China Glaze- Elephant Walk & Sally Hansen- Glass Slipper

Just a quick post today as I’m still catching up from vacation (I had a blast, btw) and about to head to downtown DC for the DC United game and Soupapalooza!! Exciting stuff, I know.

China Glaze Elephant Walk is from the Fall 2012 Safari collection. I didn’t really “need” another gray, but I also never “need” a piece of tiramisu and that never stops me. So here we are. Besides, I love elephants, I would have bought this color no matter what shade. Anyways, Elephant Walk is a gray creme with a very subtle shimmer. I used 2 coats for full opacity, and the formula was excellent. I wore this on its own for 2 days without any tip wear. You can pick up China Glaze polishes at Sally Beauty, Ulta, and all over the interwebs, and they range from $4.50-$7 depending on where you buy.

After two days, I added a coat of Sally Hansen’s Glass Slipper to extend the manicure as I was quite busy. It’s a very classy flakie top coat that adds a bit of bling without going overboard. Again, work appropriate in my opinion. I love how it looks like snow flakes and will be a heavily use polish this coming winter. I picked this baby up for $3 at Walmart in February or March, and have used it multiple times since then. Definitely a diverse polish and I can’t wait to try it over a bunch of different colors.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure- Madame X

I recently picked up Madame X at Rite Aid once it hit my local branch, and they were running a BOGO50%OFF sale. It’s been one of the colors from this line of CSMs (for Prabal Gurung’s Fall 2011 Runway Show) that I wanted since the beginning, I now have a sense of calm having acquired it. I’m really glad I did finally pick it up, because it’s taken the place of Frutti Petutie as my favorite CSM color. It’s a reddish pink and absolutely gorgeous. After a month of wearing dark colors, nudes, and some “weird” Christmasy nail art, I was ready for a pop of color. I’m currently on day 4 of wearing it, and I’m not in any hurry to take it off despite some tip wear. Here I’m wearing two coats and it’s fully opaque. The formula is great. It’s not streaky, and just the right consistency. It does dry a bit flat, and even with a coat of Seche Vite top coat, it’s not super shiny. I personally don’t mind this. Sometimes, I want a nice cream with a flatter finish and that’s what this is. I forgot how much I love the CSM brush too. A lot of people hate it, but I find it really easy to do my manicure with it, probably because I have wider nails than most. And because it’s not a flexible brush, it’s the easiest brand/line to paint my toes.

You can find Complete Salon Manicure polishes pretty much anywhere nail polish is sold, and it ranges in price from $6.50-$8. I’ve seen the Fall 2011 line at Rite Aid, Ulta, and Duane Reade.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects- Snow Bunny

Shocking discovery of the century, these work better when your nails a bit longer and past the tips of your fingers. You may remember with my last attempt at SEs, I was complaining about it feeling weird having the tips wrapped and the excess shoved up under my nails. Well wouldn’t you know, when your nails are a little bit longer, this issue disappears. You may also be wondering why you’re getting a picture of my left hand? It’s because I messed up my index finger nail, and just because I have to look at it does not mean that YOU have to! Much as I expected, practice makes perfect and my second time applying Salon Effects was much easier than my first. You sort of learn little tricks that work for you. Like I barely use the nail file that’s included in the set and trim excess with nail scissors. And don’t use Orly- Bonder as a base coat as it’s slightly sticky, making cuticle alignment and placement a bit tricky. For reference, I used a coat of Orly- Bonder as a base coat, and no top coat.

I absolutely LOVE the Snow Bunny pattern, so I’m really pleased I only needed to use one of the two packets of nail strips included in the box. I can either save these for next year, or wear it again a little later in the winter. I love the shiny shimmer effect of these strips. I remember, this was the pattern that seemed to be sold out everywhere, and props to Sandy for spotting a box when we were in a Target together back in October. I’ve waited THIS LONG to wear them because I wanted to save them for Christmas week! I’ve seen them around since then, so they are definitely still available. I may have to pick up another box!! I must confess though, I’ve resisted the urge to file my nails down so I could have them a bit long for this manicure. However, this has resulted in me repeatedly scratching myself this week. So I cannot wait to have my nubbins back if/when I ever take this manicure off!

What polishes do you have on your list? I have Frock Star/Misbehaved/Kitty, Kitty for Salon Effects, as well as several of the new Complete Salon Manicure colors. I gave my mom a really detailed list, and to improve my chances, sent her copies of our DEAL ALERTS posts so she’d know where to shop 🙂 I hope y’all have a great and wonderful holiday!

DEAL ALERTS- December 4-10

CVS

• Essie Cocktail Bling Collection now on sale.
• Buy ANY 2 Revlon cosmetics or Beauty Tools, get $6 EC Bucks w/ EC Card. Limit 1 per household w/ card. Includes nail polish.

Walgreens

• REVLON TOP SPEED Nail Polish, on sale for. $3.99, get $3 Register Rewards. Limit one per printed offer.
• Essie Luxeffects should now be in store, $8.
• Not Nail Polish Related, but $1 off coupon for EcoTools Brushes/Set. These are my fave drugstore brushes.
• Jingle Cash Starts!!! (See image for details)

Rite Aid

• Sally Hansen Nail Glam Party Pack, pay $9.99, get $3 in +UP Rewards w/ card.
• Wet n Wild Little Luxuries set (9 minis), pay $4.99, get $2 in +UP Rewards w/ card.
• BOGO50%OFF Nail Enamel, choose from Sally Hansen, Crackle, LA Girl Crackle, CG, Chameleon, Petites or Color Fevers. Possibly Sinful Colors since the picture is shown, but brand not listed. That’s irritating.
• Jesse’s Girl and Styli Style Cosmetics BOGO50%OFF, and get $2 +UP Rewards when you buy $10 worth of JG or SS products.
• ALL Revlon cosmetics or Beauty Tools are BOGO50%OFF.

Ulta (12/3-12/24)

• B2G1FREE on Orly and China Glaze Nail Enamel. CG Eye Candy and Orly Mineral FX lines now in store. 
• Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy and Powder Room Polish Remover set, $15 (a $19 value).
• Butter London Holiday Glitter Trio, $36 ($42 value)
• OPI Holiday Dynamic Duos $14.95. Includes a polish and matching lip gloss.
• OPI Glamour Duos, $14.95. Two full size polishes and a set of toe separators. 
• Buy 2 OPI polishes, get a free base or top coat.
• OPI Best of the Best 10pc mini packs (2), $24.95 each. 
• Ulta Paint the Town or Glitterati 4pk Mini-polish sets, $4.99 each.
• Ulta Lust in Lace 5pc mini pack, $9.95 (LOOKS GORGEOUS)
• Ulta Brand cosmetics/nail polish BOGOFREE, PLUS FREE GIFT

Sally Beauty Supply

• Free Wallet with Purchase of any 3 Finger Paints nail enamels
• China Glaze nail enamel, 2/$10 (excludes crackle, metallic crackle, and Eye Candy)
• Stripe Rite Paint, $2.99
• $.99 Sally Girl Holiday Collection
• $1.99 Mini Bottle of China Glaze Ruby Pumps
• $7.99 for Beauty Secrets hard case 5pc manicure set.
• $9.99 Orly Sets, 3 FULL SIZE bottle of polish, and either a purple suede wristlet (Birds of a Feather Set) OR a pair of mittens.
• $9.99 China Glaze Holiday Spirits set, 3 shades and a wine stopper.
• $7.99 China Glaze gift sets
• $9.99 As Seen On TV Nail Stamping set

Target

• Nicole by OPI Nail Color or Texture, $6.50

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure – Commander in Chic

Well, readers, I don’t know if you’ve heard the exciting news. I have a new lucky polish! Haha, actually, the REALLY exciting news is that I got a new job and I’m moving to New York City! It’s exciting times 😀 The polish I was wearing when I had my interview and when I found out I got the job? Sally Hansen CSM – Commander in Chic. I actually can’t decide if I should call this my Lucky Polish or my Power Polish, both are fitting. I know I’m new to the neutral love-fest, but I’ve been picking up a lot of polishes like this shade lately, and CiC is one that just kind of gently whispers “oh my varnish” to me. It’s formula is a breeze, you could probably get away with only one coat, but I like to do two because it gives it that cushy, deep look. The brush makes it a super quick mani too. I love the lavender/peach tones in the brown, it makes it soft yet a little edgy and it goes with so much! Plus, come on, the name is fabulous.

2 coats Orly Nail Armor

2 coats Sally Hansen CSM – Commander in Chic**

1 coat Seche Vite

Long story short, I’m REALLY glad I shelled out the $8 for this polish. I see myself wearing it a lot in NYC!!

**My accent nail is one coat of Mattese Elite – Uninhibited, mainly to convince Mel that she NEEDS it. Not sure I would use it with CiC again, but look at how awesome one layer coats. And it iisss still on sale 😉

 

DEAL ALERTS- 11/27-12/3

RITE AID

• BOGO50%OFF Sally Hansen Nail Enamel with Wellness+ card

WALGREENS

• Revlon Cosmetics and Beauty tools BOGO50%OFF with wellness+ card. (Excludes Top Speed Nail Enamel)
• Rimmel Cosmetics BOGO50%OFF with Wellness+ card.

CVS

• BOGO50%OFF ALL Revlon Cosmetics with EC Card. (Limit 6)
• “Salon Nail Color or Treatment starting at $5.95” are eligible for the Buy $30 in specially marked products, receive a $10 gift card promotion. A good time to stock up AND get Christmas shopping done?
• BOGO50%OFF ALL Rimmel Cosmetic. In addition to their Lasting Finish Pro line, I’ve become a HUGE fan of their Moisture Renew Lip Gloss.
• $3 off any $10 Hand or Body Lotion purchase.
• ALL Wet n Wild products w/ regular retail price $0.99 are on sale for $0.69 each through Wednesday, 11/30.

ULTA

• $3.50 off $10 purchase. Coupon available.
• Free Shipping of orders of $25 or more.
• Cyber Monday Deals– including 3pk Butter London sets for $36. 
• $9.99 Sally Hansen CSM 3pk gift sets, and NOPI ICYCOLOR 4pk mini- set
• $9.99 Ulta Pink Beauty Tool Set.
• Buy 2 bottles of OPI polish, Get a Free Base Coat or Top Coat, an $8.50 value!
• All Revlon Cosmetics BOGO50%OFF
• Get $5 Ulta Cash for Every $20 you spend 11/27-12/3, REDEEM $5 in Ulta Cash for every $20 you spend 12/4-12/10

MICHAEL’S

• Scrapbook Storage (melmers) are 40% off. There is also a coupon for 50% off one Regular Priced Item. Get two!! You’ll need it.

Sinful Colors- Winterberry

Winterberry is one of two new colors in the Destination America collection, the other being Slate. It’s a gorgeous icy-grape purple, with a silver shimmer that isn’t really evident in these pictures. You can sort of see it in the bottle though. So far, I believe this display has only been spotted in Rite Aids. It hasn’t even hit my local RA, I had to go to the really nice one up by my parents.  The formula is excellent and I only used two coats. I really think I’m getting away from the three coat rule. The same day I picked this up, I picked up Sally Hansen’s Diamond Strength Aisle Be There from their newly redesigned release. It’s this gorgeous duochrome pinkish shimmer, but here it just looks like a regular pink shimmer. It’s really pretty though, and looked great with Winterberry. Definitely pick both of these up if you can find them. Winterberry is $1.99 at Rite Aid, and Aisle Be There was $3.97 at Walmart!  

Sally Hansen Salon Effects- Numbskull

So we had all these plans to do a bunch of Halloween related posts, and then life happened. But since Halloween is still 3 days away, I wanted to share these while I still could. This was my first attempt at Sally Hansen Salon Effects, and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed. It’s clean and neat, minimal cleanup, doesn’t smell, looks really professional, and most of, easy. As this was my first time, I think it took me a little bit longer than it normally would. But well worth it, because I love how cute this looks! I’m also really excited to test out the wear and tear on these. I’ve got two big trips coming up next year, and this may be my traveling manicure solution. My only complaint, and this is more user error than anything else as I read many reviews warning me about this prior to use, is that these tear really easily. Like, when you are taking off the backing, half the strip would be left behind. This lead me to using a strip that was slightly too big on one finger. So be careful!! After I took this picture, I added a top coat to cover the edges and tips which a many reviews suggested, despite it not being in the instructions. I’m terrible at wrapping my tips, but it was pretty easy with these. And because I had the excess wrapped portion of the strip up under my nail, it feels a bit odd. Again, this is all “It’s My First Time!!” user issues. I have Prep’s Cool (ARGYLE!!!) from the Holiday 2011 Limited Edition line and I’m really excited about it. Plus Jess gave me a $2 off coupon as part of my birthday present so I will definitely be picking up some more. I know I want Misbehaved and possibly Kitty, Kitty and Frock Star. So many options!!

Numbskull is available as part of the limited edition Halloween 2011 line. I’ve seen a few random boxes thrown about in various stores, so you may have some luck finding these still. I really hope they add Numbskull to the permanent line. Like Gina said to me the other day, skulls and crossbones are always in style 🙂

You can find Sally Hansen Salon Effects anywhere nail polish is sold. CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen’s, Walmart, and Target all carry them. Salon Effects can retail anywhere from $7.00-$10.50 depending on where you buy them, if they are on sale, and if you have a coupon. They are definitely worth the cost for a special holiday or event.

Topping It All Off: A What’s What of Top Coats (and where to buy!)

Since there are so many deals going on currently for top coats, and since I covered the importance of base coats last week, I thought I’d share a few reviews and tips based on ones in my collection in this “Beginner’s Series” post 🙂 Top coats aid in longevity, drying time and occasionally style of your mani; it’s the layer that ties it all together. As always, our lovely master tweeter Melissa shared a bunch of the sales coming up on our twitter this weekend. You can find us a @varnishclique to see them all, not just the few covered in this post 🙂 (she’s pretty on top of it every Saturday, so follow us to get the weekly play by play on polish sales!)

Below the cut I’ve included a variety of my favorites: Seche Vite (FAST drying and super glossy), Hard Candy – Matte-ly in Love (making a polish matte can totally change a color!), Sally Hansen – Complete Care (4 in 1: top coat, base coat, growth treatment and strengthener), Beauty Secrets – Top Coat (quick dry gloss coat) and Nail Life – Aromatherapy Drop On Speed Dry (not a top coat, but rather an oil that helps set your polish).

❤ Jess

My Favorite Products: Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

I get two professional manicures a year. Not because I like them or anything (although the hand massage IS nice) but because trimming my own cuticles terrifies me. I’m always afraid I’m going to end up cutting myself and end up looking like a modern day version of Lady MacBeth. Its the only way i can justify the expense, since I change my polish daily, or eery other day. Well no more, my friends!! I picked Sally Hansen’s Instant Cuticle Remover at Walmart over the weekend and haven’t turned back!! I will admit, my first go at my cuticles with this product wasn’t too successful. But once I went and got Sally Hansen’s double ended cuticle pusher and trimmer at Rite Aid, and figured out how to use it properly, it’s like a whole new world was opened up to me!! *hums Aladdin*

The gel has a dropper style applicator, so it’s easy peasy to apply to your cuticles and not your entire hand. Then let it sit for 15 seconds before pushing your cuticles back. Carefully trim them using the opposite end of your pusher and wahlah!! It’s amazing how easy it was, and how much difference that extra millimeter or two of nail makes in how long my nails look. I’m getting better at too, so the second attempt didn’t end in as much pain as the first attempt!!

I bought Instant Cuticle Remover for $4.39 at Walmart. I bought the cuticle pusher at Rite Aid on sale for $2.39. I have no idea WHAT the sale was since it wasn’t advertised in store or in the ad. Regular retail is $4.79.