Nail Trend: A Hint Of Sparkle
Dont overdo the shimmer on your winter nail designsa small amount will do the trick for this 2022 trend. Even if you use polish with chunky glitter in it, add only a dab or two. The idea is to catch the light, not pile on the glitter. Adding a bit of sparkle is a great way to put a classic spin on a French mani and is also perfect for the winter, says Jennifer Bell, senior marketing manager of Bellacures, a stylish West Coast chain of nail salons.
All Cracked Up With Crackle Nail Polish
| Who remembers the old CoverGirl Crackle Lacquers? I know they were popping up in dollar stores a few years ago but I was never lucky enough to score one. I did find one old bottle of purple Crackle in my Caboodle at my parents house a while back but it was dried and crusty. And yes I realize I just totally dated myself with the Caboodle reference.
With nail art hitting a fever pitch its no surprise that this look would come back. Between nail stampers, water marbling, nail art pens, ombre nails and crackle nail polish DIY nail fanatics have endless options when they want to amp up their nail style. Im still unsure of how I feel about the crackle look but I figured Id give it a whirl. As I mentioned in my Link Love post on Sunday, my friend Sara from Bit By The Beauty Bug had a crackle pedicure at her salon in Boston. Sara told me about it just before I went to Vegas and mentioned that her tech got her bottle from overseas. So of course while I was at Cosmoprof I scoured the International section looking for crackle nail polish. I hit the jackpot when I visited the Mia Secret booth. |
Like I said above, crackle nail polish isnt exactly new but it seems to be making a comeback. TransDesign has been selling Krackpolish for a while now but I never took the plunge. I guess it took seeing the polishes in person to give me the kick in the butt I needed.
If You’re Picky About Your Polish Shades Essie’s Gel Couture Formula Comes In A Wide Array Of Colors
Pros: Rich color, dries hard and strong on the nail, a little goes a long way
Cons: May not last as long as it promises to, performs best with gel top coat
The first time I tried Essie Gel Couture, I applied three coats. And because I over-applied, the polish was quick to peel off. That’s to be expected, according to Horsfield.
“When you apply too many coats of nail polish, the layers all meld together and become softer, as only the surface layer is able to fully dry,” he says. This will happen regardless of whether or not you allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next one. That means your polish won’t set properly, which leads to peeling.
When I tried again, the first thing I noticed about Essie’s gel-like enamel was the way it set on the nail. It almost feels weighted, and dries hard, which really speaks to the quality of the formula, as well as how similar it is to an actual gel manicure. It also dried within a half hour.
Two coats was the sweet spot. It looked gorgeous on, and stayed strong for a week or so before it started chipping. The product is described to last 14 days, but I think this really depends on how often you work with your hands on a daily basis. Similar to most lampless gel polish, Essie does sell a Gel Couture top coat to further enhance their gel-like formula. It’s not a necessary step, but reviewers do say it enhances your finished manicure’s shine and strength.
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Best Neutral Opi Colours
OPI is known for their quality and when it comes to neutral colours, I like when my manicures and nail polish lasts on its own.
Here are the best neutral or nude OPI nail polish Canada review colours I recommend to buy on Amazon Canada:
Dont Bossa Nova Me Around is my favourite taupe nail polish colour ever. Ive worn this sometimes for months at a time. Its the perfect colour to lead in from Spring to Summer and if youre going on vacation and want a perfect nude, choose this colour!
If You’re Low On Time The Wet N Wild 1 Step Wondergel Nail Polish Only Takes A Few Minutes To Apply And Dries Quickly
Pros: Basecoat is included in the formula, does not require a top coat, rich color, high shine, fairly chip-resistant
Cons: You have to go searching for the wider color selection
As someone who finds it very difficult to sit still long enough for my nails to dry completely, a one-step formula sounded too good to be true. But Wet n Wild’s 1 Step WonderGel Nail Color is the real deal.
This formula is the first of its kind, because it doesn’t require a top coat and it cures without a lamp.
The result is up to two weeks worth of color without chipping or fading. It’s also a 3-free formula, made without formaldehyde, toluene, or phthalates.
I first applied the brand’s All That’s Jazzy! gel nail polish an hour or so before bed and I was impressed by how quickly the formula dried. In less than half an hour, I tapped my nails with my fingertip and the polish stayed put.
It’s also incredibly high-shine. I applied two coats, and was surprised by the level of gloss coming off my fingertips. The brilliant color didn’t fade or chip for more than a week, which is excellent. Wet n Wild’s 1 Step WonderGel Nail Polish also comes off with one cotton swab-worth of remover.
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Should Nails And Toes Match
That was the question facing the Mamamia Out Loud team this week who vehemently disagreed on the rules that exist regarding the matching of nail polish on feet and hands. According to Mamamia Out Louds host Holly Wainwright, sorry, but you should absolutely never be matching your toes to your finger nails.
Nail Polish Longevity Test
No matter how great your nail polish looks when first applied, if it doesnât last a reasonable amount of time, it hardly seems worth the cost and effort.
To compare the longevity of Essie and OPI nail polishes, we applied 2 coats of Essie nail polish to the left hand of our model and 2 coats of OPI to the right. Since we didnât want our results to be impacted by external factors, we decided to forgo base coats and top coats.
Our model wore the polishes for 5 days while being sure to consistently handle common objects with both hands throughout the day to evenly test the durability of both brands. We took photos of her hands at the end of each day and compared the results.
Day 1: Both the Essie and OPI manicures were 100% intact with no chips
Day 2: The Essie manicure had a slight dent in the polish on one finger. OPI had chipping starting on the tip of one finger and the base of another.
Day 3: Essie had an additional small chip on one finger. OPI now had chips on 3 fingers.
Day 4: Essie and OPI both had chips on all 5 fingers.
Day 5: Essie and OPI both had chips on all 5 fingers.
While both Essie and OPI ended up with chips on all 5 fingers by day 4, the Essie chips were not quite as large as the OPI ones. Essie also didnât feel like it chipped quite as easily as OPI did.
WINNER: ESSIE
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Does It Contain A Gel Lamp
When it comes to choosing the right at-home gel kit, Aaron first says to check whether or not the contents of the kit require a gel lampand if they do, check whether the kit contains one or if you’ll need to purchase one separately. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to opt for a kit that contains all the tools you’ll need, gel lamp included.
Essie And Opi Features
Size: At 15 mL/0.5 fl. oz., the OPI bottle is slightly larger than the 13.5 mL/0.46 fl. oz. Essie bottle.
Applicator handle/brush: The handle is larger on the OPI bottle and the brush is wider and flatter. In contrast, Essie has a smaller, shorter handle and a narrower, rounder brush.
Ingredients: The ingredients for OPI polish are listed on the bottle. Essie does not include ingredient listings on their bottle, however they are available online.
The OPI polish contains fewer potentially harmful ingredients than Essie, and OPI has received a better health safety rating from the Environmental Working Group .
WINNER: OPI
Essie Applicator
OPI Applicator
When testing our nail polish we focused on two of the most important success factors for a DIY manicure: ease of application and polish longevity.
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Why Choose Regal Nails
Regal Nails is the obvious choice if you are a busy adult wanting to get your nails done before or after running your errands.
Most of their locations are located directly in Walmart stores and Supercenters and are easily accessible as you are running your errands or grabbing groceries for the evening.You can even combine a pedicure with a new hairstyle at a SmartStyle hair salon which is also located inside many Walmarts.
Some locations offer online booking to make your experience as seamless and simple as possible. Others offer walk-in appointments only or offer appointments via telephone, which is recommended during prime hours. However, most of the time, you can get in quite quickly when you simply show up.
This nail salon is the perfect choice whether you are a single adult wanting to get ready for a special weekend, a bachelorette looking for a great experience with your friends or a mom looking for a bonding experience with your daughter.
The environment is surprisingly calm and luxurious for being located inside Walmart, and your experience is sure to be relaxing. You will enjoy the calming colors and modern environment along with the relaxing, ergonomic chairs.
What Is The Difference Between A Uv Gel Manicure And An At
“There are two different types of gel nail polish, ones which require exposure to UV light to cure, and ones which are able to cure in natural light,” says Jon Horsfield, founder of Nicely Polished. They both contain oligomers polymers that are drawn to each other and activate to bond and harden the polish so it’s long-wearing and chip-resistant. But lamp-free polishes also contain photoinitiator components that activate when exposed to lower levels of UV light, Horsfield explains. In other words, they cure and strengthen with daylight, as opposed to gels that are set under a UV lamp.
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A Complete Polish Change
To perform a complete manicure or pedicure at home, you need more than just nail color. After trimming and shaping, a full mani-pedi proceeds with three steps.
- First, apply a base coat to each nail. Base coat nail polish creates a smooth surface that helps the following products in the regimen adhere more fully to the nail. This simplifies application and can help color last longer.
- Once the base coat is dry, you can sweep on your preferred color. Some products may require two or more coats to give you the results you desire.
- Finally, apply a top coat nail polish. By creating a seal over color, these products help to reduce fading, chipping and peeling, giving your color more staying power.
Filter products by type using the left-hand menu to quickly find the essentials you need for a three-step color application.
Check Out Some Of Our Best Sellers
Explore OPI, the iconic nail brand thatâs been revolutionizing nail color and care since 1981. Our vast array of products come in a range of colors to meet every client request. Powerful polishes spark memory and emotion, and quality tools help you deliver an unmatched level of service.
How do I properly prep the nail?
Begin by pushing back the cuticles and cleaning the nail plate removing any hangnails or dead tissue. Cleanse the nails with OPI Expert Touch Nail Wipe saturated with N.A.S 99 Nail Cleansing Solution to get perfectly prepped nails.
How long should I wait to let my nails dry?
While applying one drop of Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops on top of your manicure, it only takes 60 seconds for the nail polish to set.
How to prevent my nails from yellowing?
Always apply base coat before applying color. Base coat helps prevent staining and provides adhesion for a long lasting OPI Nail Lacquer manicure.
How do I remove cuticle flooding?
Easily remove OPI Nail Lacquer nail polish from the skin by dipping a brush or Q-tip into Expert Touch Lacquer Remover and cleaning around the cuticle to remove excess nail polish.
How To Treat Dry Cuticles at home?
Use a good hand and nail moisturizing cream daily. Winter and dry skin, unfortunately, go hand in hand. On a chilly day, we recommend carrying ProSpa Protective Hand Serum with you. Keep your hands smooth with Moisture Bonding Ceramide Spray.
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Its Cold Out Theremake Sure Your Mani Is Red Hot With This Winters Best Nail Colors
Even if you spend most of the winter bundled up, there are still parts of you worth showing off all year long. And lets not forget about that moment of pure joy when you slip your hands out of your gloves to show off your favorite new nail polish. So, now that fall is over, what are the hottest winter nail colors and trends that should be on your radar?
From rich, jewel-toned hues to dupes for frosty snowflakes, winter nails arent following one set of rules right now. Were still seeing a lot of nail art, but its less cutesy and more architectural. For example, according to celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce, founder of Nails of LA, instead of going with an overt candy-cane look, opt for a chic, angled half-French in a sultry red, or do a half white nail with a diagonal cut across that looks clean and elevated. You also wont find just the typical wintery shades this yearyou might see pastels on the chicest nails. If we had to sum up winter 2021/2022 in a word, it would be unexpected or bold.
We asked celebrity nail artists and other experts for their take on whats trending right now so you can take your manicure to the next level. To get salon-quality results, use non-toxic polishes and gel nail polishes. And if youre planning to DIY your nails, we have tips on how to achieve the perfect at-home manicure and remove gel nail polish.
Selecting The Right Shade
Nail polish comes in almost every color you can imagine, giving you a rainbow of options. There are no hard and fast rules for what color you should use. Some people prefer lighter colors for everyday looks and darker shades for nighttime and special occasions. However, you can feel free to show off any hue whenever you desire.
Classic nail polish colors include reds, pinks, burgundies, light earth tones, purples and peaches. Blues, greens, yellows, grays and black tend to be more modern. White nail polish can be used to paint the entire nail or just the tip. The latter look is referred to as a French manicure. Use the Color Family tool on the left to focus on the shade you prefer.
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Drying Time Between Coats
There is a reason it takes over an hour to get a salon manicure. Professionals make sure each coat of polish is completely dry before applying another layer. If you want your at home polish to hold up as well as a salon version, follow the prosâ lead and be sure to allow plenty of drying time between coats.
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Opi Infinite Shine Review
OPI Infinite Shine Nail polish is a long wear formula from OPI that lasts longer than the average nail polish colour. It gives you the look of gelcolor and lasts for up to a week without chipping where the OPI regular nail polish or nail lacquer usually chips up to 5 days of wear.
I love the OPI Infinite Shine selection because I dont always like wearing gel or shellac nail polish on my nails but I find when you use the entire system of the OPI Infinite Shine the colours last a pretty long time.
In order to use the OPI Infinite Shine properly, you need to get all of the steps that include the OPI Infinite Shine base coat and OPI Infinite Shine top coat because the formula is different from the regular lacquer base and top coats.
The CND Shellac line has a longwear formula that is also very comparable to the OPI Infinite Shine. Both are great options if you dont want to wear gel or shellact colours.
The best place to buy a big selection of OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish is on Amazon Canada. There is a huge selection of bold and neutral colours as well as you can purchase the top coat and base coat for Infinite Shine.
Here are a few of my favourite OPI Infinite Shine Colours on Amazon Canada:
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