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    Review, Uncategorised

    Glisten and Glow HK Girl Review

    A couple of weeks ago, I posted a comparison of 5 top coats including a couple of really great indies and the response was great. I’ve loved watching the discussion in the comments. Top coats are such a subjective thing – everyone feels slightly differently about each top coat they’ve tried and has their favourites based on all kinds of merits.
    One thing I couldn’t avoid was the HK Girl recommendations. More than a dozen of you suggested I try Glisten and Glow’s top coat offering in the comments on that post alone. Luckily for me, Jill from Glisten and Glow got in touch and offered to send me a bottle so I could test it out for myself and I can happily say that it lives up to each and every one of my expectations. It’s a miracle in a polish bottle! Shiny, fast drying and a super smooth formula to boot.


    On the bottle, it says that HK Girl is a Fast Drying & Super Shiny top coat and that’s exactly what this is. What sets HK Girl apart from other fast drying and shiny top coats is that it doesn’t come with any of the undesirable side effects that others commonly do such as shrinkage and thickening.
    I’ve been using HK Girl for quite a while now and from my experience so far, I can confidently say that it doesn’t shrink at all and it hasn’t shown any signs of thickening and going all gloopy. The brush is a pleasure to work with so it’s very easy to get even coverage and it really makes my manicures last. I’ve been able to test out the staying power quite effectively this week and I managed to keep on a mani for just over 3 days without a single chip.
    It dries to the touch within a minute or less and within 5-10 minutes it’s pretty much rock hard. In the picture above, I’ve used one coat of HK Girl over Born Pretty Holographic #11 and you can see the smooth, glossy surface of the top coat.
    When using this with gritty, dense glitters I’ve found that it sinks in quite easily and doesn’t always glaze over the glitter quite as much as I’d like so I’ll probably be sticking to Rica or KBShimmer when it comes to glittery nail art. That’s really the only thing I can find wrong with this polish!

    Gloss 5/5
    Lasting Power 5/5
    Overall 5/5
    HK Girl cannot be faulted. The application is smooth, it’s super glossy and lasts for days without a single chip.

    Where to buy: Glisten and Glow $6.95 (US), Rainbow Connection £6.55 (UK)

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    Comparison, Review, Uncategorised

    Top Coat Comparison: Rica, KBShimmer, Seche, Cult Nails and INM

    Finding the perfect top coat is the perpetual struggle that all polishaholics face! There are dozens out there and everyone seems to have their own favourite. We’re all mostly looking for the same things in a good top coat – easy application, a glossy finish and lasting power – but it’s hard to find one that offers all three.
    When Katie at Harlow & Co saw one of my recent top coat rants, she got in touch to see if I’d be interested in comparing some indie top coats with a few popular mainstream selections. A few are ones that I’ve tried before and others are completely new to me so I was very excited to size them up against each other and hopefully find the perfect top coat along the way.
    It was very hard to compare these because they’re all good top coats in one way or another. They all have at least one of the three traits we’re looking for (that’s easy application, glossy finish and lasting power in case you forgot!) but only a few have all three.
    I’ve ranked them in order from worst to best so if you’re only interested in reading about the good ones, scroll down a little bit!

    INM Out The Door
    Given the amazing things I’ve heard people say about this in the past, I was expecting great things but I was sorely disappointed with this top coat. It was not very fast-drying and I found that it leaves very noticeable streaks on my manis. Even a second coat can’t smooth things over. It also chips fairly easily at the tips. The only thing that redeems INM Out The Door is the fact that it doesn’t shrink my mani!
    Gloss 3/5
    Lasting Power 3/5
    Overall 2/5
    Although drying time is good on this one, the streaky finish makes it an absolute no-no for me.

    Where to buy: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK)


    Seche Vite
    What can I say about Seche Vite that you haven’t all heard before?! It dries insanely quickly and gives amazing shine but it has its downfalls too. I know from past experience that this top coat gets thick and gloopy before you’ve even used half the bottle and once it gets to that point, it starts to shrink on your nails. By this, I mean that it literally shrinks as it dries and takes the nail polish underneath with it. It pulls away from the tips and cuticles so you have a layer of paint that’s just slightly too small for your nail!
    I’ve heard it said that if you ‘wrap your tips’ (paint all the way over the very edge of your nail tip) it doesn’t shrink quite so badly but I’ve never mastered this technique. Having short nails, I always just end up with a lot of top coat stuck to my fingertips so I ain’t got time fo’ dat!
    Gloss 5/5
    Lasting Power 4/5
    Overall 3/5
    If I’m paying upwards of £5 for a bottle of top coat, I want to be able to use more than half of it. However, the quick drying time and rock hard finish is this top coat’s saving grace.

    Where to buy: Amazon (US), Boots (UK)
    Cult Nails Wicked Fast
    This top coat really lives up to it’s name. It truly does dry wickedly fast! It’s also very shiny but again, from experience, I know that this gets gloopy when you’re close to the bottom of the bottle. However it’s nowhere near as bas as with this Seche.
    Gloss 5/5
    Lasting Power 4/5
    Overall 5/5
    This is a fast drying, glossy top coat but does get very thick towards the bottom of the bottle. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this top coat because while it lasts it’s amazing!

    Where to buy: Harlow & Co
    Rica Glossy Glam
    This top coat is really great for covering those thirsty glitters. Two coats and the finish is completely smooth. It’s fast drying and is indeed Glossy but I don’t like the brush as much as I could. It’s a perfectly functional brush and a great all round top coat but I think a wider brush would be a great addition to the already amazing Glossy Glam.
    Gloss 5/5
    Lasting Power 4/5
    Overall 5/5
    I don’t have a bad word to say about Rica Glossy Glam. It offers brilliant shine and speedy drying time.

    Where to buy: Harlow & Co
    KBShimmer Clearly On Top
    This one is a great all rounder but I wish it dried a little quicker. I LOVE the brush in this one which is wide and flat. Combined with the perfect consistency, it makes applying this top coat an absolute dream and it never smudges my nail art.
    Gloss 5/5
    Lasting Power 4/5
    Overall 5/5
    With two coats, the shine of this polish was unrivalled. Although it’s not quite as quick to dry as Glossy Glam, the wide brush and lower price tag push it to the top of the list.

    Where to buy: KBShimmer, Harlow & Co

    ——————————————————————————–
    It seems Indies are really winning this race. Perhaps the fact that the creators of these indie polishes are so closely involved with the online nail community gives them an edge because they’re so tapped in to their audience and they know exactly what we want out of a top coat.

    It was so tough to choose between Rica and KBShimmer for the top spot but that wide brush really gave KBShimmer the edge and I’m happy with my choice although  I do wish it wasn’t so difficult to get hold of these indie top coats here in the UK. Most online stores offer international shipping these days but it can be pricey so you have to buy a lot of bottles at once to make it worth the shipping costs.

    Most of the polishes on this list are available from Harlow & Co where international shipping is available.

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    Nail Care, Review, Uncategorised

    Nail Butter Review


    Nail Butter is a nail product made from all natural ingredients which acts as a moisturiser and strengthener for your nails. When I posted this on Instagram and Facebook last month it got you all very curious and I wanted to give it a good go before I came back to you with my thoughts.

    The Nailasaurus: Nail Butter Review


    The directions say to work it in to your nail beds twice a day for 30 days and once each day thereafter. I started off really well – I would apply it in the morning on the way to work and then when I got in to bed at night – but after a few weeks I admittedly started slacking a bit. These days, I apply it most nights and keep it in my handbag so that I can apply it during the day if I remember!

    I have noticed a visible improvement in the quality of my cuticles. There is less redness there, they seem minimised and are very soft and easy to push back when it’s manicure time. I’m very lucky that my cuticles and nail beds are naturally quite healthy – regular moisturising since I was 12 years old has kept my hands and nails in tip-top shape – but I do get rough skin at the sides of my nails where I also have a habit of picking. I was really hoping this product would show a noticeable improvement in these areas and it definitely has. I’ve also noticed a drop in the number of hangnails I get since using this product – they used to be a regular occurrence but now I can’t remember the last time I had one.

    Nail Butter Review

    The smell is something new to me. As I mentioned, it’s made with all natural ingredients and lightly scented using Lavender Oil. I personally find the smell a bit strange but it’s one you get used to over time. It’s not a bad scent but it’s not really great either. I just can’t make up my mind about it but it hasn’t put me off using the product. All I will say is, just don’t eat a sandwich or any finger food straight after applying!

    Nail Butter comes in a tin holding 1oz of the product which is a lot. The tin is about the size of my palm! I’ve been using this product for more than a month and have barely scraped the surface. One tin is $19.50 or you can get two for $35.
    I know this seems like a lot compared to similar mainstream products so for reference, Sally Hansen’s Healthy Cuticles Now! currently retails at about $6.49 per 0.48oz. I did the maths for you on this one and that works out at $13.52 for 1oz of product.

    Nail Butter Review

    As the name suggests, the texture of the product is creamy and slightly greasy like butter but it absorbs in to the skin so well. Within 10 minutes of applying, there isn’t trace of grease on my fingers, just freshly moisturised cuticles.
    When I first opened my the tin, the surface was very smooth and I found out that this was a harder waxy layer which was covering the soft, buttery cream underneath so I’d recommend giving it a mix before your first go. Like actual butter, this stuff melts in the heat so be careful about leaving it too close to the radiator or in the car on a hot day! If it does melt, don’t worry because it sets again once it cools down.

    Overall I think Nail Butter is a great product. Christina has developed an all natural, cruelty-free product at a competitive price which actually does what it says on the tin. It’s a product that I will definitely repurchase when I get through my first tin. If I ever do, that is. There’s so much product in there, I may never need a replacement!

    You can get Nail Butter at nailbutter.com and from some retail locations in GA.

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    Review

    Revlon by Marchesa: Royal Burgundy Review


    I knew as soon as I saw these Revlon by Marchesa nail appliqués that they were something a bit special. So special in fact, that I’ve been holding on to them for a suitable occasion and now that party season is upon us I thought it would be the perfect to show them off.

    It seems that 2013 was the year of the nail wrap and I think the standard of these products has really stepped up across the board. Because my nails are very curved, any wraps that I wear have to be the thin stretchy kind or just insanely adhesive to have any chance at staying attached. These fit in to the second category!

    Revlon by Marchesa: Royal Burgundy

    These nail wraps are very sticky and thin enough to get a good purchase on your nails without too many crinkles. As with all wraps – the flatter your nail beds, the less chance of crinkling. As you can see in my pictures, there are few bumpy bits near the edges but they aren’t noticeable from a distance.
    These are applied by sticking them in place on your nail and then filing off any excess that extends past your nail tip. The mini nail files that came with the wraps for getting rid of the excess were very rough so I opted for my glass nail file instead which did the job with no unnecessary damage to my nails.

    The range contains 8 different and exquisitely crafted designs each inspired by a dress from Marchesa’s archives. The design I’m sporting is Royal Burgundy. Each pack contains 18 appliqués in a good range of sizes so you’re guaranteed to find a match for your nails and it comes in handy if you mess up a few! I have some left from this set which I’ll be saving to wear as accent nails on occasion.

    The sets run at £8.99 each which is a few pounds more than most nail wraps you’ll find on the high street but justified by the exceptional 3D designs. This is the kind of item that I would reserve for a special occasion where I’m going to get dressed up! I think they’d also be perfect for a bride on her wedding day. Silk Rosette (blue florals on clear) could be your something blue and Crown Jewels (gold details on clear) over a pale pink or shimmery white polish would look breathtaking.

    Revlon by Marchesa: Royal Burgundy

    I couldn’t resist added a gold spark to my usual make-up to match my nails!

    Revlon by Marcesha Appliqués are £8.99 from Boots.com and in selected Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide.
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    Review, Stamping, Uncategorised

    MoYou London Stamping Plates Review

    It seems the whole nail world has gone MoYou London crazy recently and I’m no exception! I’ve had my eye on MoYou London for a very long time, always admiring their designs from a safe distance because I knew that if I ever bought one, I would just have to buy ALL the MoYous!
    Well now I have a few of them I realise I was right, there’s an air of collectibility about them, much like you get with rare nail polishes or beanie babies! They’re split up in to collections which makes collecting that much easier and they release new products every week. My favourite collections at the moment are Time TravellerPro and Sailor. After using these plates for a few weeks I can confirm that they are truly amazing and a very good investment for any stamping enthusiasts out there.
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review

    The plates themselves look incredible. They’re rectangular (which is new to me) and each comes in a cardboard sleeve which is great for storage. The range of designs is very impressive – they have everything from pop culture icons’ faces, to comic strips, to pretty patterns. Some plates even feature a design that stretches from corner to corner and these truly are works of art.
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review
    I think the identity and aesthetic that MoYou London have created for themselves as a brand really makes them stand out from the competition. Their website and packaging are very easy on the eyes and it’s obvious that each collection is very carefully thought out. Each collection is based around a character and the designs on the plates reflect that. You’ll probably find yourself identifying with one girl more than the others. I wish I could say I was a Roxy but I’m really a Nova at heart!
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review
    I know that when buying new plates, most of us want to know how big the ‘all-over’ designs are to figure out whether they will cover our whole nail so I’ve taken the liberty of measuring the designs. MoYou London offers plates that have XL images as well as the regular size which is ideal for people with particularly long or wide nails.
    Regular MoYou London Images
    12 x 15mm
    XL MoYou London Images
    15 x 22mm
    For comparison: Bundle Monster Images
    13 x 17mm
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review
    Each plate is secured on to a thick sheet of plastic but this is not like the backing we’re used to with Bundle Monster and Konad. It’s a completely separate piece of material slightly bigger than the plate, so you have a white border of plastic around the metal area. At first glance I thought this would be an ugly annoyance but I’ve come to love this feature as I noticed that it minimises damage to any surfaces I lay the plate on whereas some other plates I’ve used are scratchy at the edges.
    MoYou London Stamping Plate Review
    So far I haven’t come across a single design which hasn’t transferred perfectly on to the stamper and then on to my nail. I’ve been using a credit card to scrape of excess polish and MoYou London’s pink stamper for transferring the designs. They also offer a double ended stamper with a huge surface at one end and a smaller stamp at the other. The stampers are very squishy – at least compared to the Konad stamper I’ve been using for the past 3 years – but they work without a hiccup.
    You can buy MoYou London plates from moyou.co.uk for £4.99 each. Standard shipping within the UK is completely free and they ship worldwide for very reasonable rates.
    You can get 20% off your first order when you use the code, SAMMY20, at the checkout. Just make sure you’re signed in to your account on the website first or the code won’t work.
    Here are a few of my manicures that feature MoYou London stamping. Click on any picture to go to the original post.
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    Review, Uncategorised

    OMG Nail Strips Review

    Press Sample

    I’ve never really been one for nail wraps so when I was contacted by OMG Nail Strips about their product I initially said no for that very reason. However they told me that these are not your traditional nail wraps, they’re ‘strips’ – much more stretchy and sticky than some other nail wraps so I said I’d give them a go and I’m so glad I did!


    I think the reason wraps haven’t worked for me in the past is that my nails are too curved. They always seem too stiff and never stick flush to my nail. This results in lots of creases and sticking up corners! The OMG strips are super sticky and can be stretched to flatten out any creases.Trying out these strips has got me jonesing for more and even opened me up to trying a few different brands too. Even though I’m still a nail polish girl at heart, I think they’ll be great for the occasional accent nail.

    These are the cheetah print strips which are $6.89. There are 50 styles to choose from and at the moment you can pick any 4 for $20. I have my eye on the crossbones and the funky 70s leopard print.
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    Freehand, Review, Uncategorised

    Barry M Nail Art Pens Review

    Many of you will have heard the exciting news this week that Barry M are launching some new products this month and amongst them are nail art pens. I knew about these a little while back because I was asked to create some nail art using the pens for the print advert but I had to keep it a secret which wasn’t easy!
    Before these I’d never used nail art pens, always favouring brushes, but I got on with the pens just fine and the mess on my desk was much more contained than when I use brushes!

    To get the paint flowing you have to press the nib down on the desk (I put a piece of plastic down first because some of it will get on your surface) until it starts flowing. The paint comes down the edges and through the middle of the nib but sometimes a little too much makes its way down the sides and you have to wipe it off. This wasn’t a huge deal for me because I’m used to using brushes which have to be cleaned off constantly. 

    You have to make sure your base colour is completely dry before you go for it with these pens. I jumped the gun and ending up dragging away the polish underneath so I had to start over. I also noticed that the paint crackles if you paint it on to wet nail polish, you can kind of see what I mean on the square design on my ring finger.
    The nibs of the pens look a lot like like felt tips but are actually made of solid plastic which makes them very durable. I slammed these down on my desk more than a few times when I was being a little over zealous but it didn’t do any damage to the nibs, they’re super tough.
    I’m pretty sure it’s not nail polish inside. By that I mean they haven’t just poured their Black nail polish in to a nail art pen. It’s something between nail polish and paint because obviously it has to be runny enough to flow smoothly out of the pens. Whatever it is, the consistency is perfect and with a top coat it will last as long as your nail polish.
    I think I’ll get the most use out of these when I’m doing french tips. Do you ever paint on tips and find yourself with a big bump at the end of your nails? I do all the time! These won’t give you that bump, the paint is so smooth and you can go over the same area as many times as you like without it ‘building up’ and getting all lumpy.

    These nail art pens will be available in Superdrug stores from April 10th and Boots stores from April 17th. The RRP is £4.99 each.
    They’ll also be launching on BarryM.com from April 10th.
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