NCLA Nail Wraps in It Don't Matter (& a brief tutorial)

Press Samples

I was contacted by NailPolishCanada.com to test and review NCLA Nail Wraps. I was so excited to try out another brand of nail wraps/polish strips. Everyone is pressed for time in this day and age and NCLA Nail Wraps are a saving grace. When you want to have killer nail art but either don't have the time or skill to execute it, NCLA Nail Wraps come to the rescue.

Here is a brief tutorial on how to apply the NCLA Nail Wraps:
Each kit comes with 2 sheets of 22 wraps (good for 3-4 applications), a NCLA nail file, easy-to-follow directions. 

This kit is called It Don't Matter and features a variety of black and white geometric designs. The images below match the instructions described below.

1. Apply a base coat to clean nails.
2. Choose the size and design that you would like to wear. Peel the chosen strip off of the backing.
3. Line the curved side up with your cuticle. Stretch the strip and smooth out the bubbles.
4. File off the excess in a downward motion using the included file.
5. Apply a top coat to seal and protect your nail wrap.

The result...

The Verdict:
These are a time saver. They are quite durable. These are beautiful without the painstaking work of creating these designs as nail art. NCLA Nail Wraps can be worn as a full manicure or as accent nails. The wraps come in a variety of sizes. I have VERY small fingers so it made it somewhat difficult to wear this as a full mani. I don't know if there are strips small enough for my pinkies. That being said, these can be cut so they can be the appropriate size.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone and everyone. Go pick some out today!

There are 29 different designs to choose from on NailPolishCanada.com and they retail for $16.00 for one set.

Polishes used: Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein (base coat), Barielle Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender (top coat), essie Barefoot in Blue

Beautiful (& Barefoot) in Blue

So I was trying to change it up and wear a color I neglect often, even though I love it...BLUE.

I reached for essie's Barefoot in Blue and painted my nails.  I love this color, it's SO pretty! I wore it for a few hours, but then decided to go all crazy and add glitter for an accent nail;)

I loved the result.  So classy and pretty even with the crazy multi-sized holographic glitter pieces.  The above pictures show 2 coats of essie Barefoot in Blue topped with one coat of Barielle Starchild on the ring finger.

What's your favorite way to spice up a manicure?

*FYI* Barielle is on sale today at HauteLook! (8th item down 1st column) Individual nail polishes are $4/ea and polish sets (w/ 5 polishes) are $12.50! Get 'em while they're available!!!!

Summer Fun Challenge--Days 1 & 2

Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog is so incredibly creative.  I love her blog so very much and about 3 weeks ago she announced a fun summer challenge.

I was immediately thrilled to participate and I actually went to work right away trying to create manicures for the 8 themes.  Unfortunately I lost my camera's USB cord so I could not upload, which meant I couldn't pre-plan the posts despite the preparation I put in:-\  Anyway...I found my camera's USB cord on Sunday.  Therefore I am a little late to the party, but I will continue to add 2 posts per week that follow the themes.  

Here's a little catching up...

Day 1: GRILL MASTER

 I took this literally.  I was not crazy about putting meat or veggies on my nails, it kind of weirded me out. I decided to create a grill on my fingernails.  I really loved this.  I used a base of Sinful Colors Black on Black then I carefully sponged Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby and Dr. Remedy Tranquil Tangerine to create flames.  This glowed, a lot!  For the grate I used Barielle Granite Glitter and a nail art brush.

Because I was too late to the party & unable to add my link, check out the other Grill Master inspired nails here or here:


Day 2: Summer Lovin'

All I could think of is Grease.  I was stuck & without ideas.  So I recalled one of my favorite summers, the summer my husband proposed.  We were at the beach (but I really didn't want to do beach nails) and there were beautiful clear skies all week.  My father-in-law was really sweet to take pictures of the whole thing from a distance (so I wouldn't know it was happening, so I wouldn't get frazzled, etc.).  So this was my inspiration.  I used Essie Barefoot in Blue for the background then I sponged Zoya Purity to make clouds (and a heart-shaped cloud too!).  The rest of the details (including polaroid style pictures & silhouettes) were created using Zoya Purity, Sinful Colors Black on Black, and  Barielle Granite Glitter.  I'm not thrilled about how this turned out, but my other attempt at a Summer Lovin' manicure was worse.

Check out the other Summer Lovin' manicures here or below.

I've Got the Blues--Revlon Whimsical

Hello loves!  This week I will be featuring polishes that are my favorite color: BLUE!  Strangely enough, although blue is my favorite color, finding a blue polish I like is a bit of a problem.  Many of you are aware of my cool pale skintone which can morph a blue at times.  And to complicate things, my lovely plethora of freckles are warm toned.  Basically, I'm a picky blue polish wearer.  This week I will share my favorite blue polishes with you:)

Blue #3...

Revlon Whimsical

**I know that everyone and their mother and sister and aunt's friend's first cousin's wife have posted on this polish.  It's one of my "blue" favorites though so you'll have to deal with it one more time;)**

This is a light blue jelly with light pink and light aqua hexagonal glitter suspended throughout.  There is also fine light pink and aqua glitter within this squishy blue base.  The above shot shows 3 layers of Revlon Whimsical on all nails.  And here she is layered over essie barefoot in blue (1 coat):

The Verdict:

This polish is fun and...well...whimsical;)  It's definitely best for layering.  It looks amazing layered over Zoya Kristen (but I forgot to take a picture!).  While I love this polish, I also do not believe that it deserves all of the crazy hype it got in the late winter.  Additionally, it was hard to get the glitter to apply evenly (see first shot).  But nonetheless, I love this concoction as it reminds me of birthday parties and cupcakes.  While this is not necessarily a must-have, it is fun and can be layered many ways.  

I've Got the Blues--essie barefoot in blue

Hello loves!  This week I will be featuring polishes that are my favorite color: BLUE!  Strangely enough, although blue is my favorite color, finding a blue polish I like is a bit of a problem.  Many of you are aware of my cool pale skintone which can morph a blue at times.  And to complicate things, my lovely plethora of freckles are warm toned.  Basically, I'm a picky blue polish wearer.  This week I will share my favorite blue polishes with you:)


Bluey #2 is...

essie barefoot in blue

This is such a pretty blue!  It's definitely a light blue that reminds me of clear, spring, sunny, blue skies.  This beauty is a limited edition polish that was given away by Toms and essie for Toms' One Day Without Shoes campaign.  On April 10, I went without shoes for the day and wore this beauty on by toes.  I also recently purchased my first pair of Toms.  Fun fact, Toms donates and distributes one pair of shoes for each one pair you buy every and any day.


The Verdict:
This pretty polish brightens any gloomy day.  I was very concerned about this polish at first.  My first coat was very thin and uneven.  It ended up settling itself and covering quite evenly, this is 2 coats.  The formulation and pigmentation was good and there was no staining.  I think everyone needs one beautiful blue like this one.  It makes me want to have a picnic!

Do you have a favorite sky blue shade?

Watercolor Manicure

I recently entered the spring nail art competition by beautystat.  I chose to do a watercolor manicure to showcase some beautiful polishes and this great technique.  Take a look at my entry and what I said on the site: 

"My watercolor manicure was inspired by pastels and light, airy spring and summer fabrics.  Watercolor nails look gorgeous against the spring trends and can be done in various hues of one color or in a variety of colors. I painted all of my nails with Lumos Instant Impact Bottom Coat topped with two coats of Sally Hansen in Pure White.  I applied Lumos High Speed Top Coat and waited for the polish to dry.  I chose a series of colors that I wanted to watercolor with.  My colors of choice were: PritiNYC in California Bluebell (a dark periwinkle), Essie in Barefoot in Blue (a light periwinkle), Diamond Cosmetics in Don’t Teal My Heart Away (a medium teal), Rimmel London in Sunset Orange (a bright, orange-y coral), and China Glaze in Champagne Bubbles (a warm, yellow gold). Starting with the first polish mentioned, I placed a few small drips of polish on a nail, one nail at a time.  With a nail art (or small paint) brush that was dipped in nail polish remover, I smeared the polish around the nail.  I continued this process with each color on every nail.  When completed, I topped my nails with one last coat ofLumos High Speed Top Coat to set the polish."

I made it as a finalist and I am super surprised!  I would LOVE your support/votes.  It's super easy you just have to comment on this post. You're more than welcome to vote for someone else too:) 

Thank you so much! (Mine is the watercolor manicure by Kate).