Need for Speed: New Quick Drying Nail Polishes

Today’s modern polishes promise to dry faster than a speeding bullet, but which ones actually save the day?

Top manicurists have known about pro top coats for years – those specially formulated clear coats that left lacquer intact for an extended wear manicure. Compatible with nearly every brand, topcoats like INM and Seche Vite give shiny, rock hard results. Now, there are number of launches for those that like to do their nails at home and mimic a faster drying salon service. Each has a different strength. Let’s check a few of them out, shall we? Read more

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Featured in Spry Living Mom Makeover

Don’t forget to enter our Mom: Get Glamorous Contest (entries taken until May 24th!)
Join our Twitter Party on May 15th from 1pm-2pm EST #momglamorous

When Spry Living Magazine asked me if myself and two A Girl’s Gotta Spa! bloggers would be interested in making over our moms, we didn’t hesitate to say yes. Myself, Ashley and Hillary all participated in Spry Living’s Take Year’s Off Your Looks Instantly (web and print) story and Making Over Mom with tips.

Each of our moms had challenges that prevented them from updating their look. My mom had hair loss/thinning hair, sagging skin, etc. all related to bariatric surgery she had two years ago. Ashley’s mom has nerve damage and a disability when it comes to the use of her arm. Hillary’s mom was nervous since losing all of her hair so long ago (but it has since grown back.)

From skin care to hair care to makeup, here’s the breakdown of the products used to transformed our moms.

Paula (my mom): Read more

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, blush, bronzer, brows, concealer, DIY Beauty, eye shadow, eyeliner, foundation, highlighter, lip gloss, lipstick, Makeup, makeup tips, mascara, Nail Polish, Primer, salon, skin care 1 Comment

Urban Decay Naked Nail Polish Kit Swatches & Video

Urban Decay’s foray into nail polish starts with Naked, and features a mix of six shades (Naked, Sidecar, Toasted, Smog, Hustle, Creep) in a cream, shimmers and glitters. How do they match up to the palettes?

Video:

Swatches: Read more

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

China Glaze – Bold and Beautiful Avant Garden for Spring 2013

Hey beauties – I’ve been on a little hiatus, so apologies for these late reviews. Keep watch out for some of the hottest looks for spring right here at A Girl’s Gotta Spa!

This month China Glaze released a gorgeous 12 set of 6 creams and 6 shimmers. The colors are phenomenal and all work together great for nail art. Let me introduce you:

Dandy Lyin’ Around
Shimmer
We’re starting off with one of my favorite shades of the collection. This white is mixed with a pearl shimmer and gives a cool sheen under the milkiness of it all.

Mimosas Before Manis
Cream
Not a true neon, but it is muted while it manages to be bright. Really interesting. Read more

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish 1 Comment

ncLA Nail Wraps Review

I absolutely love the idea of nail wraps, (or stickers as some like to call them), but I haven’t had much success with them in the past. Determined to get it right this time around, I tried the new special edition ncLA nail wraps that were just released from Cult Beauty. ncLA collaborated with some top Hollywood nail artists and fashion designers to release some limited edition (and totally fierce) nail wraps. Forget nail art, these wraps are like murals for your fingers. I tried the special edition nail wraps designed by jewelry and accessory designer Melody Ehsani and they are Rihanna-level fierce. With nail art I usually play it safe, but I couldn’t resist the geometric black and white design. Read more

Posted on March 12, 2013 by AmandaOnAir in beauty, Nail Polish 1 Comment

Impala Nail Color Pipa and Maria Flor Review

Impala, the brand behind the leading polish and nail grooming tools in Brazil, is making its much anticipated entrance into the U.S. market and is poised to become a beauty obsession among women here.

The reason for Impala’s success in the manicure market is three-fold:

Extensive research, which led to a polish that dries in just one minute
Specific measures the company took to create a product without the harmful ingredients found in many nail colors
The shades which range from classic reds and pinks to on-trend hues

The bottle is unusual because it is half the size of other brands and costs half the price ($4.99). I tried two cream shades; #645 Pipa, a lovely pale coral and #663 Maria Flor, a deep red coral. Pipa will look fabulous this spring and summer and flatters any skin tone. Maria Flor is a great shade of red–not too dark and not too bright, but very easy to wear. The polish applied beautifully with no streaking and nice coverage. I used two coats in these pictures but if I was in a hurry, I could have probably used just one the coverage is that good. The polish dried very quickly with no smudges (except for my own errors).

Pipa

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Cindy in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

Instagram Your Nail Art to Win Lancome Vernis In Love

There’s still time to get your entry in for Lancome’s contest to win a set of Vernis In Love. This beautiful collection of lacquers includes Rose Macaron and Peach Melodie that I’ve swatched. Sorry, the lighting gods weren’t with me on this round. I absolutely love these shades, and they are making me long for spring.

Work out your best nail art by the 14th and Instagram your entry with the hashtag #LancomeLovesNails for a chance to win Vernis In Love! Official Rules here

Rose Macaron
Read more

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

Shape-Shifters: Exploring Nail Shape Trend Possibilities

Usually when you head to the salon you know one thing for sure – you’re going to get into great shape. Nail shape, that is.

STILETTOS

There is something about a professional taking you by the hands and providing great care and cleanup without the need to be ambidextrous. Also, a fresh pair of eyes on your hands might lead you to see you could use a little refresher in areas like shape, color or product. Read more

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Beauty Trends, Nail Polish Leave a comment

Nicole by OPI Introduces Modern Family Nail Polish Collection

Modern Family has to be one of the best written TV series currently on air. The characters are hilarious and the situations they get in are equally as entertaining. I love that each episode has a lesson or some small heart-tugging moment among all the laughs. Nicole by OPI launched 14 new nail lacquers inspired by the award-winning comedy.

The nail line features shades ranging from more nude colors that would appeal to Julie Bowen’s no-nonsense Claire, to a sparkly violet shade meant to represent Gloria’s (Sofia Vergara) more flamboyant look.

“Modern Family is not only one of the funniest shows on television, it features a great ensemble cast of rich characters that inspired a range of shades, from pastel hues like sea foam green and periwinkle to brighter colors of cobalt and red-violet,” says Suzy Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “From studious Alex to bombshell Gloria, to classic (and neurotic) Claire, to flirty Haley, there are shades to represent each of these uniquely fabulous women – and everyone else in the blended family.”

The shade names are so cute and clever! Read more

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Cindy in beauty, Nail Polish 1 Comment

Love is Blind: Valentine’s Day Braille Nail Tutorial

Spring colors, glitter and a secret crystal love note – what more could a girl want?

Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, and it’s time to start making reservations, ordering flowers for delivery and getting that perfect outfit. What the what? Your paramour failed to do any of this for you last year? You know what they say – Love is blind. Or at least it needs to be. If you want a discreet reminder to keep your cool during any disappointments this holiday, try my Braille Nail. The tactile texture reads “I Love You” when felt up.

You’ll need: Read more

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

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