AllThingsNails Spring/Summer 2016

Hi Everyone! Just thought I'd check in to give you a glimpse of what I've been up to on Instagram...

If you have any questions, please ask or just stop on by my IG page: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsnails_/ for more information on 

each pic above. If you'd like a full review on any of these photos, I'd 

be glad to oblige.  And I will give you detailed review here on Blogspot.

I update Instagram, at least, once a week so you can catch me there most 

of the time.

Sally Hansen - Lightening (Insta-Dri)

We have a few more weeks until summertime is officially over (09/22/12), so I'm posting a polish I wore back in May when my nails were a bit longer and Summer was in full bloom.  Now, from the archives we have Sally Hansen's Lightening and it truly is lightening in a bottle!

Color Description: Lightening is a bright lemon yellow, not to be worn by the faint of heart.  And not really for those who care what people think about their nails.  It's a daring, bright, artsy color for the willing and able - lol.

Similar To: Nothing else I own is the same but Lightening has been compared to Chanel Mimosa (color not finish) and Revlon Electric by the wonderful blogger Fab Fatale (check her out!).

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Ligtening and one coat of Shine & Hold.

Price Point/Availability: Of late, I've seen this online for as little as $3, however, I purchased mine a while ago at Big Lots and generally when cosmetics go to Big Lots or discount stores they've been discontinued.  But, by all means, check your local drugstore for the Insta Dri's, you may just find it there.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed wearing it.  Have a great day!

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen - Frozen Creamsicle

Okay, ya'll, if this isn't one of the prettiest Sally Hansen Hard As Nails lacquers I've ever seen I don't know what is.  Can you believe all of this shiny jelly goodness is from Hard As Nails?


Color Description: Frozen Creamsicle is not orange enough to be peach and not rosy enough to be pink it's best described as a pink-peach jelly that is delicate and simple yet classy and on-trend for the Spring. 


Similar To:  Nothing else that I own is even close to this but from online pics it could be the jelly version of Barielle Blossom or possibly 2009's PYT by Deborah Lippman (see pic below), but I don't own either of these so I can't be sure. Also, here's a recent post from Mocha Mish Mash that has similar colors for your view pleasure.


This Look: Two coats of Nutra Nail Super Base Coat, two coats of Frozen Creamsicle and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I happened upon Frozen Creamsicle at Walgreens in the "new items" section for $1.99.  I've searched the web and can't seem to find another mention of this lacquer and haven't seen it anywhere else, so Walgreens is your best bet.  I'm assuming this is new for Spring 2012.


I really hope this look helps brighten your day as much as it has mine. Color really changes my mood and I have a feeling that the next few days will be full of good things for both me and you - have a great Wednesday, my lovelies!


Oh and next I think I will try to recreate Let Them Have Polish's MaxFactor Fantasy Fire over Revlon Royal...  I don't have Fantasy Fire so I will have to get creative but I have a few thoughts in mind. I'm really excited about look.  I liked it so much I Pinterested It!

Pink Wednesday: Sally Hansen Color Quick Pen - Red Chrome

What one minute!  This is Pink Wednesday not Red Wednesday, right?  Yes, it is Pink Wednesday and this post is for Red Chrome but did you take a look at the pic? As pink as pink can get...


Color Description: Sally Hansen should have called this Hot Pink Chrome because it's sure not red but it is lovely.  A metallic deep pink, Red Chrome, is definitely a nice color for any occasion.


Similar To: Nothing in my collection, how about yours?


This Look: One coat of Instant Artificials, two coats of Red Chrome and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I'm still seeing this at my local CVS, however, I picked up mine at my dollar store for, you guessed it, $1.00.  So this make me think this will be discontinued sooner than later.


Hope you like this look.  By the way, do you have any of Sally Hansen's pen applicators?  I have a few and this is the second time I've tried it out.  Not bad but the brush definitely is rough and tough and will leave streaks so you have to be very careful when applying.  Take care!

Sally Hansen - Gray Area (12/16/2011)

Has it almost been a month since my last post?  Where did the time go?  Well, it's been a busy month betweem the job hunt, a wedding, a funeral and life in general - let's just say, "things have really been going on!" I have been, however, polishing my nails.  


So what have you missed?  OPI's Warm & Fozzie - I just couldn't take it off and wore it for two weeks straight! Also, really liked OPI's Designer De Better.  I will have posts of these soon.  Now on to what I'm wearing today.  Sally Hansen's Gray Area which is inspired from a handbag that I purchased recently from the Junior Drake Warehouse sale.

Junior Drake - Gia

Color Description: Is it gray? Is it purple? Is it taupe? It's a "Gray Area" is what it is.  It's very unique as far as creme lacquers go and it's very wearable.  Stays in the dark family but does not go black indoors - nice!

Similar To: This is the creme version of Chanel Paradoxal and Dare To Wear's Fortune.  A very rich looking color, indeed.

OTT Lite with Light Box

This Look: One coat of Starting Over After Artificials, two coats of Gray Area and one coat of Shine & Hold.


Price Point/Availability: I'm almost certain that this is in Sally Hansen's core line and can be found at most drugstore's for no more than $2.99.


Now if you can imagine this dark gray handbag that in certain light looks like the picture below which is some sort of grayish purple - this is what the Gia bag in Shadow looks like.  


More about Junior Drake coming soon!  One of my favorite handbag designers of 2010-2011...

Pink Wednesday: OPI - Teenage Dream over Sally Hansen Pink Diamond

One good thing about living on the West Coast is that I have a few more hours to get my Pink Wednesday look published...  Yay for L.A.!  


Here's Teenage Dream over Pink Diamond and at first, it was just going to be Pink Diamond but I decided to prettify (lol - prettify looks like it's a real word) it with Teenage Dream and it worked out nicely,


No real details will be given about this look today but if you have any questions, please, please, please, ask me.  Now on to the definition of prettify...


pret·ti·fy

tr.v. pret·ti·fied, pret·ti·fy·ing, pret·ti·fies

To make pretty or prettier, especially in a superficial or insubstantial way.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri - Bronze Ablaze (09/24/2011)

If this isn't a Fall color, I don't know what is?  Not only does this lacquer remind me of Autumn, it also reminds me that it's time to switch out my closet from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter.  Browns, rusts, and olives will be the theme of my wardrobe for the next six months.  But back to the topic at hand, Bronze Ablaze...


Color Description: Bronze Ablaze is a great name for this lacquer because it glows from within with golden undertones reminding me of a beautiful bronze statue. Shows as a frost in certain lighting.


Similar To: Nothing that I can think of or that I own.


This Look: Two coats of Bronze Ablaze and one coat of Maybelline Infinite Shine. 


Price Point/Availability: This is a recent Fall 2011 edition to the Sally Hansen line.  I'm not seeing this available anywhere online, however, it should be available at most drugstores.


Talk to you lovelies later!

Sally Hansen - Infinite Natural (3/12/2011)

Infinite Natural is yet another lacquer from my Sally Hansen Nail Glam Party Pack and just so happened to be Allure's 2008 Readers' Choice Winner voted most "Natural Looking Nail Polish" of the year in the drugstore brand category. I would have to agree.

Color Description:  This is a soft creamy nude pink, with a hint of shimmer that will go with anything.  I chose this color because I wanted something muted for my cousin's memorial service today; she was only 36 and died from Lupus complications.  Though, this color's name is Infinite Natural, to die this young is so unnatural.  She will be missed but definitely has future hope awaiting her.

Similar To:  This is very close, if not the exact tone of OPI's Dulce de Leche and when held under natural lighting you will see the barely noticeable shimmer in both bottles.  So if you have one, you may not need the other.

This Look:  NEW PICS: So, this is three coats of Infinite Natural with one coat of Sally Hansen Mega Shine. Whew, much better!
EDIT: All I will say about this look is, "Don't look too close".  So this morning I show my husband my nails and ask him, "How do they look?"  He replies, "What happened?  Whatever it is you need to take it off.  It looks like you've been working..."  New pic coming soon, ladies - lol!

Price Point/Availability:  This lacquer, though discontinued, can be found online or somewhere in a Sally Hansen Glam Pack, in a city near you.  I recently purchased mine at Rite Aid on clearance.

Well, it's 1:40a and I need to get some rest for tomorrow's activities.  Please take care of yourselves and by all means stay well-polished.

Sally Hansen Color Quick Pen - Midnight (3/5/2011)

Incandescent Lighting

Painting nails with a pen is an interesting concept and not necessarily in a good way.  For instance, I kept getting the paint all over my hands, I dropped the pen and it got on the bedspread and the carpet.  It was kind of a nightmare but the color is nice. Isn't that all that matters?


Color Description/Application:  Midnight is a deep blue shimmer that looks creme in dim lighting.  It went on well, but the formula was oddly greasy and smears easily if you're not careful and me having butter fingers tonight didn't help the situation.


Similar To: Midnight is not at all unusual; similar to many dark blues on the market.  The only thing different about this polish is the click-pen application and the formula.

Camera Flash

This Look:  I have on two coats of the nail lacquer and one coat of Z Super Dry topcoat (will not be keeping this look on for long so did not apply a base coat and grabbed the first t/c could find).


Price Point/Availability:  Ulta is selling these pens online for $3.89 ea.  I picked mine up in the  Sally Hansen Nail Glam Party Pack at Rite Aid for 75% of the retail price of $9.99.  So I received 5 colors, a few treatments and some nail tools for a little over $2.00 after tax - woohoo!!!


Well, have a well-polished weekend!

Milani - Silver Dazzle (01/29/2011)

Color Description:  Milani's Silver Dazzle (SD) One Coat Glitter lacquer is a blackened charcoal glitter that really comes alive with the right topcoat!  However, without a topcoat it's the closest thing to asphalt that I've ever worn on my nails - from the look to the texture, it's very dark and intriguing.  I wore SD to a gala last night with a long black dress and this jacket, it was a perfect match.


Similar To:  You tell me?  No serious, I'd love to hear what else this is close to because I pulled out my OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous and Brand New Skates - similar in color but look and texture, definitely not dupes.  SD contains brilliant chunky glitter, while the others are more fine and subdued.


This Look:  Okay so you can wear this color multiple ways. 1) one coat lacquer, no topcoat - for that asphalt look and feel, or 2) one coat lacquer, one coat topcoat - for a semi-flat, still textured look, or lastly, like I'm wearing in the pic, 3) two coats lacquer, two coats topcoat - for an out of this world blackened charcoal glitter-fest on the nail.  I was in a rush last night so I wore option #2.

Topcoat Recommendation:  Tonight I had a bit more time so I put on one more coat of SD and a new top coat I'm trying out called Sally Hansen NailShine Miracle (click to read box description) and though it is not a quick dry, it is great for this type of finish, a gritty glitter that absorbs the shine from a top coat - your nails will still look nice but not spectacular.  Well, I topped it off with a quick dry and wahlah the shiniest, most spectacular glitter mani I've laid my eyes on!


Price Point/Availability:  Milani SD is said to be installed in the core line eventually, however, when I picked it up it retailed for $5.00 and was on a promotional display.  I still see some CVS's with this display so you should be able to find it.  The NailShine Miracle is currently clearance priced at CVS for 75% off and that's the only reason why I tried it.  I'm so glad I did, this stuff is AMAZING.


Have you tried any of the products in this review?  If so, please let me know your well-polished thoughts!  Until next time, have an awesome week...

Sally Hansen - Rockstar Candy (11/30/2010)

I'm not quite sure what kind of candy Rockstar's eat, but Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure's rendition, Rockstar Candy (RC), is gorgeous and is definitely eye candy for us nail polish fanatics!

Color Description:  As you can see in the pics, RC looks totally different in varying lights.  It can look like a soft shimmering mauve with purplish pink hues or it can look like a flat out raspberry frost in all of its glory.  IRL, however, it looks more like the first picture than the second.

Price Point:  This nail lacquer goes for about $8.00 in drugstores but if you wait for a deal and double up on your coupons you can get them for a steal.

Similar To:  I honestly can't tell you what this looks like to me because I don't have anything else like it.  I don't usually buy these types of pinks.  This is definitely a more mature and sophisticated pink, IMO.

DESIGNER SERIES: OPI DS Glamour (10/19/2010)

OPI's Designer Series has been described as jewels for your nails and DS Glamour definitely does not disappoint!  

This royal holographic, prismatic beauty is a stunner and it's taken far to long to wear it...  The application goes on pretty sheer so I decided to layer it over an older Revlon called Typhoon.

Glamour was released in February 2007 and Typhoon dates back to 2003 or before.  Both were picked up this year at mom & pop type beauty supplies.  At any rate, they are a great compliment to each other.  

I like the idea of "stretching" my nicer colors by layering them on top of a similar color so that I won't use as much.  And this combo looks like it was made for each other :).

 

This Look: 1 coat of Typhoon, 2 coats of Glamour and 1 coat of Mega Shine.

Do you have Typhoon or Glamour?  What are you thoughts?  

Stay well-polished and for some of you stay dry (Los Angeles residents).  It's a gloomy rainy Tuesday but my mani will keep my mood up, I'm sure :).

TRAVEL: I ♥ NY!

My recent trip to New York proved fruitful in the sense that I found my (short time) lemming - Sally Hansen's Mystic Lilac (ML)...

ML is very sheer so you will need an opaque base of some sort, I chose the nail color Confetti Moonstruck, which I also picked up in NY. 

My husband thought I was insane because every drug store we walked by, (yes, we did lots and lots of walking) I just had to check to see, "what was new".  The first Duane Reade had the new display but it was missing ML - boooo!  

The second one I checked, a few days later, had an underground cosmetics department and the new Xtreme Wears were untouched.  So I picked up ML, Fireberry Red, and Purple Gala, yes, I left the second ML standing there for some other person to discover.  

The first chance I got I, layered ML over my current mani and it was so great, I had to go get the back-up and yes it was still there - untouched.

Here's a pic of Confetti Moonstruck on it's own.  It's so pretty I had a hard time layering ML over it but there will be other times for Moonstruck, I'm certain.

Needless to say, I ♥ NY...  Wishing a well-polished weekend to you all!

OPI Mod Hatter over SH Stony Creme

I really wanted to use my untried OPI Mod Hatter for a more conservative look this week but when I swatched on my nail it was ridiculously sheer (however, this would make a great french top coat). 

This is what it looks like on the nail over SH Stoney Creme.  It has a slight shimmer and hopefully will wear well.

I was happy to use my, Sally Hansen's Stony Creme (Hard As Wraps), which I recently found on clearance at CVS for $1.00!  It was so simple and pretty that I had to get it. 

This combo is awesome together and I hope you like it.  If you're having a difficult time with your Mod Hatter, this just might be the solution for you!

Thanks for stopping by and hope this is finding you "well-polished"!