Archive for April, 2009
The Arsenal – China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier
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’m launching a new series, The Arsenal, to share with you the items that are “must haves” in my nail kit.
Let’s kick off The Arsenal with China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier, a new addition to my list of staples. Being that I put my hands though hell and high water with all the polish swatching, my nails end up pretty wrecked looking on a highly productive day. We’re talking dry and prone to breaking/splitting. Since I’m already at a nail health disadvantage due to my DDS (Danny Devito Syndrome), I need a product that not only works in the long term but also provides a quick fix. Enter Calcium Gel Fortifier.
Its blend of Vitamin B and Wheat Protein totally rejuvenates my nail beds. I swear, it’s like a facial for the nails. Shall we call it a nail-cial? Even if it’s only overnight, I slap a couple coats of Fortifier on my nails and when I take it off in the a.m. for some early morning swatching, the surface of my tips feel smoother. And when I force myself to take a sanity (those polish fumes can make a girl wacky) and nail health break, I see a major difference in how quickly my tips grow using the Fortifier. Plus it makes my naked nails look incredibly shiny. I’m telling you, it’s like magic and stuff!
China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier retails for $3.99 online at e-tailers TransDesign.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com
The ALU Archives – OPI Designer Series Glamour
 The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.
It’s the last day of April and therefore it’s time for the last Rainy Day Blue. Since it’s been a mix of sunlight and rain the past few days, I thought it was apropos to get the best of both worlds by wearing a holographic polish. I chose OPI Designer Series Glamour so my “April showers” colored tips can sparkle in the sun. |
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why OPI discontinued this shade. If someone can solve that riddle, could you let me know? Glamour was part of the 3rd Designer Series release in January ’07. It was the blue holo I’d been waiting for. A gorgeous cornflower hue with a hint of amethyst, Glamour still reigns supreme over all the Designer Series shades I own.
And the formula… WOW to the formula. OPI’s exclusive diamond dust formula is highly pigmented and glides on like buttah. It’s a damn shame the new perm DS polishes aren’t filled with holo goodness like this baby.
With a little hunting you can still find Glamour online. The Designer Series polishes retail for $12.50 but you can find them for less on the web.
ANOTHER BIG Sale from Rescue Beauty Lounge
Due to the issues with yesterday’s 75% off Bath & Body sale, Rescue Beauty Lounge is doing something it has never done before. The first ever Lunch Time Nail Polish Sale.
Tomorrow, April 30th, 12-2PM EST, all RBL polishes will be 50% off BUT you must buy at least one body product for the discount to be honored. Enter code “Mea Culpa” upon checkout.
In case you need some enabling, check out my RBL Swatches.
Nail Polish Remover Recall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 29, 2009 — Personal Care Products of Bingham Farms, MI is voluntarily conducting a nationwide recall of all lots of Personal Care non-acetone nail polish remover, conditioner enriched with gelatin, 6 fl. oz., UPC 4815592076, because it does not meet product specifications and has the potential to cause chemical burns to the fingers of users.
The product has been sold nationwide in small discount retail stores and retailers are being instructed to remove the product from sale and to return it to Personal Care Products.
Personal Care has received two complaints of burns to the fingers resulting from the use of the product.
Any person who purchased a bottle of Personal Care non-acetone nail polish remover, conditioner enriched with gelatin is urged to return it to the store of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Personal Care Products at 1-248-258-1555, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. EDT.
I’ve never seen this brand in stores but it looks like a brand that you might see at a dollar store. Be sure to check your bottles!
Get The Look – Fergie's Striped Nails at the Wolverine Screening
 At last night’s screening of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, one of our fave nail trendsetters, Ms Fergie Ferg, rocked the red carpet sporting some flashy nail art. You all should know by now that I’m not really a nail art kind of girl but the occasional polka dot or stripe can be fun.
To accent her black and metallic dress, Fergie donned a silver and black striped nail that looks like a futuristic easter egg. She wore this same design for her birthday bash in Miami a few weeks back which is why I suspect that she’s actually wearing Minx, not polish. But fear not nail art lovers. You don’t have to plunk down a pile of cash to have a pro give you this look, you can recreate it at home on the cheap. I show you the tools and technique after the jump! Edited to add: Celebrity Manicurist Kimmie Kyees just confirmed that she did apply Minx on Fergie for the screening. |
Tools: China Glaze INK with Nail Art Brush and Sally Hansen Shooting Star Technique: 1. Apply two to three coats of Shooting Star and let dry. 2. Lightly swipe the INK nail art brush against the bottle to remove excess polish but leave a very small blob on the brush. 3. Place the tip of the brush at the side of your nail and gently roll the nail to create the swoosh. The brush will drag the blob across the nail, getting thinner as you reach the other side. 4. Repeat to create the number of stripes you prefer. 5. Let the design dry completely before applying top coat. Application tip: I rest my arm on a hard surface and hold the brush steady while rolling the nail to create a fluid, smooth line. Shaky hands + moving brush = uneven lines. Or if you prefer the straight lines, try Sally Hansen’s Nail Art Pens. The tip is like a small felt tipped pen and because the formula is water based, you can wipe off any mistakes without having to start over. So are we feeling this look? Would you try it at home? How do we feel about nail art? Share with the class.
Instead of recreating the look dead-on, I chose to do an inspired design with swoosh-like stripes.
You can use any foil-like silver polish if you can’t find Shooting Star. Finger Paints Easel Come, Easel Go! is a great substitute. China Glaze INK with Nail Art Brush ($2.60-$2.99) can be purchased online from Head2ToeBeauty.com or TransDesign.com.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
