Sally Hansen complete salon manicure review

I spotted a newly large stand of Sally Hansen nail polishes in Boots recently and was taken in by the gorgeous range of colours. I decided to get a freebie with my advantage card points and give one a try. I went for the barbie-esq pink "Aflorable" in the complete salon manicure range.

The range sounds amazing, with the Sally Hansen website boasting the following 7 benefits in one bottle:

"Featuring a base coat, growth treatment, runway-inspired color, top coat, gel-shine finish, chip-resistance, and a strengthener with keratin complex for up to 64% stronger nails, this all-in-one formula delivers up to 10 days of chip-resistant wear. It’s everything you need to achieve a professional nail look at home!"

When I first applied it I was a bit dubious about what kind of results I would get. Although the brush was a great size and shape the polish didn't seem to apply very evenly. However, it seemed to even out when drying and by the time the third coat was dry they were shiny and opaque. (Two coats didn't quite leave this colour looking opaque.)

Now 5 days along the line, they are pretty much chip free apart from my fore finger and thumb on my dominant hand. Staying chip free for this long is pretty much unheard of for me, so I am really impressed. I've even done my toes to match (although it has rained non-stop since, so I haven't been able to wear sandals and show them off).

I can see more colours from this range finding their way into my collection soon. What colours would you recommend?

 

Week 33 manicure challenge

I nearly missed this week, but OCD wouldn't let me. In truth, my holiday acrylic manicure is still going strong, all-be-it slightly grown out. So for one week only I am showing you my pedi instead. 

So I have bright pink with a black pattern stamped on my big toe.

Gel "Gellux" Manicure

Gel manicures have been getting more and more popular over the past year or so. Rather than the acrylic extensions that I usually go for when I have special occasions to attend, I decided to give these a go for my holiday to the Algarve.

Absolutely loved the finish on them. They are nice and thick so protect your nails from breaking and don't chip. Well mine did chip a little, but the manicurist did warn me this would happen if I was in and out of the pool a lot. I suppose them getting wet so often is not going to help them last.

One did fall off during the week long holiday, but luckily I selected a colour of which I have a similar nail varnish so I was able to get away with painting it. (You wouldn't notice unless you looked up close.) Again, I believe it fell off due to my endless use of the swimming pool. But that's what holidays are for after all!

Overall, I'd definitely recommend a gel manicure and I will be having one again.

Triangle nails

Ease: ★★★★★
Effectiveness: ★★★★★


This is my last post in August. Since I started this blog a short while ago, I've clocked up just over 400 views. Thanks to everyone who has read and commented on my posts.

Anyway, back to business...


I saw this style of manicure on the Cute.A.S.Nails blog recently and decided it was something that a person of my novice nail skills could do.

I used my Rimmel nail varnish that I've mentioned before in previous blogs. I started off with a couple of coats of the marshmallow heaven, then used the matte finish top coat. Once it was fully dry I taped the points on the nails and used a thick coat of pear drop to create the triangles.

This is the finished result!