Calgel again. by orange

So I went back to en-Salon for a Calgel refresh.  I tried the American version of Calgel - Shellac the week prior, but it didn't work out as well (started chipping in less than a week) and had a lot less colors to choose from.

 

This time I did things a bit different.  Instead of getting the normal bright polish, I decided to try the "reverse french."  Check out the pictures below.  The nail technician assured me "it's huge in Japan."  :)

I'm excited because with the reverse french, the nail grow out will be much less noticeable, thus the Calgel might really last a full 3 weeks.  We shall see...

Maybe I'll do this next time...not sure what it's called...reverse french fade-out?  :)

orange in Puma 'Imani' Slip-On Sneaker

Calgel. by orange

I love me a manicure.  What I don't like is how short manicures last.  For me, if I'm a lucky - really lucky, my manicure will last 5 days.  Well recently I tried Calgel nails.  Supposedly the nail polish lasts 3 weeks and doesn't ruin your real nails.  It's basically nail polish in a gel form.  It's painted on (base layer, 2 coats of color and top coat) just like regular nail polish.  However, it dries amazingly quick - like 30 seconds quick.  So far I'm at 12 days and they are looking good - no chips, nothing.  I just wish my nails didn't grow so fast...

I made a follow up appointment for 23 days out to get my Calgel's fill...but I might just need to pop in this weekend.  I'll let you all know how the fill goes...we shall see. 

orange

weekend at the nail salon. by orange

This past weekend I decided to treat my feet and hands to a mani/pedi at the new salon down the street from me...huge hit!!

1) the salon is brand new, so it's clean inside and has wonderful massaging chairs

2) with the big grand opening everything was 20% off...my grand total: $28! for mani and pedi

3) found a new OPI color i'm very happy with..."bright lights, big color"

4) the ladies did an extremely thorough job - more so than even the pricer salons

perfect sunday. perfect mani/pedi.

What I love about "bright lights, big color" is the gold shimmer throughout the polish. When the sun hits the color, it just lights up! My pictures show this color as kind of a plain orange but it's a tinge more on the pink coral side of orange.

nail tricks. by orange

as everyone knows, both orange and violet love a good manicure. well for the last few weeks i have been trying DIY manicures. so far it's worked out...ok. however, i've learned some tricks along the way that i thought i'd share.

1) putting nail polish in the refridgerator makes the polish less goopy and more smooth.

2) when waiting for the polish to dry, do not blow on your fingers - it will create lots of little bubbles in the polish.

3) i find that using nail clippers on the hang nails, dry cuticles, etc works better than the nail nippers.

4) i like blue nail polish! (well especially OPI's Teal the Cows Come Home)

p.s. i've been inspired. by violet.

anyone who knows me is constantly telling me the reason i'm broke is cause i love my manicures. i will point all nay-sayers to mrs. orange's last post and say HA! $10 for an accessory all week long? i say i'm SAVING money.

honestly, i didn't need anymore encouragement to run out and have my nails done, but i took it from orange anyway. i went down to nails spa tan (another epic name) in lower Queen Anne and demanded my piece of the South Beach collection by OPI.


sigh. nothing rounds out a Sunday afternoon like a manicure.

sidenote: view the OPI rainbow in its entirety here and start coordinating your wardrobe.