Tweezerman Nail Buffing Block Review

 Sooo... Bridgerton Season Four. I was undecided on if I was going to watch it but of course I tuned in for this season. And also watched the last season again. I think this season was based on my favorite book of the series...but I do not like show version of  Benedict so it's hard for me to get into their story. Also, all Bridgerton men are written the same. They are all "rakes" that then turn into the perfect husband. And so we have all just tuned in to watch pretty much the same story over and over. It's about the journey though and some of them have been better than others. I think Pen and Colins was the least developed somehow- the only scene I really enjoyed between them was the carriage scene and somehow the book version was still slightly better. 

Anyway. before I drone on and on about Bridgerton- let's get back to a rather boring review. 

Tweezerman claims: 

File, buff, smooth and shine nails to perfection. Comes with 4 peel-off replacement pads for each side to easily replace worn pads.

I think it was made in Korea- lost the packaging now and can't find it anywhere online. 

I've taken more of interest in my nails this year so I keep this a bit more handy than usual. But still rarely use it. I like that you can easily replace the pads- though I have yet to do so. I do love that it comes with replaceable pads. I haven't seen any other blocks that do the same. Yay for some slight sustainability.

It has four sides. Some work better than others. 

The first side I'm not a fan of. It's the "file" side. I find the shape a bit more awkward to use than a regularly shaped file. Works in a pinch though.

The second side is buff. I try not to do that much either because my nails are on the weaker and thinner side and buffing removes layers. I do it as needed and very rarely. 

Next side is smooth. I should probably give it more use. But I just rely on my base coat to do all the smoothing. When I use the buffer I do use the smooth side after. It works OK.

And last up the shine side. I don't think this works as well as other files I have had in the past. I have gotten far shinier nails. This does OK. Gives you the look of polish sans polish. I don't use this side much either because when I am doing my nails I am typically preparing to polish them. I think if you shine them before hand polish doesn't last as long cause it's harder to bind to a shiny surface.

Overall, not a must have item. I only reach for it occasionally. But it's nice to have when I need it. 

OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover Review

I've been painting my nails a lot more lately...trying to review all the polishes I have had for years and years and never reviewed. I'm getting through them slowly but surely . I even ordered a new color today. I wanted a light tangerine orange shade and I think I found the perfect one. I'm really trying to only add colors I don't have these days...instead of constantly buying duplicates of the same colors I already have.... 

OPI claims:

Sweeps away even the darkest lacquer shades without the drying effects of harsh removers!

I heard great things about this remover and it's from the great OPI brand so I wanted to see if there was a difference between this and off brand or Cutex polish removers. I definitely mostly think nail polish removers are almost all the same. As long as they are acetone based.

And I do like this one. It gets some of the micro glitter polishes I have off with extreme ease. It removes colors that are harder to remove like reds and blues pretty easily too. So it definitely does what it's supposed to.

It's not scented...and it definitely smells like nail polish remover but it's not as strong as some of the ones I have tried in the past. 

The only thing is I think it might be a little too strong for my nails. Every once in awhile I notice when I take it off, my nails are extra split to where I can peel it off pretty easily. So it might be just a bit more drying on my nails than I would want. Especially since I am using remover on my nails more often.

It is kinda pricey for how much you get. You can get through this little bottle quickly if you do your nails often so if you do live in the states and you love it- it would be way more cost effective to buy the refill bottle. 

The packaging is...meh. I kept my old Zoya bottle and I refilled it with the OPI. That's the way to go! 

I think I need something a bit more gentle on the nails. But if you have strong nails that are not prone to splitting you might like it.

Butter London P.D Quick Dy Conditioning Drops Review

 I'm back again for an another quick review....before I go and spend some time in the kitchen. I am just in the mood to make a really nice meal...and dessert. I'll probably put on some Christmas music or a Christmas movie so I can start getting into the holiday mood- it is December 1st after all! 

Butter London claims:

Dry oil serum that accelerates dry time and conditions cuticles

Helps accelerate nail lacquer dry time and help prevent nicks and colour smudges

I find quick dry drops come in handy...I always keep the Essence one's on hand...just in case I need to do a quick polish and dash. I want to try some from other brands- even though I love the Essence branded one. Also it's a bargain at two euro! The only thing is not a lot of brands will ship to me from Amazon. This one does though! 

I think I overpaid the first time I bought this. And then I repurchased again because most of the first container I had spilled and I wanted to test it out more before I reviewed it. I think the second time I paid 12-13 dollars. It's overpriced for sure.

It comes in plastic packaging and you switch out the plastic lid with the dropper lid. The Essence one is glass....

The first thing I noticed was the scent..it smells nice. Kinda reminds me of Lush Honey I Washed the Kids. It's a very light smell though...I do like it.

You drop it on and it is shiny and seems oily. It does dry the top layer...but the bottom layer takes longer to dry and I find if I don't wait long enough I get smudges and nicks...it just doesn't work as well as it should at that price point. The Essence one is better...and way cheaper.

Another thing...ingredeints aren't great. A lot of plastic type and very cheap ingredients.

Ingredients:

Disiloxane, Dimethicone, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Cinnamyl Alcohol

Overall, I have purchased twice but won't be buying it again...it's just extremely overpriced for what it is.

Butter London Signature Glass Cuticle Pusher Review

I really need to paint my nails...I just need to find a good movie or show to watch before I get started. I went through a moment of buying all the things I need to do any at home mani because I don't get my nails done.  I thought about getting a pedicure for a brief moment too but ultimately just bought the stuff to keep doing it myself. The most convenient place to me charges about 60 euro which is insanely high for something that only lasts a few weeks at most.

Butter London claims:

Benefit

Preps nails for a professional-looking at-home manicure.

Made in China

I already have the tools I need but I saw a set on Macy's that had the cuticle remover and thought having a backup set of tools would be a good thing to have. I was especially interested in the glass cuticle pusher. Glass files are a dime a dozen but this was completely new to me. 

And I like it. I'm glad to have it in my arsenal. It's easy to push your cuticle back and also get a little exfoliation because sometimes cuticle tissue is sticky. I can use this on my fingernails and skip a liquid cuticle remover. It makes it easy to get everything back. I think a metal one is still good for pushing the skin but this is great for the actual cuticle. 

It has a little sleeve to keep it safe. I've had it for awhile now and have managed to not break it. 

The other end can be used to scrape any dirt from under the nails...I don't normally use that side since I tend to pick under my nails but usually my nails don't attract a lot of dirt since I keep my nails short. 

Overall, I'm glad to have it in my collection. I love my metal pusher....but every now and again this is handy to reach for! I recommend the gift set if you can find it because it made the price so much better than purchasing alone.

I like it, glad to have it in my nail tools...

Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Remover Review

I was going to do this post yesterday but I ended up falling asleep. Which almost never happens, I think because I was hyper fixated on watching/listening to stuff about the Hurricane. Truly horrific...the US can't catch a break right now. Sending all my prayers to the people of Florida. I can't imagine the panic they must have felt- especially when you hear of people trying to leave and getting stuck because gas stations ran out of gas etc. 

It seems off to talk about this and go on to a review of something so trivial but...my writing posts is stress relief for me. So here we go...

Butter London claims: 

Gently remove dry, overgrown cuticles in minutes

The Irish Moss-infused formula helps soften the look of cuticles, making it easier to push back cuticles.

Made in USA

I usually keep a cuticle remover to use on my nails...pushing back or melting away overgrown cuticles makes your nail polish look so much better. I didn't always take care of my cuticles and can tell the difference when I do my nails. Lately I have been keeping on top of it...especially for a pedicure.

This is definitely pricey for a cuticle remover....but I bought this in a set that came with a glass file and a glass cuticle pusher- so although this was pricey and I did get the mini bottle- the price was better. The usual bottle is .4 ounces with the price being $18.00. 

I can tell you I don't think it's worth it. It doesn't do anything that the much more cost effective Sally Hansen doesn't do. 

I even like the packaging better on the Sally one. I do like that this comes in glass packaging- it still does have a plastic lid though. But for ease of application the squeeze bottle is just easier to use rather than trying to load up the brush this comes with and then brush on. 

I do like that this seems a bit thicker though, it stays where you put it.

It doesn't have a scent unless you intentionally smell it...and then it smells awful. If you don't smell it, it probably won't bother you though. 

Otherwise it does help you scrape up the cuticle off the nails which makes your nails look better and polish last longer. I have mostly been using it for DIY pedicures- I'm not sure this is gentle enough on my nails since I've had more splitting and peeling but it could be something else. 

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua/Eau), Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Isopropyl Myristate, Laureth-7.

Overall, I wouldn't buy this again....but glad I tried it. 

Zwilling Twinox Cuticle Cutter and Cuticle Pusher Review

 I'm having the ultimate do nothing weekend. I didn't even go to the grocery store. I really haven't done much of anything except a little working out..it's been so nice. Every now and again you just need a weekend like that. Now that the day is winding down, figured I would do a quick review. 

Zwilling claims:

• 2-in-1 combination instrument with nail cleaner and cuticle pusher 
• Design: the cuticle pusher and nail cleaner is characterised by an ergonomic shape 
• Production to perfection: rust-proof matt satin stainless steel is brought to perfection in a high quality finish 
• Features a triangular, tapered nail cleaner and a rounded cuticle pusher for easy, precise cleaning and care of the nail edges and beds 
• Premium nail care tool for nails - for beautiful toenails, feet, fingernails and hands
• 
  

• Sharp, angled blades for extra precise results 
• Inspired by the simple functionality of tweezers for the removal of irritating skin residue without tearing or pulling on the skin 
• Production to perfection: rust-proof matt satin stainless steel is brought to perfection in a high-quality finish 
• Premium quality with innovative Diamond Like carbon coating in matt black; can be disinfected with alcohol 
• Quality nail care from Zwilling for optimal results and optimal ease of use

Over the summer I really wanted to get my nails done, mostly for some cuticle care. They were looking a mess and the stuff I bought to maintain them really wasn't doing a great job. I couldn't really find a place with good reviews that made me want to try out and I really didn't want to end up going somewhere that would just end up disappointing, especially at the prices they are charging these days. 

Around the same time I had about a month of Amazon Prime and also a "gift" card I wanted to use. I was in need of a cuticle pusher since I recently threw one away (it was terrible quality! I had it for years though). They have a lot of selection but I wanted to go for something higher quality and not made in China.  Basically I wanted to treat myself. So I ended up buying from Zwilling, which is made in Germany.

They are definitely high quality and I will probably have them for a lifetime. The cuticle pusher is really effective and miles better than my previous one. But I do have to be careful with it. I tend to be rough when pushing them back and one of the first times I used it I pushed so hard it slipped and kinda sliced my finger (no blood). Since then I have been really careful and gentle. When used properly though, I really do like them and they do a great job of scraping everything up.

After I'm done pushing the cuticles back, sometimes there is cuticle that sticks up,  so I clip it off the with Cutters. They are almost like nail clippers for your cuticle. It's really hard to over cut or hurt myself with them. That being said, they aren't the sharpest, and sometimes take some pushing/pulling to cut. I'm sure there are better and sharper ones out there but I do like that these feel a little "safer". You do risk infection if you cut too much of your cuticle. It's probably best to not cut them, but I like to get rid of excess. I don't go too crazy, just a nip or two here and there.

Overall, I'm glad to have them in my nail care collection. I'll probably have them forever...

Sally Hansen Nail Rehab Charcoal Resurfacer Nail and Cuticle Exfoliator Review

 If you are looking for a way to waste $9.99, look no further than this nail scrub. I bought this about 2 days ago. I like trying out new nail/cuticle maintenance things and this looked interesting. Plus there was no price sticker on it..or else I probably would have left it right there in the store. $9.99 is way overpriced.

Sally Hansen Claims:

Nails and cuticles look vibrant, hydrated, and nourished. Free of impurities, nails are smoothed, prepped for polish and perfectly cleansed. Dare to go bare.

A deep cleanse for your nails - Buffs away impurities for bright, moisturized & nourished nails - Retains moisture - Increases healing - Smooths nail and cuticle texture

]Made in USA with Foreign Parts 

Charcoal is popping up in everything-scrubs, soaps, masks..and even nail scrubs. I knew that hand scrubs were a thing...but nail scrub? Not necessary but might be fun little self care thing to add to the routine. 

If it worked. I was able to do about 7 nails when the tube stopped up and would no longer dispense. It doesn't come out anymore so I would probably have to cut it open to use. Which is not cool, especially at the price point. 

Packaging fail.

Before that happened..I was able to tell there is nothing really special about it. The little silicone brush doesn't really do a good job of scrubbing. The sugar particles are too big and tend sit on the side of the nail or cuticle part you are trying to scrub. Overall it just felt like a big waste of time.. And my nails weren't resurfaced, and cuticles still needed attention. And also slight staining from my nail polish was still there. 

It does have a perfume smell, but you really can't smell it unless you put it right under your nose.

They recommend using it everyday..but just trying it the first time and seeing the amount of time it took to scrub ( and it still didn't scrub), even if it  did work, who has the time?

I will probably end up cutting it open and just using it as a hand scrub to get rid of it because I'm too lazy too take it back.

Ingredients:

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, POLYETHYLENE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, OZOKERITE, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, PHENOXYETHANOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, BENZYL SALICYLATE, MICA, SILICA, BHT, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), D&C RED NO. 6 (CI 15850).

So overall, it's trash. I can see this being discontinued very soon. You can make your own hand scrub, scrub those nailed,  and call it a day.

Essence Cuticle Remover Review

My last cuticle remover met its unfortunate demise when I accidentally dropped/tossed it on the floor and the glass shattered. I had that remover for years and years and then it was gone in one drop. Whoops. And I actually liked that remover. Anyway, I was in need. I do my own nails and I like to do some cuticle maintenance just because it makes everything look better and by scraping the sticky cuticle off your nail plate your nail polish lasts longer.. 

Essence claims:

Fast, faster, fastest cuticle remover! This gel removes cuticles in a matter of seconds. Required time of exposure? 15 seconds and your cuticles are softened. The integrated cuticle pusher makes removing overhanging cuticles even easier. it doesn’t get any faster than this.

I got this on sale, so I only paid about a Euro for it. I think it's normally two so definitely doesn't break the bank- but it shouldn't because it's just cuticle remover. 

I like that it comes in the glass bottle. Since last year's accident I've been being much more careful and not tossing it around. I like glass because it's easy to recycle, as plastic is not. But..that being said my favorite application of cuticle remover has been the Sally Hansen one that comes in the plastic squeeze bottle. I like squeezing it on rather than painting it on. It seems hard to really get it on without constantly re-dipping the brush.

So application is...not my favorite.

As for the instructions, you struggle it on and then wait 15 seconds before pushing your cuticles. Easy. Usually I let it set awhile but lately I've been impatient and get to scraping immediately. It does OK. I'm not amazed. For the best results, it's definitely best to use it regularly for manicures or pedicures. 

I think I prefer the Sally Hansen one over this as I think it does work a tad better and lasted me for years. I'm already half-way through the bottle and I haven't have it that long.

Ingredients:

AQUA (WATER), GLYCERIN, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, CARBOMER, POTASSIUM SORBATE, MARIS AQUA (SEA WATER), PHENOXYETHANOL

I bought orange sticks to go with them. Orange sticks are my favorite tool for pushing my cuticles. I have cuticle cutters, metal ones, plastic but it's something about the wooden sticks. They just work. They last me awhile because I reuse. I don't think there's a difference brand to brand but I like them. They were double the price of the remover. 

On second thought, I bought a metal one and the metal one is so much better. Save yourself the expense of purchasing these over and over and get yourself a good metal one! 

It's average. Does the job in a pinch, but probably not something I will repurchase once I run out.

Kiss Glass File Review

Has anyone else been neglecting their nails because of this quarantine? I was...for about the first two weeks. Unfortunately my nails are really weak and split, snag and break if I don't keep polish on them. So it's back to keeping them painted...also color on my nails make me happy...so that's another reason. 

Keeping my nails trimmed and shaped is necessary. All my files were worn down or broken so I decided to just get another glass file. Not from Online...but right in my local store. They ALWAYS break when I order them through the mail. 

Kiss claims:

For shaping and smoothing natural nails. Durable and hygienic.

I like glass files because as long as you don't break them, they last longer than the disposable ones. Also they are way easier to sanitize with alcohol. And help minimize trash waste.

The being said...this is decent. I don't like it as much as an OPI I had a couple years back. This one is just feels slightly more dull.

It still gets the job done...and I do still like it. 

I think it's gentler on my nails that regular files and I get less splitting. I still need to file in one direction though...or else I do get some splits. 

I'm not sure they sell them in the U.S. I couldn't find them on the US Website at all..

It won't be the last glass file I buy. But I'll likely have it and keep using it the next couple of years....

Poshe Super Shiny Non-Yellowing Top Coat Review

When I was young I was obsessed with nails and nail polish....especially fake nails. Oddly enough I still have never gotten any type of acrylics in my adult life. When I was in elementary/middle/high school I always had some sort of kit for press on/acrylic nails. I rarely wore it out (because it always looked a hot mess!), but I loved playing around with them.

As an adult I just like plain old short painted nails. These days they have all types of gel manicures that you can wear and you can even do them yourself at home. I looked into it quite a bit...and although it's great that your polish can look flawless for 3 weeks at a time, I would get bored looking at the same color for three weeks. Also I don't like that it takes quite a bit of work to remove. So gel polish isn't my thing. But I can see why a lot of people love it! 

Although I'm not into gel polish I still want my nail polish to last at least a couple of days before it starts to chip and flake off. A good top coat is really the key.

I tried Seche Vite back in the day. But I don't like that the bottle goes thick so quickly. I also don't like that it contains one of the big three that can cause health problems. So although I've gone through a few bottles, I wouldn't rebuy.

I think I tried Poshe first anyway. I found a kit in Ross that had it, along with the thinner and the cuticle cream.

This doesn't look as good as usual- I'm down the the last of the bottle and put way too thick of a layer...it didn't come out how it usually does. But it's wearable! 

So far, it's my favorite top coat EVER. It corrects any bumps you made in the color layer. It dries mega fast (no more waking up with sheet marks!), and it's pretty glossy. It also doesn't look too thick on the nails (although I do like that look!).

It's a nail polish game changer! The pics are a couple days after applying.

I get at least  2-3 days of completely chip free wear...all the way up to 5 days. Which is basically a miracle for my nails because most time they chip within the hour along with a ton of smudges.

It can get a little thick towards the very bottom. But nothing like the Seche Vite top coat. 

I love this stuff. It is the best top coat I have ever tried in my life. 

I will probably always buy this top coat. I still do like to try other stuff from time to time...but I'm thinking about just keeping a supply of back up bottles.

Nail Care Review: Ebelin Pumice Stone and Nail Brush, Revlon Nail Clippers

Lately I've really been into painting my nails. Not necessarily nail art like I used to always do. But just always keeping them shaped and painted and my cuticles pushed backI had a couple months where I just took a break and mostly rocked the naked look. But I love nail polish and I like my hands so much more when my nails have a fun color on them. So of course with being into my nails..I like to pick up stuff to take care of them. And that means I have a few things to review. 

1. Ebelin Pumice Stone- Having dead skin on your heels is not a cute look. I don't usually have a problem but for some reason this summer I did. So I picked this up. It works. But it doesn't get everything super smooth. I didn't pay much. It seems to be the German drugstore bargain brand. It's OK. If you use it often it works. My heels are back to normal now though so I don't really use it as much. But I do keep it...just in case. But I wouldn't recommend it...nor buy it again! Soaking in Epsom salts will get you halfway there without the pumice stone.

2.  Ebelin Nail Brush- So now that I'm into doing my own manicure...I like to get my nail scrub on. It helps a little with removing nail polish staining. So I went for this one. Because the wooden ones seem to be a little bit more sustainable than plastic. I'm really trying to not buy so much plastic. The first time I used it, split down the middle. It still does the job. But it should not be splitting like that. 

I think the bristles are boar hair. Meh.

I do like that it has a side where you can really get under your nails because it come to a point. And the other flat side is good for scrubbing a bigger surface. But that split...so...no recommendation. And I don't think I will be buying anything else by the brand no matter how affordable it seems. 

3. Revlon Nail Clippers- I'm one of those people that always looses nail clippers. I don't know where all the ones I have bought over the years have disappeared to. It seems like every time I turned around I was buying the 99 cent ones from Rite Aide. So I found myself in need of another pair. Of course. So I bought the Revlon ones. It wasn't too pricey. Maybe 2-5 dollars. They are made in China. And they work. They don't leave snags. But they don't seem to clip cleanly either. It's hard to explain. They do the job. But they aren't the best. 

I'll just keep using them until I inevitably lose them.

And that's all for today! 

Gold Glitter Nails

I've been really into watching nail polish tutorials lately. Mostly acrylic/gel nails. So much so I've been thinking of buying an acrylic system and giving it a try. But then another part of me thinks I should put that time, effort, and money into growing my nails out. But......I really hate long nails. I just feel like all kinds of icky stuff gets stuck under them and I can't stand it so I always cut them down.

Back in the day (middle school), I used to buy those Kiss Acrylic and Gel kits and attempt to make nails myself. But they never worked and then I would be stuck with the glue on my nails for awhile and it was not cute.

I probably won't do the acrylics. But I did pull out some loose nail glitter that I've had for years and made my first attempt at a glitter nail.

And it's so pretty. But kind of thick looking. The first hand I needlessly did two coats of glitter. The second hand came out better- less thick. Then I topped it with two topcoats- OPI Top Coat (hate it)  and Poshe (LOVE!). 

Wearing two top coats has really been working on my nails- although I prolly wouldn't buy the OPI for the combination again. It does make my nail polish last for the most part about 4-5 days without chipping AND it stays shiny. But it can be an expensive combo so I'm mostly doing it to get rid of the OPI. 

So I'm just going to use it until the bottle is gone.

I used OPI Goldeneye. And then an OPI gold multi-color glitter which would not photograph anywhere near as nicely as it actually looked. It has the prettiest rainbow effect in certain lights.

I'm going to keep experimenting with the glitter. And maybe pull out my stamping system again. 

Nail Art Haul

Lately I've been into nail art. My interest in nail art wavers...I can be super into it and then other times I forget all about it. A couple years back I picked up a couple Konad plates but had a hard time finding ones that would ship to Germany for a reasonable price. I had no idea there was a cheaper plate out called Born Pretty which you can get on eBay for under $2 and free shipping.

So I picked up a couple.

Here are a few I got.

This one isn't a Born Pretty plate- But I like the star image.

I love owls so I had to pick this one up. It's already kind of scratched up but it still works!

Love the animals...This would look amazing on a yellow/orange background!

More star images. Not sure what was going on that day but apparently I needed every star image plate I came across!

Bought this plate for the heart image....I just love it! I think I'm gonna use that one first!

And then I found some really cool decals. Which I've never been into...because I thought they were hard to apply. Shame on me! 

I picked up some Wonder Woman nail decals because I want wonder woman nails and I can't draw.

Then I picked up some Martin Luther King decals from Nail Dots and Malcolm X from Cha Cha Nails. I want my nails to be socially conscious!

Not sure how that design is going to turn out but I'm excited to start!

And that's it! I have enough to keep my occupied for awhile.

Owl Nails

I haven't really done anything to my nails in awhile. Which is pretty sad....I used to have to so much fun coming up with nail designs! A couple months back a blog I follow used a stamping plate with and owl design! I absolutely love owls...so I had to go on eBay and order that same plate plus another that came up when I searched it. 

I haven't stamped in awhile so the first time back to stamping was a COMPLETE disaster. It's getting a bit easier but I'm still not very good at it. Most of it was because the polish I was using to stamp sucks. I found an old black that was sitting in my drawer and use that...it came out pretty good. I could still use some work...a little more imagination maybe. 

But I really do like it. I can't help but think I need to add some glitter somewhere though.....

Ignore the sloppiness....I don't do cleanup. All the excess just usually peels off in a couple hours. 

Still loving the Badger Cuticle Balm! Although my cuticles could use some pushing back- I was just too lazy to do it today!

Zebra Nails

My KONAD has been sitting in the corner again. I just have been too lazy to use it. And every time I use it again I wonder why..because it's so easy. 

I did a PINK ZEBRA before but I just wanted a regular zebra this time. 

As you can see I'm sorely out of practice. My design came out blurry and spotty...

But it still looks good from a distance. 

Now I just need to pull out my plates and get to stamping...especially since I want to buy a few more plates! 

Bringing Shatter Back

Does anyone wear shatter polish anymore? I didn't either until I was going through my colors and found my blue and white one. Of course I had to rock them.

For some reason both are really clunky. Even shaking them doesn't return them to original smoothness. But that doesn't bother me.

I came up with the best color combo. Blue and Gold. And I got a lot of compliments. Most people thought it was some type of sticker.

I was in love. I'll definitely be rocking that again. 

Don't mind the chips. I had it on for three days when I decided to take pics!

As for the white one, I don't really like it that much. White shatter just isn't very exciting. I paired it with black...and I just don't like it. Maybe I just need to find a better combo.

And don't mind the sloppiness. I just wait for that to come off when I shower. (I'm lazy!)

I need to step my nail game up though. That's my cue to head to youtube!

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops

I've been so busy lately I haven't really had time to do my nails lately. So they're naked. I usually repaint every three days like clockwork...but what can I say? All the hard work is paying off though because I have a 4.0 GPA in grad school! Let's hope I can keep it up!

Originally I wanted the OPI drops but I couldn't find them anywhere and didn't really want to order. So when someone recommended these to me and I found them for less than three bucks, I couldn't really pass it up. I found mine in a Germany store but as I hear it they are available at K-mart.

Anyway, after you polish you drop 1-2 drops on each nail. It leaves a little oil but you can easily wash that off.

I find it depends on the type of nail polish I use, sometimes it dries really quickly in under five minutes...other times it takes longer. But it does help. It dried one of my nail colors that refuses to dry otherwise.

It's not a miracle in a bottle and I don't find it to work as fast as the Seche Vite topcoat (if your familiar with that stuff)...but it helps. 

So I'll be buying another bottle. And soon.

It really can't hurt!!!

Gold Leopard Print Nails

My KONAD has been collecting dust. I just haven't been using it. Which is strange because I paint my nails every two or three days. It's therapeutic for me. 

But I had a gold glitter on my nails that is gorgeous but it didn't pop like I wanted it to. So I decided to add leopard print.

And I LOVE it. It's the second time I'm rocking it.

My Konad skills need a little honing. I haven't used it in awhile so it's almost like I forgot how!!

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

This is off topics...but I just have to get it off my chest. Do any of ya'll watch Game of Thrones? I LOVE that show...but it seems like they killed off a lot of my favorite Stark characters the last episode. I love Rob Stark...and I really liked the mother. It was awful how they did it too. 

But anyway, this is supposed to be a cuticle remover post, so let's get started. I think I paid around five bucks for this. I had seen great reviews for it on youtube so I decided to pick it up. My cuticles need the help!

Sally Hansen claims:

Sally Hansen instant cuticle remover is a cuticle and callus-busting gel. Dissolve dry cuticles in 15 seconds. Cuts manicure time in half. Revolutionary gel formula helps break down excess cuticles. Helps condition and soften dry, rough cuticles. Soothes hangnails. Great for calluses too.

This is so much better than the other cuticle remover I had, but still it's not a miracle. Ignore my horrible peeling nails...it actually doesn't look like it did much in the pictures...

First off, I love that it's clear and a gel like consistancy. It makes it easy to apply and see what your doing.

Another good thing, it works in one minute. I leave it longer because my cuticles need the extra time.

It isn't a product that does all the work though. I find I still have to use a little elbow grease to get the cuticles back. It does improve the look of my cuticles...but it's not a miracle. Some of my cuticles it actually dissolves while some it it stubbornly stays on.

It does claim to help get rid of calluses and I have a bit of rough skin between my thumb and pointer finer so I tried it, but I wasn't impressed. I probably won't try to use it that way again.

Ingredients:

Water, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Overall, I like it. It works much better than the other one I had but I want something...better.

Black and White Polka Dot Nails

Black and White Polka dot pattern is one of my faves.

So I decided to do it on my nails.

It's sloppy, but I haven't used my KONAD is a looong time. 

I think this is plate m57.

I think I'm going to try this again but jazz it up just a little bit.