Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

I always prefer putting on my nail polishes rather than these new nail polish strips that have been quite popular lately.  The upside to the nail polish strips is that there is absolutely no drying time and that you get to wear funky nail designs that you wouldn't be able to draw on your nails yourself.

When Sephora was having sales on older nail polish stickers/strips I was able to pick couple of them up for $3 each.  And when I tried those, they were actual stickers and my nails felt weird and restricted.  And the stickers were quite thick so it kept snagging on my hair, and sweaters.  I absolutely hated them and ended up taking them off after 2 or 3 days.

But I never tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips.  And I was thinking they have to be the same as the Sephora ones.  Also they retail for $8.99 to $10.99 each for 16 strips and I didn't want to spend that much on them.  I was browsing through TJ Maxx during Thanksgiving and I actually found a nice design for $3.99, so I thought I give them a try.

I found the design I Love Lacey which is a red background with black laces as the design.  I thought it was hott and worth trying for $3.99.

It comes with:
- 2 packs of 8 strips in each.  One pack is for each side of your hands.
- wooden stick to push back your cuticles
- small nail file
- and instructions

When you open the package there is a strong chemical nail polish smell.  Once you open these, you cannot store them away to use later.  You should find the size that fits your nails, take the clear plastic off the top and white sticker from the back and place them on your nails.  You are going to find that none of them will fit your nails perfectly, but thats okay!  I suggest using bigger size rather than a smaller size.  Then I used the cuticle stick to get it to adhere and take off the excess.  That way your nails are completely covered.  Also what I noticed about these nail polish strips were that they were much much thinner than the Sephora ones.  They are thin, stretchy and much more moldable.  After the application, you fold down the excess at the ends and you can file them off.  Then you are done!  If you are not use to putting these on, it can take as much time as applying regular nail polish and waiting for them to dry.

The best part was that the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips did not snag on my hair, clothes or anything!  They lasted over a week without any of them wearing off except the ends of the nails.  I actually took them off before it was ruined.  And you can remove them with regular nail polish remover.

All in all, I actually really liked these.  They have variety of designs, and they lasted well and they weren't annoying like the Sephora ones.  I'm really glad I gave them a try and I will definitely be trying them again.  I highly recommend these!!!!

For some tips, if you wanted to get multiple use of these, then try alternating on some of the nails with one package and applying regular nail polish to the ones you did not apply the nail strips.  Then save the other pack UNOPENED for later use.

Also as I mentioned above, apply the strips that are bigger rather than smaller for your nails.  Personally I don't like my nail bed showing.  And these were thin enough to just cleaning them up with the cuticle pusher.

Have you tried nail strips?

How to create Summery Striped Nails

Yesterday I posted a picture on my facebook page about my pink and white striped nails.  So as promised this is how to create that look.  Please excuse my dry cuticles and not so perfect lines. 

This is the skirt I inspired me to do this design.  Very summery... I like it.

Here's what you need: Base Coat, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, two color of your choice, tape, or guideline stickers.

1. Before you begin, prepare your tapes.  I had straight guide stickers (similar to french tip guide stickers), so I cut those in half. 
2. Apply base coat.
3. Apply the less opaque nail polish color first.  Choose the color you know you have to apply twice.  Apply two coats.  For me it was the white color.
4. Apply Dry Fast Top Coat.  You need to make sure this first color is completely dried so you don't mess it up when you apply the tape.
5. Apply the tapes as you wish like below.  And light coat of the second color.  For me this was pink.  This color was quite opaque.  (this guide stickers weren't so good. it kept on moving around. I may have to use regular tape next time) 

6. Let it dry, and carefully remove the tape.
7. Apply generous amount of Dry Fast Top Coat. 
Voila done!!!

Happy Easter Nails!

Have a great Easter everyone!
Try fun Easter nails! Instead of drawing on your eggs, try it on your nails! ^_^

NOTD: How to - Black and White Polk a Dot Nails

Looking at my nails make me think it's gonna be a crazy Monday! Doesn't it look a little crazy? But I love it!

My left hand....

My right hand....

To achieve this look:

First you need the following tools.  Dotting tool (if you don't have one, use toothpick, pencil or a pen), little piece of paper, plastic tray, anything you can put your nail polish on. Black and White Nail Polish, or whatever color you want to use. And most important, grab your Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat!

1. Apply base coat: I used Seche Vite Base Coat.
2. I painted black first by using Rimmel Last Finishing Pro in Black. I randomly painted by leaving two fingers for the White on each hand.
3. I painted Seche Vite Top Coat on the Black Nails.  So it can fully dry before I put my polk a dots.
4. I painted the remaining fingers with the White Nail Polish and Seche Vite Top Coat.
5. I poured some White Nail Polish on a plastic tray.  (I used my eyelash box lid)
6. Take your dotting tool, whatever you have chosen, dip slightly and apply gently on your nails.  With one slight dip, you should be able to dot twice or three times.
7. Repeat process with Black Nail Polish for your White Nails. 
8. Another layer of your Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat and you are set!

Try alternating your nail colors or have fun with different colors!  It's really making my nails pop and totally lovin it! ♥

NOTD: The New French Tip

Last week, I posted a picture on the Miloberry Facebook Page of a nail I did that was inspired by what's been seen in London and New York Fashion Week. 

I didn't do the greatest job, and I actually meant to do a thinner french tip... (better do a better job next time) :)

This is the look I was going for, but kinda failed... and actually J.Lo rocked this type of french tip at the Oscars on Sunday.

Anyhow, to achieve this look, I started by cleaning my nails and cuticles....

And I put two coats of white nail polish to ensure that my nude nail polish will show it's true color.  I used China Glaze, Moonlight (#622).

Then I applied one thick coat of the OPI - Hopeless in Love.



Then for the french tip, I used the Sally Hansen nail art pen in black. And lined and filled in the tips.  I started the french tip thin then it got thicker and thicker as I tried to perfect the line.... Oops

This nail art pen has a small tip to make the nail art precise and easier....  but the formula that they use isn't that great.

Then I let it dry and applied my favorite top coat- Seche Vite to finish off the look. 

But overall, I liked how it turned out....  I know I'll do a better job next time. :) 

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NOTD: OPI - I Don't Give a Rotterdam

I love this new nail polish I got from OPI Spring/Summer 2012 Holland Collection - The color is called "I Don't Give a Rotterdam".  It's a blueish grayish cream color with tiny specks of gold sparkle.  It's definitely a very unique color!  Under a different light it looks different.  I've added few photos under an indoor light and natural light.  I had to use three thin coats to make sure they are opaque, but I absolutely love this color!!!  But I'm sure you can layer this over some other color to use less coats.

Just a FYI- The photos do not do this color justice!!!!

Under indoor light (apologies for the messy nail application)



You can see slight gold specks in this picture.



In natural light.

That's hott! (Nails)

Mixture of Matt Black and Shiny! I'm gonna have to attempt this look!  It's hottttt~~~

NOTD: Hello Kitty and Rainbow Inspired Nails

Now that I have all the tools in the world to pretty much own my own nail shop, I did my friends' nails.
They were nice enough to let me experiment on them. hahaha

First up, Saeah's nails... She wanted Rainbow Nails.  We took five bright colors and painted slanted french tips and put bling bling glitters.  (Thanks Saeah!)

Then next we have Ashley, who is a hello kitty lover like myself.... she wanted hello kitty nails.  I really didn't know what to do, so we painted her nails all white very opaque and did freehand french tip with bright pink.  It didn't look hello kitty really, so I freehandedly drew pink hello kitty bow on her ring finger nails.  It actually looked really simple but cute.  I think I might have to try this next time.  Although it's really hard to draw on my right hand with my left hand. kekeke



(Yes, she is holding a can of budlight... hahahaha)

NOTD: Lilac Nails

Took a break from bright colorful nails and went with something a little more toned down... but I ended up putting little jewels on it and went a little overboard with the dotting tool. :)

I drew slanted mismatched french tips with Essie St. Lucia Lilac (very lovely color) on all of my nails and added purple jewels and placed dots using white polish.

I did this one the week before... my summer inspired nails... apparently, everyone thought it was very springy and easter.  But I personally think the colors were bright enough to be summer inspired. :)  If you think of colors on the beach, I can totally see these colors on someone's bathing suit...

I have been getting more compliments when I started doing my nails... and people ask if I got them done by a nail professional... but it's all mmeeeeee! :)  I guess I'm getting better at this.

NOTD: Baby Blue with Polk a dots

Another Polk a dot nails. Blue nail polish from OPI - what's with the cattitude. I'm in love with this color. Used dotting tool to make the white and pink Polk a dots.
Did you know the next "in color" is blue this season? ^_^

I also did my friend's nails with same color and white polk a dots.  I'm really into doing the fourth/ ring finger differently from the others.  I think it's unique. :)  She really loved this color and the design!

I've been posting a lot of NOTD and about nails lately just cuz these are easiest posts.  Please stay tuned for some makeup product reviews.  ^_^

NOTD: Canary Yellow Polk a Dots

I used China Glaze Lemon Fizz and placed yellow flat glitter as my polk a dots.  I don't know why but it reminds me of a baby giraffe toy for babies. lol