Tough as Nails: Glitter Gel

Tumblr and Instagram provide me with endless inspiration for a number of things from recipes to home decor to fashion.

As of late I have been coming across beautiful works of art being done on nails.  Even better is that it's being done on natural nails! 

Now dont get me wrong I have seen some amazing faux nails as well but I havent done acrylic nails in a LONG time.  Once I figured out how to take care of my nails and saw that they could be healthy and grow I was all like ixnay on the acrylic-ay.

I have been saving my inspiration pics on my iphone attempting to get up the nerve to get an inspired mani.  Why am I so apprehensive about getting manicures at the same places I trust to do my pedicures?  Not so much nervous about the outcome as nervous about spending the money and the mani doesnt last and/or doesnt turn out the way I hoped. 

Well yesterday I said forget it.  I needed my pedi and my nails were a mess after using the Revlon 3D Nail Appliques - I swear those little stickers only last a good day before they start to peel off.  BLAH!  So I decided to go for it.  I showed the tech my inspiration pic and while yes there was a language barrier he seemed to be confident in completing the task at hand.

inspiration image (not sure where it came from but if it belongs to you please let me know so I can credit accordingly)

 

 

 

my result...

Close but no cigar right?  I ultimately wanted something clean and cute and so I think this will suffice. 

I was thinking they would use the thin strips of gold/silver for the line but after practicing on his own nails (yes my nail tech had to practice doing the thin line on his nails before trying on me); he then decided it was too much to handle and gave the task over to another nail tech who just used the decorating nail polish that has that super thin brush to draw the line.  The glitter on the ring finger was done with the OPI gel polish and so its smooth to the touch. 

Though the design isnt spot on I am ok with it.  I also think I will try it again but perhaps at another nail spot only because he did my pedi as well and it was only ok, not nearly as relaxing when I went last week and had a different tech.

The Truth About Nutra Nail Brush-On Polish Remover

I tried Nutra Nail Brush-On Polish Remover and the truth is...

I LIKED IT!

• Fast & Easy
• Odor-free
• Non-damaging
• Won't cause brittleness
• Bio-degradable formula

The above bullet points are what the box claims and I have to say that I agree for the most part. It definitely is odor-free. There is absolutely zero smell. That may be enough right there for consumers to purchase instead of the usual nail polish remover. My nails don't feel how they usually do after polish removal, in fact they feel nourished and not brittle at all. The box says that it contains green tea antioxidants. I cant prove that claim but again my nails feel really nice as if I put cuticle oil all over my nail bed.

Now on to the downside - I have to say that I disagree with the fast and easy part. You have to paint this product on as if you are painting your nails, then the instructions say to wait 15 seconds, then remove. Well, I followed the instructions to a T and it took me about 3-4 times followed by a general final clean up of both hands to get all of the polish off. Now in defense of the Nutra Nail Brush-On polish remover, I will say that I had on some of the most hard to remove polish, a blue NYX one that I just happened to have at work and I really needed to paint my nails before a reception yesterday evening. So that could be it, dont let my stubborn nail polish deter you.

I would give this product a 4 out of 5 just from the lack of harsh chemical odor alone. Sure it takes a little longer but I think its worth it. I purchased it for $5.99 at CVS and yes I would purchase again.