Since this week's challenge theme is bows, I also randomly threw a bow on my accent nails in rhinestones, just because I can. ^_^ Didn't it come out pretty?
So I started with my normal 2 coats of Haken Nail Magic for a base coat. I have really thin, flexible, and most annoyingly, prone to peeling nails. I tried Sally Hansen's Miracle Cure for a few months (one full bottle, basically) but it really didn't seem to be helping much. I bought a Nail Life basecoat for thin and peeling nails at Sally Beauty, but after just a month I could already tell that it was helping less than the Sally Hansen had, because I had a rapid increase in the amount of peeling I was dealing with. So the next time I had money for supplies, I picked up Haken Nail Magic. It's only been a few weeks, but I already know it's working better than the Nail Life was. I'll give it another month or so before I pronounce it to be working better than the Sally Hansen, but so far I haven't had any new peeling spots, and I haven't had any breaks since I started using it. That's not necessarily the base coat working, though - my nails go through cycles of growing out, and then several of them breaking in a very short period of time. It might just be growth time. I will keep you updated! :)
After the basecoat, I applied a single coat of a polish that has been in my stash for years and years. I'm not sure it "perle" is the color of the polish or the style (like "shimmer" or "creme") but the brand is Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant. I then brushed an off-center curving line with China Glaze Liquid Leather (except I painted the entire nail of my ring fingers) and filled in the larger side of my nail with it, and wrapped the end of the nails with the black all the way across. After a second coat of liquid leather, I used a dotting tool to add dots to the perle sections. I added a coat of NYC Matte Me Crazy to all of my nails except the ring fingers, then added Seche Vite to that one and applied rhinestones in a bow pattern. I've decided I like having a matte top coat. It gives that smooth silky finish to the nails without the excessive chipping of an actual matte polish. ^_^
When I get home I'll have to see what base coat I use because I've had thin bendy nails since I stopped getting acrylic nails ... and that's been nearly 10 years. This stuff is awesome and while I hope the one you're using is working for you, it's nice to have a back up too.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you pick up the NYC Matte Me Crazy? I've been trying to keep an eye out and plan on hitting up Wal-mart soon since I heard they carry Essie's matte top coat.
Love that design you did, it's very awesome. :)
I got NYC Matte Me Crazy at Walmart, right in there with all the other $2 polishes from that brand. ^_^ I look forward to hearing what you've been using for base coat! :)
DeleteI finally found the NYC! It was moved from where it belonged and after so much looking ... I grabbed both of the bottles I could find. LOL
DeleteThe base coat I've been using is one I found at Kroger. It's called No more Wraps nail laminate ultra bonder. There's also a phone number on it but I don't know how help that is. 1-800-25-RAVID. I've been in love with it since I found it. :)
These are really fun :D
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