echo wool gloves. So chic.

Bonus: Textured pads on the thumb and index finger allows you to use your iPhone and other touch devices!

7. TOMS shoes $54 – TOMS have a cult following, and these Glitter TOMS are so versatile and sparkly that anyone can see why.

Bonus: For every pair you purchase, TOMS gives a pair to a child in need!

8. Vintage Purse Camera Strap $30 – Photography and fashion seems to go hand-in-hand thanks to the boom in fashion blogging. What better way to make your camera fashionable than with a strap that looks like it’s straight from a vintage purse (namely one that rhymes with FoFo Fanel)!

9. Gem Headphones $29.50 – Not only are these Orbit Gem Hearphones from Delight.com slim and functional, they look gorgeous and demure.

Everything you need for a fashion emergency.

10. Miniemergency Kit $11.95 – Every fashionista need to be prepared for the worst – unraveling hems, broken nails, runs in tights. The Miniemergency Kit from Kitson is adorable and contains all the necessities: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, sewing kit, double-sided tape, stain remover, deodorant, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and bandages.

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Le vernis Nail Colour in Paradoxal by Chanel

My mom tried everything to get me to stop biting my nails as a kid. Neither manicures to show me how pretty my nails could be (if only I’d take my damn fingers out of my mouth!) nor foul tasting nail polish (which wasn’t so foul tasting after you got used to it) could break my habit. I was hardcore.

It wasn’t until recently, when I discovered Nail Tek, that my nails became presentable. Long and strong and perfect for polishing!

Since then, I’ve learned to embrace nail polish. It compliments your outfit, reflect you personal style, and can pull together a look in a snap. This fall’s coolest nail polish colors aren’t as harsh as last year (no red-blacks or royal blues) but they are just as brooding and moody in shades of greige (gray + beige).

Here are some of my favorite nail polish colors (at a variety of price points) for fall.

Paradoxal by Chanel is this season’s “it manicure” and is sure to sell out. It’s an iridescent, gray-violet hue that makes for a surprising neutral and was spotted on several celebrities during Fashion Week (Jessica Simpson occasionally gets something right).

Merino Cool by Essie

If dropping $25 on a bottle of nail polish isn’t in your budget, you can find similar shades at your corner drugstore and look just as chic.

Merino Cool by Essie has that same gray-violet hue without the sparkle and is universally flattering, no matter your skin-tone. The whole Essie Fall 2010 Collection is perfect for fall, and even includes Limited Addiction red for the holidays.

OPI makes an entire line of fabulous polishes for Sephora, but Metro Chic is this season’s standout color. It’s a smokey gray with a hint of purple that looks gorgeous with olive complexions.

Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen has a great color out called Wet Clay that’s flying off the shelves – so keep your eyes peeled! Mudslide by Sally Hansen is another great creamy option if Tracy Reese is nowhere to be found.

If you prefer more neutral colors, You Don’t Know Jacques! by OPI and e.l.f. nail polish in nude are two colors from last spring that are still going strong.

Will you be sporting greige polish this fall?

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My new favorite polish

I have a new favorite nail polish:

OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark

It’s almost black, but not quite.  It’s a very, very, very deep purple and I absolutely love the way it looks on my toes.  It makes me feel like I’m pulling off something a little edgier than my normal red (which is OPI I’m Not Really A Waitress Red thanks to Becky) or pink (which is rare and only worn if I’m wearing pink or let my daughter pick out my polish.)  But it’s not actually black because actual black looks a little too “I cover my walls with my own poetry because my life is so hard.”

Some women can wear an actual black and look sexy.  I am not one of those women.  But Lincoln Park After Dark is, I daresay, sexy on me.

Of course, as luck would have it, my favorite new nail polish is damn near impossible to find.  Locally, I’ve only been able to purchase it at nail salons, including an open bottle I paid $8 for because it was the only way I could get my hands on it.  (My husband bought a sealed bottle the same day, unbeknownst to me, from another nail salon.)  Online, this particular color isn’t available at any of my usual haunts.  The only place I’ve been able to find it is Amazon – for about the same price once you throw in shipping.

Click here to buy Lincoln Park After Dark on Amazon.

PRO TIP: while searching for a bottle in my local mall, I came across Lincoln Park After Dark in matte.  This is not the same thing and I would not recommend this ever unless – well, no.  Ever.  Ew.

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Not Really A Waitress

It’s been years since I painted my fingernails with anything but a clear coat.

My toenails?  Pretty those babies up with reds and pinks and purples!

But my fingers?  No way.

There is nothing tackier than chipped fingernail polish, and even a manicure from the Ritz Carlton spa cannot make colored nail polish stay on my fingers.  The last time I had a manicure was on the way to the airport before a weekend trip.  By the time I reached the hotel in my destination city, my polish was chipped and peeling.

I vowed then and there to never paint my nails again.

Luckily, last spring I discovered how to fix my soft, peeling nails and make my natural manicure look beautiful.  What I didn’t realize at the time was that I held the key to my polish woes.

I apply Nail Tek II Nailcare to my fingernails almost every day.  Once a week I wipe down my nail beds with nail polish remover and start over.  It’s given me longer, stronger nails than I’ve ever had in my life.

Last week, I picked up a new bottle of Nail Tek II and happened to read the back of the packaging.

“APPLY DAILY as a top coat over polish.”

Could it be?

(...)
Read the rest of Nail Polish That Doesn’t Chip? Oh, yeah.

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