Sally Hansen Salon Effects Are Magic.

I've been sitting looking at the blank screen for a while now, and I just cannot think of the best way to phrase this. I keep writing things and deleting them, because about all I can come up with is, "These things are magic and they NEVER LET GO! Go buy them!"

I know, I know, marketing says they'll stay on for 10 days. They never do, right? Or maybe they do, but they're chipped and lifting and you're pulling your hair out, just wanting to take the damn things off already. But this time, I am having none of those problems.

Maybe it's my super nails, maybe it's my process. I used cuticle remover before I put these on, and then scrubbed my nails well. Before I put them on, I went over my nails again with nail polish remover just to make sure there were no oils on them, and I made sure to rub the polish strips down well after I applied them.

The result? It's day 12 and my nails are still perfect, except for new growth. I'm going to have to remove them from sheer boredom soon!! I haven't been taking it easy on these, either: I've been crafting, sewing, beading... all the usual things that will destroy my manicure. The results speak for themselves.

The best part is that because my nails are fairly short, I was able to get all my nails done with one pouch of strips, so I still have another manicure's wear out of these! So far, that's almost a month for one little box of strips!! I'm absolutely gobsmacked.

Creme colors, shimmers, glitters and designs... it's amazing the looks you can get with this simple little packet. I just can't say enough good about them. I'm actually bored with this design, but I want to see how long it will last! Let's see... will they stay on til my nails fall off? :D

Til next time...

Product was provided by the manufacturer for consideration.

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Oops, I forgot to post... *blush*

I know, I know, I'm horrible. I thought I'd posted the winner of my giveaway! Instead, I hadn't, and hadn't even updated the blog! I'm a terrible blog mommy. I've had an interesting week, let's just leave it at that, shall we?

However, I want to give a GREAT BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Lisa Mc! She's won the kick-butt prize package so generously provided by Kiss & Broadway Nails, and I'm hoping she has as much fun with the goodies as I have!

Also, I have a great story to share. I guest-lecture in the Photoshop Basics class at the local community college every semester. This time, I'd gone in to help with the class while they worked on their final projects, as usual, and as I was helping one student, she interrupted me apologetically.

Turns out, she loved the way my nails were done, and she recognized them as the Sally Hansen Salon Effect nail polish strips. She had to tell me that she loved my nails, and that as soon as class let out, she was going to WalMart to buy a pack of the set I'm wearing! It seems that she and all of her friends absolutely love these, because they're easy, gorgeous, and stay on forever!!

I'd wondered about that, but it's true. I put this set on the afternoon of April 29 as an experiment to see how long they'd wear. As of May 7 they aren't even showing tipwear, and I only put topcoat on them once! I am showing new growth at the base of my nails, but other than that, these still look brand new. I've even been crafting with them, and that usually destroys my manicure!

So, just for the sake of thoroughness, I'm going to keep these on until they need to be changed. I'm not going to change them simply because of growth, because that's just too easy. I want to see how long these babies will stay on my nails! In the meantime, I'm going to be doing a comparison of the various types of full-nail sticker/polish tabs that I can get my hands on. This should be fun! Stick around, once I get it all organized it's going to be pretty informative!

Til next time...

This awesome giveaway was sponsored by Kiss & Broadway Nails. Show 'em some love!

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Unexpected traveling and a contest extension...

I doodled this one day and thought
it would brighten up the post!

Wow. You know how sometimes you suddenly have to go out of town and whatever you had planned gets postponed? Yea. I spent the past few days hours from home with no internet access, so I had absolutely no way to verify my giveaway entries, much less to pick a winner!

This is good, though- I'm extending the deadline for my giveaway to May 3, just to give me a couple of days to go through entries and get everything sorted out. So, if you haven't entered, this is pretty much your last chance! Tell your friends, and GO ENTER!!!

I'll be posting a winner as soon as I can. Until then, be well, and may you find your most longed-for polish in a dusty clearance bin for 90% off!

Unexpected traveling can be fun!

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Deborah Lippman's Spring/Summer 2011 Collection- OMG YES!!!

I had a disturbing realization today. For my entire life, I have spent summers inside, quietly seething that summer was so infernally hot. I don't like hot weather, I don't like being outside with the bugs and the humidity, I just don't like summer at all. My hair frizzes, I sweat and smell funky after just a bit of being outside. Louisiana summers can get over 100° f with 100% humidity. At that point, the air feels like a hot wet sponge smacking you in the face when you step outside.

However, this year seems to be a bit different. Instead of stepping outside into 85° weather and complaining, I seem to be enjoying it this time. I'm wearing sundresses and tank tops, and for once, I feel kind of happy to be in the warm sunshine! It's weird.

Ah well, I'm not complaining! I'm also not complaining about all the summer collections coming out! I am absolutely DYING to get my hands on the Deborah Lippman Spring & Summer 2011 shades. These polishes look downright juicy!

Lara's Theme is such an incredible, warm, wearable-looking orange. I am dying to try it on! It's described as "a dare to wear shade of hot-hot orange," and is Deborah Lippmann's latest celebrity shade. Honestly, what else could you possibly want in an orange polish?


I Know What Boys Like is a deep, slightly muted blue. The press release says about this one, "A creamy periwinkle that credits to both the 80’s and my clients. Several of my clients have asked for interesting blues. This one is a blend of blue and purple with a creamy finish, which gives it a slightly retro look that is so playful and hip." Will I be able to wear this one? I don't know, but I'm certainly going to try!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun looks very similar to Lara's Theme in the photos, so I'm interested in seeing just how similar they really are in reality. This one is described as "a smooth, vintage coral that everyone can wear because it’s bold yet velvety – a sort of carefree, creamy coral." Hello, I'm DYING here...


Finally, Yellow Brick Road blows my mind! It's a yellow jelly!! How on earth... no, I'll wait. I have to see this one on myself! It's described as "a sheer mellow yellow with a jelly finish. The proof that it wears beautifully on all skin tones: it complements me and Lady GaGa, who wore it first for her “Born This Way” performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards."

This definitely fills my mind with thoughts of hot sandy beaches, of gulf waves washing over my toes while we laugh and walk... of summer, of family, of peaceful happiness. This is a set I want.

Also? GIVEAWAY- it's ending in just a few days, so you're running out of time!! GO ENTER ALREADY!!

Base images were provided by the product's PR firm for consideration.

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Weird Wedding Nails & a Giveaway Reminder!!

Lovely (?) nails celebrating the royal wedding.
Image courtesy of Beautylish.com. 

I get some strange email sometimes. Last night, I was flipping through emails and I saw one from Beautylish showcasing three fun looks for the upcoming royal nuptials. One was a sweet nude nail with a ring finger inspired by Kate's engagement ring. Next was an absolutely gorgeous butter London shade named No More Waity, Katie, and let me tell you I'm loving the looks of that one!

The third one, though... I'm just not sure about this one. Someone decided to combine two exciting trends: they took the royal engagement photo and had it printed onto nail decals. Now, maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure about this. I don't even know them! Maybe I'm just too old to understand this craze. I can understand doing nails in her wedding colors (if they're known), or perhaps using things inspired by the couple themselves.

However, I just can't quite accept the idea of having some couple I don't even know hanging out on my fingernails! What's next, the queen mum in one of her cute little hats? Maybe the royal pets? I'm just too stodgy, I suppose, but I think I'll just pass on this one.

However, if you'd like to own a fun bit of history, you can buy your very own royal wedding nails here! With luck, you'll get a giggle out of it too!

Also, if you haven't joined my giveaway, you'd best get to registering, because there's only a few days left! You can't win if you don't register, and if you don't register, you're missing out on a chance for some fun stuff!

Til next time!

I want a personal air-conditioned bubble around me for summer!

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Kiss Your Way to the Dress of Your Dreams!

Enter Kiss Bridal Sweepstakes to Win a $3,000 Wedding Dress

 

Summer brides listen up!  Here’s your chance to win the wedding dress of your dreams valued up to $3,000 simply by entering the Kiss Bridal Sweepstakes via www.kissua.com.


Kiss Products, the leader in artificial nail technology, has created new bridal inspired nails that give a perfect French manicure for the wedding, and throughout the honeymoon.  For a subtle hint of pearly shimmer, brides say I do to the Everlasting French Pearl Nails, and for those wanting a minimal design, then the French Design Nail Kits come in 3 different designs.

Complement any wedding dress with the new Everlasting French Pearl Nail Kit ($5.99) or the Everlasting French Design Nail Kits ($6.99)
available at Walmart and Walgreens stores nationwide.

The Prize

The winner of the Kiss Bridal Sweepstakes will receive a gift certificate to their nearest participating wedding retailer to use towards a wedding dress of their choice, valued up to $3,000.


Prize value will vary depending on the particular dress selected by the winner. Alterations and accessories not included. Prize is not redeemable for cash or transferable; and no substitutions are allowed except at the discretion of the Sponsor, who may substitute prizes of equal or greater value. Certificates for prizes must be redeemed within 120 days of notification that the entrant has won the monthly sweepstakes.

* Offer ends June 30th 2011.

How to Enter

Visit http://www.kissusa.com/649/PROMOTION, then click to enter. You'll be taken to a short form where you can enter your information, and then you're good to go! Also, while you're there, why not sign up for their future promotions- Kiss and Broadway are always giving goodies away, and there's nothing more fun than opening up your mailbox to find a package filled with fun stuff!


Good luck!

Information and images were provided by Kiss.

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Pink Sparkles make me smile!

Wow. I am utterly exhausted, you guys. I did a photo shoot on Wednesday and ended up taking 2000 pictures of the girl, and even though it was lots of fun, it TOTALLY wore me out. I did get a few shots of my nails, though! ;)

I sat down looking for something in particular. I feel guilty for passing up things in the review box, but sometimes you have to feed your soul first! I wanted deep pink color with super sparkle, and BOY did I get it! I went with layering, using my standby perfect pink topped with a super glass fleck that is absolutely stunning!

I was so happy, because in the sunlight this was absolutely gorgeous. I loved catching the happy pink on my nails every time I glanced down. It absolutely made my day!

Unfortunately it didn't wear terribly well. Two days later I had chips and massive tipwear. I'm unsure whether I should be wearing a base coat over the Qtica Nail Growth Accelerator, but this makes me think I should be. I don't know... anyone have thoughts about this?

Also, if you haven't signed up for my giveaway, what are you waiting for? Go sign up!

I never liked pink. I wonder what changed?

See my disclosure statement for more information.