SensatioNAIL Gel Growth Formula

As I was cruising through Walmart, I came across SensatioNAIL gel growth formula in the clearance section. The box states that this formulation is specifically for "dull, short nails," and right now, that describes mine to a T. My normally long nails have been breaking and splitting terribly, so when I saw this I thought I would give it a go.

You receive one .25 fluid ounce bottle of growth formula and an orangewood stick. Application is very simple: wipe your nails down with alcohol to prep, paint on a coat, and stick your nails under an LED for 60 seconds. This formula seems to be a little less thick than other gels (although I am pretty new to the gel world), which I like.

Have you used this product before? I would love to hear other people's experience with it.

Hello Venique

As a beauty school student, I am now officially allowed to shop at cool places like Cosmo Prof.  On Saturday, I took my little student license and got my "card" from the Cosmo Prof store in Hagerstown, MD. The cashier was super friendly and nice. Once I got my paperwork out of the way, I felt like she had released me into a candy store of sorts -- I didn't know where to start! Everything at Cosmo Prof is basically wholesale-priced for cosmetology professionals, meaning everything is SO MUCH CHEAPER than your typical retail venue. I didn't go too crazy this time (as I was supposed to be Easter shopping), but I did come across a brand of polish that was new to me -- Venique. Have you heard of it? I decided to give it a try, and got a cute little bottle with no name on it of course.

I used 3 coats to achieve full coverage, but this could easily be used as a topper. I can only describe this as a rose-gold colored glitter, with larger pieces of glitters that are multi-colored. I love the look of glitter but hate the process of getting it off my nails, so I don't typically gravitate toward these type of polishes, but this one kept catching my eye. I actually liked this enough to wear it on its own for a few days, but I feel the urge to stamp coming on.
Have you tried Venique? What was your opinion? So far I think I will definitely be trying more of this brand -- another excuse to go back to Cosmo Prof :)

It's a Spring Thing

I found an artist on Instagram and Facebook called Muses Gel, out of Taiwan. Her style inspired today's Easter/Spring/Pastel mani.

 I used a crap-ton of different products to achieve this look (see the pic below!). Polishes are Zoya "Piaf" (yellow), Zoya "Rebel" (blue), Essie "Full Steam Ahead" (lilac), and Essie "Blanc" (white). I added a layer of Essie Luxe Effects "Pure Pearfection" to give the lilac color a little more of a shimmer - similar to the Zoyas.  Zoya "Cosmo" outlines the heart on the ring finger. I added some water decals from the Born Pretty Store, some gold heart nail spangles, goldtone metal confetti triangles from Bundle Monster, rhinestones and caviar beads. I used the same tutorial that I used for my Tweed Nails on the ring finger and thumb.

I just got a new light box, and while I still have a lot to learn about it, I really like it! I think it will take a little bit of playing around to find the perfect angle.

From the Pinterest Vault

Today's mani is from one of the many that I have stored in my Pinterest Nail Art stash.

 When I choose someone else's mani to recreate, I do a little research (beyond just looking at the pic) on the original artist so that I may give credit where it is due. I was pleasantly pleased with Miriam Elizabeth's work -- you can find her Facebook page here and Instagram  here -- you too can be inspired by her creativity! The original mani which serves as my inspiration can be seen

here. 

I used Essence "Breakthrough" as my base, and added the purple (OPI "Siberian Nights), blue (Zoya "Ling") and White (Funky Fingers "Gesso") by using the watercolor technique . As the final touch, I added some gold nail foil. This time, I decided to use the nail foil glue, like you are supposed to do. Usually I use my quick-dry top coat. Musta had the big girl panties on. Long story short, I do not care for the nail glue.

Bottom line, this is one of those manis that I keep staring at my own fingers. I love it. I will definitely be trying to recreate mroe of Miriam's work in the near future.  :)

This Sh*t is Bananas!

I was blessed to win a giveaway in which I received 3 small Indigo Bananas polishes of my choice, along with a cuticle balm. One of my three pics was Perfect Night - a purple jelly with blue flakies. This is flippin' gorgeous!!!! I have gotten more complements on this polish than any other I have worn. I added some rhinestones, pearls and caviar beads, and stamped a couple nails with plate BM502 from the Sunkissed Bundle Monster collection. I just love the blue and purple together. I apologize that my picture sucks (I am working on that, I swear!) - you can't tell how amazing this color is.