Essie Nail Polish in Penny Talk

Penny Talk is part of Essie's Mirror Metallic Collection for Summer 2012. I got it at Meijer in the US for $7.99. I haven't noticed it in Canadian stores, but it's available online from NailPolishCanada.

It definitely has a metallic finish and looks just like the colour of a new penny. It can also look rose gold in certain lighting.

It dries more quickly than regular nail polishes because of the metallic finish, so this is a great nail polish line for those who don't like long drying times.

This nail polish is available on Amazon:

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Nails of the Week: Pink and Gold

This is by no means a new or unique design, but I thought it would be fun to show you anyways.

I painted my nails on Wednesday and took these photos today (Friday). Here's what I used:


-Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener (as a base coat)
-Wet n Wild MegaLast Nail Color in 209C Candy-licious (base colour)
-Revlon Metallic Nail Enamel in 925 Gold Coin (for the dots)
-Beauty Secrets Top Coat Fast Finish Polish Dryer

I first applied the Sally Hansen Hardener as a base coat to keep my nails from going yellow (which can happen if you paint your nails often) and also to help strengthen my nails. Then I painted them two coats of the Candy-licious polish and let them dry completely.

I poured a small amount of Revlon Gold Coin onto a piece of cardstock (paper, cardboard, tissue, etc will work too as long as you're okay with throwing it out). Then I took the end of a thin brush and dipped it into Gold Coin. I used the end of the brush as a dotting tool (rather than going out and buying one, lol) and created dots all over my nails. I let it dry and then finished with the top coat.

It has chipped a tiny bit over the past two days, but in general it's holding up quite well. 

What other colour combinations do you think would look nice with this design? 

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Changing the Colour of Your Brush Handles

Glitter nail polish on brush handles

Most brush handles are black which looks sleek and uniform, but sometimes this can get boring. I was inspired by a video on YouTube about painting the tips of your brushes with nail polish, but I took it a step further and painted the entire handle.

I painted my Coastal Scents, E.L.F. and older brushes in case it didn't work out. I recommend trying this with your less expensive brushes in case you don't like how it turns out.

Before you begin, make sure you're either outside or in a very well-ventilated room (windows and doors open, etc).

All you have to do is cover the brush ferrule (metal piece between the bristles and the handle) with tape to protect it and take your chosen nail polish and cover the handle with a thin layer.

The brush ferrule with tape on it.

Wait until it dries and add another thin layer. Keep adding layers until you get the desired effect. I recommend working on one brush at a time and waiting until each layer has fully dried before you add another.

You can place the ferrule under a book on the edge of a table so that it can air dry on its own. It'll take about a day to fully dry so that you can use it without worrying about the polish smudging. Once it's dry, remove the tape and that's it!

This is also a great way of preserving some of your favourite nail polishes if they are limited edition or running out. This way, you always have some if it! I also use glitter nail polishes that are difficult to remove from nails. Instead of throwing them out, I use them to paint my brushes.

Here are the ones I've done:

Essie Luxeffects Shine of the Times

Wet n Wild Born Into Privilege

Orly Rage

L.A. Colors Star Light

L.A. Colors Sassy Sparkle

Revlon Gold Coin

Orly Ingenue

L.A. Colors Silver Glitter

Orly Winter Wonderland, L.A. Colors Sassy Sparkle

Wet n Wild Bow in My Presence

This is also a great alternative to buying brushes that have gems or rhinestones on them. Gems can easily fall off while nail polish will adhere to brush handles very well and won't come off with day to day use.

What are your favourite nail polishes? Have you ever painted your brush handles before?

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Top 10 Favourite Nail Polishes (2011)

The following are my current Top 10 Favourite Nail Polishes. 

*Please excuse my slightly blue-stained hands. A blue pen exploded on my hands minutes before I took these photos!

ONE COAT
Thumb: Rimmer's Lasting Finish Pro in Lava Red, Index finger: Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Purple Rain, Middle Finger: Rimmel's 60 Seconds in Grey Matter, Ring Finger: Essie's In Stitches, Pinky Finger: Orly's Rage

ONE COAT:
Thumb: Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey, Index Finger: Ultra Pro's Mossy Britches, Middle Finger: Unnamed L.A. Colors, Ring Finer: Twilight NOX in Wine & Dine, Pinky Finger: L'Oreal's Limited Edition Project Runway Nail Polish in Owl's Night

TWO COATS
Thumb: Rimmer's Lasting Finish Pro in Lava Red, Index finger: Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Purple Rain, Middle Finger: Rimmel's 60 Seconds in Grey Matter, Ring Finger: Essie's In Stitches, Pinky Finger: Orly's Rage

TWO COATS
Thumb: Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey, Index Finger: Ultra Pro's Mossy Britches, Middle Finger: Unnamed L.A. Colors, Ring Finer: Twilight NOX in Wine & Dine, Pinky Finger: L'Oreal's Limited Edition Project Runway Nail Polish in Owl's Night

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Lava Red
Though the bottle shows a lot of red sparkle, it is actually very subtle when you apply it and almost looks black.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Lava Red
The brush is large and wide and is great for a quick and easy application of nail colour. This nail polish will last up to 10 days without chipping if you use a top coat.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Purple Rain
This is a very dark, opaque purple colour and it looks black in certain lighting.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Purple Rain
The brush is large and wide and allows for a quick and easy application of colour. This nail polish will last up to 10 days without chipping if you use a top coat.

Rimmel's 60 Seconds in Grey Matter
This is an opaque grey colour. It is a very light and cool grey. It dries quickly, but only if you let it dry in between coats.

Essie's In Stitches
This is a pink-coral colour. The formulation is thick enough that you only need one coat to achieve an opaque and even colour, but two coats will make it last longer on your nails.

Essie's In Stitches

Orly's Rage
This is a light pink-taupe colour with a lot of shimmer. Applies very easily and  evenly.

Orly's Rage
This colour is similar to Twilight Nox's Wine & Dine.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey
This is a warm grey colour with hints of purple and pink.

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in Steel Grey
The brush is large and wide and allows for a quick and easy application. This nail polish will last up to 10 days without chipping if you use a top coat.

Ultra Pro's Mossy Britches
This is an olive green-gold colour. Two coats is necessary to get opaque coverage.

Ultra Pro's Mossy Britches
This nail polish is available at Sally Beauty Supply.

L.A. Colors
This nail polish doesn't have a name. It is a shimmery pink-purple colour. 2-3 coats is necessary to get opaque coverage.

Twilight Nox in Wine & Dine
This colour is similar to Orly's Rage. It is slightly more pink and is a thicker formulation.

Twilight Nox in Wine & Dine
This may be limited edition.

Twilight Nox in Wine & Dine

L'Oreal Paris Limited Edition Project Runway Nail Polish in Owl's Night
This is a limited edition colour. It is black with a lot of gold shimmer. Two coats is necessary to get opaque coverage.

L'Oreal Paris Limited Edition Project Runway Nail Polish in Owl's Night

All of these nail polishes (with the exception of the one from L.A. Colors) tend to last on my nails without chipping for at least 3 days. If I add a top coat, they last closer to a week with minimal chipping. 

All of these nail polishes are available at most drug stores, with the exception of the limited edition ones.