Nail Care - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

No3 Berry Face Oil Review

Can I use face oil if I have combination skin? Of course you can, simply avoid pore-clogging oils and use only the ones intended to moisturize your face. L.A. Christine's No3 Berry Face Oil is comprised of Lingonberry, raspberry and acai berry, yet smells of an herbally sweet concoction. High Read more

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 Read more

Verb Detangle+Defrizz Conditioning Leave-In Mist Review

To be completely up front about things, I hate washing my hair because it's a nightmare to comb afterwards.  It’s much like that of a 6 year old little girl. It tangles like nobody’s business and is a nightmare to comb after washing. It’s so bad that my hairdresser Read more

Delfin Spa Cellulite Reduction Apparel and Anti-Cellulite Lotion Review

Everyone deals with cellulite. And no one is a fan of it. We've written about coffee ground products like Gail's DIY Coffee Scrub or isola Jamaican Coffee & Sugar Scrub, that are said to help minimize the appearance of cellulite due to the caffeine. Now there is another product system Read more

Mom: Get Glamorous Twitter Party

This year we're mixing things up with our Mom: Get Glamorous contest! We're adding a Twitter party, where some of the great brands participating in the contest are also giving away products during our party. Come join us on May 15, 2013 from 1pm-2pm EST and tweet with @TheMakeupGirl @ClumpsofMascara Read more

Nail Care

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?

Tom-Cruise

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 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a 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 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

ncLA Nail Wraps Review

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 by AmandaOnAir in beauty, Nail Polish 1 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 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 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 by Hillary Fry in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

Impala Nail Polish Palmeira Tropical 701 Review

Working as a nail tech for several years, I have worked with many  brands of nail polishes. With that being said, I know how tricky it can be  sometimes to apply lighter shades of polish because of streaking or even just having a difficult time applying the color evenly. Sometimes that could be the brand of the nail polish or just the shade that you happen to be using. However working with Impala’s Palmeira Tropical nail color 701 (a beautiful shade of teal) which happens to be a lighter shade and not to mention great spring time color for your a mani or pedi, painted on fabulously.

This stunning  shade never streaked nor did I have to apply several coats just to even out the color. I achieved evenly colorful painted nails by just applying 2 coats. Impala claims that the polish is fast drying and they were right! Read more

Posted on by Ashley Smith in beauty, Nail Polish Leave a comment

Two Josie Maran Must Haves for Holiday Travel

I will do anything that I can to lessen the negative effects of traveling during the holidays on my skin and nails.  During this time of the year I go from a hot humid climate, to one that is frigid, icy cold  and dry and everything in between.  It’s no wonder I can often be seen sporting  dry, jagged cuticles and clogged pores during this time of year. Well I’ve found two  from Josie Maran Cosmetics that are sure to lessen…and hopefully eradicate my skin and nail woes.

The Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes contain a blend of aloe vera, chamomile, argan oil, cucumber and Vitamin E and are fragrance free, paraben free and petrochemicals free.  These amazing makeup removing wipes are even gentle enough to use on your eyes.  They did a great job of removing my makeup…even my mascara and I love how refreshing they feel and smell.  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, makeup remover, skin care, Travel Beauty Leave a comment

Nail Art Tutorial: Black Matte French Manicure

I’m always looking for new nail trends to try and one that I spotted recently that really caught my attention were Black Matte French Tips. Julianne Hough and Kelly Osborn recently rocked this look at the Emmy’s in September.

And really, it makes sense. A French Manicure is always classy and black nails are a hot trend for Fall, so why not put them together for a chic Fall look? We love it!

There are two easy ways to create this look.

If you can get your hands on NEW Layla Ceramic Softouch in ‘Noir Touch’ and Layla Ceramic Effect Nail Polish in ‘Black Star’ you can create this look in just 3 easy steps.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Beauty Trends, Nail Polish 1 Comment

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Review

Most nail polishes, if left to their own devices without a base or top coat, will basically chip in under 24 hours. So when COVERGIRL sent me a challenge to try their Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss ($5.49), claiming that without a top coat, this polish wouldn’t chip for up to 7 days, I was skeptical.

Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Nail Polish 4 Comments