Tag: cosmetics
CND Monday – Experimenting With Girlie Pink
Welcome to CND Monday, a regular series here on ALU. On each CND Monday I’ll be sharing a new layering combination from CND Colour & Effects to show you the versatility and creativity of the line.
Recently a reader emailed me asking about some of the lighter shades in the CND Colour range. After seeing my comparison of China Glaze Something Sweet & CND Tutu she was interested in finding additional opaque, cool-toned pinks in the CND lineup. Even though pinks aren’t necessarily my bag I’m happy to oblige reader requests when I can. Though unfortunately for this particular reader there aren’t any colors lighter than Tutu that are cool and opaque. Instead I went one step darker and pulled out Girlie Pink and some coordinating Effects to play with. |
Orly Plastix Satin Finish Nail Polish Swatches & Review
“Gretchen, stop trying to make FETCH happen! It’s not going to happen!” – Regina George leader of “The Plastics” in Mean Girls.
For the past year now nail polish brands have been trying to “make fetch happen” with a seemingly never ending barrage of matte nail polishes. My lazy, always-running-late self loves mattes for their quick dry time and I know I’m not alone but the detractors seem to be in the majority. I get it. The wear issues and flat wall paint finish aren’t exactly selling points and most certainly deal breakers for a lot of you.
Enter Orly’s twist on the game, the Plastix Collection, a set of four satin lacquers. Like their Nails For Males and now discontinued Matte Top Coat these polishes dry with a semi-gloss “plastic” finish. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this type of finish but it hasn’t come in fun colors until now. The Fall runways featured lots of satin nails as well which is why I’m declaring Satin is the new Matte.
Avon Knows The Way To This Girl’s Heart – New Nailwear Pro Greens!
My first beauty related memory involves Avon. The five-year-old me was very outspoken and not afraid of anything. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anyone. So when I got my hands on an Avon catalog for the first time and landed on the page of flavored lip balms I decided that I needed to place an order.
I immediately dialed the “Avon Lady” to order every flavor of lip balm they made. When she asked for my payment info I dropped the phone, ran to the kitchen and asked my mom to “see her credit card.” ALU Mom is way too trusting because she just handed it over without hesitation. She probably assumed I was playing some game. Unfortunately for me, the Avon rep called back a few minutes later to verify my order with my mom who didn’t seem all that surprised that I had took it upon myself to make my first Avon purchase. In the end I was allowed to choose one lip balm flavor, Root Beer, but it was the launchpad for my obsession with beauty. It’s been a long time since I place an order with Avon. Not since they launched those holographic polishes a few years back. They applied so funky that it turned me off the brand but when I heard they had a couple new greens launching for summer I had to check them out. I mean, how can I pass up a green? I’m happy to report that they did not disappoint. See for yourself! |
The Arsenal – Graham HandsDown Ultra Cosmetic Pads
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.
A cotton pad is a cotton pad, right? Not in my world. For years I went the cheapo route buying whatever bulk cotton pads or balls where the least expensive even though I continued to be frustrated by the little pieces of lint left behind, the polish stains on my fingers and how easily they disintegrated. Enter Graham HandsDown Ultra Nail and Cosmetic Pads. To my nails, they’re like the air I breathe, ESSENTIAL!
What’s so fab about them? For one, the plastic barrier and easy grip tab on the back of each pad. I can easily remove polish from just one nail without messing up the rest of my manicure. I can easily swatch polish without messing up a brand I’m testing on my non-swatching hand.
What else? Well they are lint-free which is a HUGE plus and they hold remover well so you use less product. With cotton pads, my fingers would end up wet which is bad for your skin and a waste. Thanks to the plastic backing, they are also very sturdy so you can remove polish from multiple nails without them falling apart.
Grahams HandsDown Ultra Pads can be purchased in a 60 ct package at Sally Beauty for $4.99 ($4.49 with Sally Card) or do what I do and order the big 240 ct bag from Head2ToeBeauty.com for $12.95.
Compared to drugstore brand cotton balls they are a bit pricey but considering you only need 1 or 2 per manicure, it’s worth the cost.
How many of you are HandsDown Ultra converts? Do you agree that they’re worth the extra coin? What’s your favorite nail polish remover pad?
Manicure Trick – Wrap Your Tips
Much like wrapping the perfect present, a flawless, long lasting manicure requires a little wrapping of its own. Wrapping the free edge of your nail with polish helps extend the wear of your manicure and should become an essential step in your routine.
I’m sure most professional nail techs consider this part of their everyday manicure service but it’s not as well known in the consumer world. Since we discussed this technique in the comments of my Quirius review, and there were multiple requests for details, I figured a quick tutorial was in order. Read on to see my step-by-step guide to wrapping your tips and get a look at one of American Apparel’s latest nail polish releases. It’s GREEN! |
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
