Perfect Tips & Toes with a little help from Nailene

After seeing so many different, stunningly modern variations of the "Classic French Manicure", I can't tell you how excited I was to try one for myself.  Knowing I had two awesome polish shades, which would compliment each other famously, I began the manicure with much enthusiasm. 

 

Base Colour was 2 coats of O.P.I.'s From A to Zurich and the tips are Rich Sapphire by ASK Cosmetics Inc.

 

I can't begin to express how much I enjoy working with O.P.I.'s nail lacquer.  The application is so smooth, and the brushes are so easy to work with.  This shade is by no means a strong red, but rather a muted shade that has sophistication to it. 

You can read my review/swatch of this gorgeous shade right here.

 

 

 I've had this sitting around anxiously waiting to be used, so today was the day.  The idea is ingenious, but would they leave a clean, French mani look?

 

The instructions are well labelled on the back of the package.

 

So, as you can clearly see, I didn't manage to place the strips straight across the ends of my nails.  In addition, my nails have a squoval shape, which makes the end effect look slightly different than if you were sporting square-shaped nails. 

 

 

At this point - Rich Sapphire by ASK Cosmetics enters the scene. 

 

Yes, it looks messy, but wait to see the final result.

 

Wowza!! The strips have been removed and a good, healthy coat of ASK Cosmetics Top Coat has been applied for extra shine and long-lasting wear.

 

I simply love the effect! 

 

My final comments on this product by Nailene:

 

 

These "strips" were super easy to work with; stuck to your nails "like glue"; held their position extremely well; were very easy to remove, and they didn't allow the contrasting tip shade of polish to run. 

Each package holds 96 strips, so well worth the money you pay as you can do manis and pedis several times over.

 

Just a bit of trivia today......

 

Did you know...the French manicure isn't actually French? It's a product of old Hollywood and the pain of actresses needing to change their polish for every wardrobe change. Who knew?

 

 

Do you prefer the classic version of the French mani or do you like to change it up a bit like I did?

 

 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to leave a comment below and stay in touch,  Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Choices

 Today I would like to show you 4 lovely red shades of polish from my collection.  Which one would you choose to do a Valentine's Day manicure?

OPI's "From A to Zurich" 

 

Sally Hansen's "Unbreakable Heart"

 

Rimmel London's "Burgundy Flirt"

 

ASK Cosmetics Inc. "Perfect Red"

 

After swatching all of these gorgeous reds, I remembered that I had purchased Revlon's Nail Art Stencils a while back waiting for the perfect opportunity.

 

Instructions read like this: 

Easy to use  -   Follow diagram to get the look.  Apply to bare nails or dry enamel.  Use to enhance the look of your nails.

 

First, I used "Pedal to the Medal 400" by Maybelline NY Colour Show collection to add the heart accents to my manicure of "Burgundy Flirt" by Rimmel London.  Here's how it looked:

Next, I tried "Rich Sapphire" by ASK Cosmetics over the "Perfect Red" manicure also by ASK Cosmetics.  This is the outcome: 

 

I really enjoyed using these stencils, so there will be more manicures in the future with the other designs I bought. 

 

What's on your nails for Valentine's Day? 

 

Happy V-Day from me, Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

OPI's From A to Zurich

On my quest to find some nice red shades I stumbled upon OPI's "From A to Zurich".

 

My initial impressions of this particular shade on my nails was that it looked like a medium red, lovely, wearable colour.  It was screaming "Look at me!" like some reds do.

 

Coats:  2 applied

Thickness of Polish:  on a scale from 1 (thinnest) to 10 (very thick) I would give this a pleasant 4.

Ease of Application:  With the awesome brushes OPI have and with the perfect consistency it was very easy to apply this shade.  Personally, I appreciate all polish brands whose brush and formulation allow for a simple 3-stroke application.  Not all manicures look profession when completed, but I'm sure everyone can achieve a near perfect mani with this one.  Well done, OPI.

Appeal Factor:  Enormous.  I received numerous compliments while I was sporting this shade.  Very stunning and good for day to night time - a must-have if you like reds.

This shade is now alongside "Perfect Red" as my two favourite reds, and we all know it is the season in which reds, greens, golds and silvers come to life.

During these colder months I find it can sometimes be challenging to keep my hands well moisturized at all times.  For this reason I always apply ASK Cosmetics' Skin Conditioning Milk several times each day.  You can easily rub it in before doing a manicure as it does not contain any waxes or silicones that will ultimately coat your nails.  In addition, these nasty waxes and silicones act like solvents and strip your hands of their necessary hydration.  Have a good look at the ingredients of your hand lotions before purchasing.

 

For more information on the benefits of this

Revival Skin Conditioning Milk read this Got dry hands?

 

My question for you is:  Are you ever so impatient that you ding one nail just when you thought they were all dry?

 

Thanks for stopping by and check out the amazing 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway on the ASK Cosmetics Inc. FB page. 

 

Enjoy your weekend, Lisa M

 

OPI's Light My Sapphire

OPI's - Light My Sapphire

 

Always being drawn to the dark, dramatic shades of polish, I just had to pick this one up. 

 

It was a challenge to photograph just how deep and rich this shade really is, while showing the blue at the same time.

 

 

First impressions:  The blue in it shows up much better on your nails than in the bottle.

Coats:  2 applied in these photos.

Thickness of Polish:  on a scale from 1 (thinnest) to 10 (very thick) - Light My Sapphire is a 6.

Ease of Application:  If you like working with thicker, very dark shades, then this might just be the one for you.  I found it a bit difficult to get the right amount on my brush, but I do love all the OPI brushes that I have used thusfar.

Appeal Factor:  Although my personal preferences are rich, elegant shades this one didn't appeal to me so much on my nails. 

I use the Revival Nail Polish Remover by ASK Cosmetics Inc., as it offers an added benefit.  It is really a two-in-one product; removing polish and treating your nails and cuticles with TIPS at the same time.  My nails always feel hydrated, rather than dried out and my cuticles feel soft and silky.

My question is:  How do you successfully keep these rich, dark shades away from your cuticles, while still doing a clean manicure?

 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Enjoy your day, Lisa M

 

 

 

HONK IF YOU LOVE OPI!

When it comes to choosing nail polish colours, I find myself in a real dilema.  Nowadays, there are countless brands with so many stunning shades, it makes a polish wearer's life rather challenging, to say the least.

 

Recently I was on a short trip to Naples, where I indulged in purchasing numerous lacquers produced by various manufacturers; ones I can't readily find in my corner of Canada.  It was as if I was in "polish heaven", something my husband did not understand at all.

In any case, I came home with a suitcase full of polishes, and here's the one I would like to showcase today:

 

Coats:  2 applied;

 

Thickness of Polish:  on a scale from 1 (thinnest) to 10 (very thick)  -  this one was a 5 in my opinion;

 

Ease of Application:  It was fantastic to apply.  The brush fans out so nicely and allows for a perfect 3-stroke application.  Not all polish brushes are created equal, but OPI's are really easy to work with.

 

Appeal Factor:  This is another dark shade, similar to the previous one I showed "Stylenomics" by Essie.  For those who prefer the dark, rich lacquer colours this is definitely right down your alley.

I think this deep grape shade will go very nicely with many colours in my wardrobe, all the way from light shades to darker ones as well.

 

As always I finished off my manicure with a treatment of TIPS Nail Conditioner to hydrate my cuticles.

 

 

While supplies last, ASK Cosmetics Inc. is offering an amazing deal on TIPS Nail Conditioner + the Contour Nail File.  For complete details click here:  "TIPS Stocking Stuffer Set" Limited Time Offer

 

Thanks for stopping by, Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

OPI - Meet Me at the Star Ferry

OPI's - Meet Me at the Star Ferry

Happy to say this product exceeded my expectations. 

 

I applied 2 coats which gave me the opacity that I was looking for.  Seeing this shade on my nails made me feel elated, since this particular colour goes well with my skin tone. 

 

There is a hint of sparkly copper that comes through in the sun.  Whereas my nails looked more pink, but an extremely gorgeous, rich pink tone.  I love it and think it should be a staple in anybody's polish collection.

 

It is also a shade that looks attractive on longer or shorter-kept nails.  If offers simple elegance for daytime and just enough glamour for evening wear.  A definite all-rounder!

The application with this OPI’s brush and formula was a dream - no difficulties whatsoever.  Its staying power is great too.  This nail polish is certainly one I will be using a lot in the future.

As always I begin my day by applying TIPS Nail Conditioner and I finish off each and every manicure with a treatment of TIPS as well.

 

Have you tried OPI's Meet Me at the Star Ferry?  Thanks for stopping by, Lisa M.

 

K-Color, Nicole by OPI