NOTD: Zoya Casey

PRICE: 3/5 $6 @ Zoya.com
PACKAGING: 5/5
OVERALL: 9.5
REPURCHASE: Yes!

COLOR
Casey is a beautiful dark purple, almost black cream nail polish. Indoors, it looks like a dark purple, and outdoors in the sun it still looks like a dark purple. However, you can see the plum undertones in the sunlight. Casey is true to the bottle. One coat gives a sheer purple-plum color.. With two coats, you get the color of the bottle.

APPLICATION/TEXTURE
Casey is very easy to apply. I do not use the Zoya ColorLock Sysem. Over Poshe's Super-Fast Drying Basecoat, Casey applies smoothly and is thin. However, this polish is meant to be applied using 2 coats. The first coat applies somewhat opaque and somewhat streaky. Applying a second coat will cover all of that up and give the same color of the bottle. Casey dries quickly without the use of a fast dry top coat. I like to use it with Poshe's Super-Fast Dry Topcoat, and it dries within minutes.
On the brush, Casey looks thicky and gloopy, but it isn't. I think it's the nature of the polish. When I apply it, I wipe off one side of the brush. The amount on the brush is enough to cover my nails.

WEAR
Manicure: I've worn this on my tips for a week and there were no major chips, just tipwear. I used Poshe Basecoat and Topcoat.
Pedicure: Using Poshe Basecoat and Topcoat, I wore this for 2 weeks without chipping. There was some wear, but nothing major.

OVERALL
This is a great nail polish, especially if you are interested in vampire colors. I will repurchase once I finish my bottle (that will take awhile!). I can see why this is such a popular color from Zoya.

French Manicure, 3rd Try is a Charm

I have lost interest in makeup, well not totally. I am excited to see MAC's Starflash collection. Anyways, I have recently gotten into taking care of my nails. =)

I used Orly Beverly Hills Manicure: Natural Look Nail Kit. This kit is a good starter kit for those getting into getting their nails done. The instructions tell you to put Bonder, then a layer of Beverly Hills Plum, Sheer White Tips on the tips, a layer of Beverly Hills Plum and In A Snap Topcoat. I tried that method, but I didn't like how it turned out. The tips were too sheer and too pink. I wanted the white to be brighter and darker.

This is the process I used. I let each step dry (~15-20 min) before I proceed.
1) Apply Bonder Basecoat. This dries in 2-3 minutes.
2) Apply a thin layer of Beverly Hills Plum
3) Apply a second layer of Beverly Hills Plum
4) Apply a very thin layer of Sheer White Tips in vertical strokes, starting from the middle and work you way out.
5) Apply a 2nd layer of Sheer White Tips
6) Apply In A Snap Topcoat
7) Apply 2nd coat of In A Snap Topcoat.

This whole process takes about 2 hours, and that didn't include prepping the nail. I know its hard to find 2 hours of absolutely nothing to do, but the results do pay off. While letting it dry, I carefully surfed the internet and watched tv. hehe.

From the picture above, my nails look natural and very shiny, like I just put on clear nail polish (except on the tips.) It's hard to see the plum/grapefruit tint, but it's there.

This is my third time doing my nails within a week. Bad, I know, but I had to. I first bought two orly colors Sheer Peche and Softest White as my French Manicure colors. That was a nice combo, but I didn't like how it took awhile to dry (I think it's my Maybelline Base/Top Coat). Then I attempted using the method given in the kit, but I hated it and painted over the nails again and that didn't dry. So I tried once again and I liked the results!

I wish I had pictures of when I first tried to do this freehand. It came out UGLY! But don't worry with practice it will get better. I also found it easier to do my nails on the floor and rest my hand on my knee while I do it. So I guess it's all about trying to find a method that works.

Product Review : CND Solar Oil

Price: 3/5
Packaging: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Repurchase: Maybe


CND stands for Creative Nail Design. CND Solar Oil is a cuticle oil that is brushed onto their cuticles and massages it in. Pretty Basic huh?

What the box says:

Solar Oil is a synergistic blend of naturally light oils and Vitamin E, designed to deeply penetrate and protect nails and skin.

Directions: Apply daily to top and underside of nail and massage into surrounding skin.

Warning: Discontinue use immediately if irritation develps.

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopheryl Acetate.


Originally, I bought this just to sample it and I hate to say it, but I really love it. It makes my cuticles soft and haven't really gotten any new hangnails since I started to use it. I love how it smells like almonds. It makes me want to put this on constantly. I also broke down and decided to get the 15 ml bottle (.5oz). It retails for $11, but I got it for $7.50 when Ulta had a $3.50 for $10+ purchase. Hehe. The .25 oz retails for $7. Now you see why I gave this such a low score in the price category. It can be found online for cheaper, but I shipping costs offset how cheap it is.

Here's my little army of Solar Oil. I got the small ones from Trade Secret.

I use this after I shower/before bed and in the morning (when I remember). This is a good product for the upcoming winter months since it will most likely be spent indoors with the heater on. The only thing I don't like is it can take a few minutes to sink in and that I have a fear that I will spill it.

There really isn't much more to say. It's glorified oil that you put it on, rub it in, and go on your happy way. I don't think it's a necessity to have. Based on the ingredients, I am sure you can use jojoba oil, almond oil or even olive oil. I just got it because it smells nice. LOL. Will I repurchase? Probably not because by the time I finish off the bottles, I think I would have my own concoction of cuticle oil.

Newfound Knowledge of Nails

For the past month, I have been on the MUA Nail Board. I love it and I love the wealth of information they have. It's hard to find stuff on the internet, but I like how everything is there. I also have found other blogs to read too.

The ladies on the Nail Board are awesome. Here's what I have learned:

1) Seche Vite (or Poshe) Fast Dry Top Coat - I currently have a small bottle of Seche Vite and I love it. It dries my nail polish in less than 5 min and it is dry to touch in less than 30. It's better than Orly Sec N' Dry.

2) Nail Polish Thinner - I did not know these things existed. I always thought nail polish remover helps thin nail it, but I was wrong. I have yet to purchase thinner, but I learned thinner is thinner. You can use the one from Sally's and it will work fine.

3) Creative Nail Design Solar Oil - I love this stuff! It makes my cuticles very soft! It's just an expensive cuticle oil that you put on your cuticles and rub it in. It's basically glorified mixture of almond, jojoba and a variety of other oils. I am pretty sure I can concoct something together, but I love this stuff. And it smells good too! I don't think this really strengthens and increases the growth of my nails. I think the massaging encourages circulation, hence healthier nails.

4) Glass nail files are your friend. I purchased one from Sephora, and I am in love! Glass files are much more gentler on the nails. Ever since purchasing one, I haven't had a nail clipper come close to them. My nails haven't even split at the sides nor have I had any snags (I am very prone to snags).

5) File nails with nail polish on. I have funky shaped nails and their shape makes filing hard. To remedy this problem, I'll file with my nail polish on because it acts as a guide.

6) Buffing - I own several buffers. I didn't know that there is a correct way to buff nor did I know that it's possible to over buff. So, I have decided to put away the buffers and use the buffer to when i need to.

7) Do not cut or file nails after they are wet. I know they are soft, but they are weak. This makes them prone to breakage.

8) The difference between non-acetone and acetone removers. - Acetone is drying, but it a lot better to use to take off nail polishes. It's best to use on dark colors or glitters. Non-acetone removers are not as drying, but make it harder to remove polish.

9) Vinegar - A much gentler alternative to alcohol. It is used to remove the extra oils from the nail bed prior to laying down the basecoat.

10) It's better to apply layers in a thinly, rather than thickly. This helps to prevent bubbling and polish will dry faster.

I think thats all for now. I'll probably add more later.

Ewww.

I am guilty of using testers at cosmetics counters. I really want to know if that lip color or lip gloss looks good on me, but now I don't think I want to be doing this anymore.

Here's what I read in Women's Health Magazine

"Before you try that lip gloss at the makeup counter, consider this: One researcher found high levels of bacteria including E. coli, from fecal mater (Yes, you read right!) in samples of lipstick, eye shadow, blush, and cream taken from several different cosmetics counters. If you're getting an in-store makeover, ask for the products to be sanitized--and never put anything near your eyes, nose or mouth that hasn't been."

EWWWW.
Source: Women's Health Magazine, September 2008, p.92

Happy Labor Day!

I don't believe in not wearing white after Labor Day. Why? Because it's stupid.

Anyways who's watching the Nadal vs. Querrey match? It's pretty good!

Right now I am craving some Zoya nail polishes. I found some in a salon, but I didn't really care for them. Next time I shall go and check them out.

I need more nail polish colors. I've been wearing OPI Bubble Bath for quite awhile.

Guess what's for lunch? Popcorn! haha. Unhealthy, I know, but I feel like popcorn. hehe.

My New Love - Nails!

I have seriously given up on wearing makeup. I am at the point where I am ready to sell it and start all over. haha. And I really think my MSFs (Natural in Med Dark, Warmed and Light Flush) are breaking me out. GRRR. That means I have $75 collecting dust. Blah. I should sell it.

Since the latter half of July, I have been learning and reading about nail care on the MUA Nailboard. I am still not a fan of they way the MUA boards work, but I sucked it up and used it. I have learned so much about how to care for my nails, what products to use and what tools are necessary. I do not have a lot of products (yet), but I have found a few things that I really like.

First, I love Creative Nail Design Solar Oil. It's a cuticle oil that you place on your nails and rub it in. It smells like almonds and it's easy to use. However, this little guy is expensive! I've seen a 1/4 oz bottle sell between $7-$10. When I am feeling cheap, I will use my jojoba oil since it is listed as one of the ingredients.

Second, I love my glass nail file from Sephora. Ever since I purchased it, I haven't used a nail clipper. I use it to shape my nails and to maintain its length.

That's what I love right now. I am pretty sure I'll find something else to add, but that is all for now.