Nail Sticker-Polish Halloween Frankenstein Hybrid

I've reviewed Cailyn Printed Premium Nail Stickers before...and let's just say that these are less than stellar. I wanted to use this print that I had for Halloween, but couldn't stand how they stay on the nail. They're super rough and wrinkly, and lift up at the cuticle edge. I rectify the problems, I created my own Frankenstein monster. I buffed off the tips of the nail stickers where the wrinkles are the worst. I then added a blackish-green gradient over the nail stickers to cover up the bare tips. This helped GREATLY. I'm no longer snagging everything I touch. The cuticle edges are still a problem, but I guess I'll just have to deal with it.
[Post-mani note: these lasted two days before I couldn't stand the loose cuticle edges anymore. I really wish these nail stickers were better because they really are cute!]

Before:

After:

The gradient over the metallic print looks really interesting and have a nice contrast. Happy Halloween everyone!

The Walking Dead-inspired "Walker" (Zombie) Nails

The Walking Dead - AMC

Who's not obsessed with The Walking Dead nowadays? If you're going as a zombie for Halloween, you can't leave out the nails...after all, they are a Walker's #1 tool. This is a super quick way to make yourself look dead and rotting:

1. Start with a bare nail. Got yellow nails? Who cares?! You're a zombie!
2. Flood the cuticles with a blood-red polish.
3. Use polish remover to confine the red polish to the cuticle edge and give it a rough look. Getting as close to the red as you can without overlapping, add a coat of a sheer nude (preferably yellow based).
4. When it's dried, buff away to get rid of the shine without taking the color away.

Ornate Half-Moons

Gray & Purple Half-Moons

Gray: Barielle's U-Concrete-Me
Purple: Zoya's Petra

Hand-Drawn Henna Inspired

Done with a nail polish pen. This looks like some crazy, half-moon, thing, but I loved wearing it!

Swatch: China Glaze's Ruby Pumps

China Glaze's Ruby Pumps is a classy, functional glitter that still has some pizazz. I purchased it at a grocery store and the cashier took about 30 seconds to stop and admire the bottle. From far away, it looks like a regular red color, but up close you notice the glitter (small, evenly distributed pieces... nothing chunky here). Two coats is enough, and if you needed to you could get away with one. Need a color for the holidays? This is it!

Review: Cailyn Printed Premium Nail Stickers & Top Coat

While perusing my local TJ Maxx I noticed a stack of Cailyn Printed Premium Nail Stickers sets for $8. They come in packs of two with a top coat included. There were pretty traditional, yet pretty patterns... stripes, leopard, etc. but I chose a black and white fishnet and a black and silver skull and crossbones pattern.

They apply just like Incoco and Sally Hansen Salon Effects, but Cailyn encourages the use of a top coat. Mine lasted just over 24 hours after use with Seche top coat (which may account for the cuticle edges pulling up--I repaired this with nail glue). I had better luck with applying one to my big toes and using the Cailyn top coat on those, but then again, everything lasts much longer on my toes.

The main problem with these nail stickers is that the "stick" isn't strong enough. It's hard to stretch out and correct wrinkles because they don't stick where you place them so they creep right back into the wrinkle position. They're also really easy to peel up. I had a few mishaps where I bumped my nail on something and the corner peeled up and refused to stick back down. It's a shame because the designs that Cailyn makes are really cute and unique, but they're not worth that scratchy feeling of the sticker's wrinkles and loose edges, especially at full price ($10 for a single set).

Cons:

• Lasted just over 24 hours
• Not enough sizes (only 8) and only one curved end
• Not sticky enough
• Hard to get wrinkles out

Pros:

• Unique and off-beat designs
• Can be worn with top coat (and it's encouraged)
• Don't need to be air-tight---longer shelf life
• Use of metallics in designs
• Competitive Prices

Hand-Drawn Lace

The inspiration for this mani comes from the fabulous Illustrated Nail. I love this look because it's girly and pretty while simultaneously being a bit gothic and noir. This is done with a black nail art pen over a sheer nude.

The design for this is a little more difficult than the other designs I've posted on this blog. It requires a steady hand and the ability to improvise with painting errors.

Review: LUSH's Summer Pudding Soap

With my LUSH order I received two soap samples, one of them being Summer Pudding:

It mainly smells like cherries, but it has a twinge of foresty/pine smell. Luckily that bit o' forest fades away on the skin and only leaves the sweet smell. There was a decent amount of lather (I use a body brush) and no residue left on the skin.

This isn't some amazing, life-changing product, but I'd probably buy again since I love how it's Vegan-friendly and animal cruelty-free. It's a pleasant product!

Minx: Gold Lightning Cheetah

This Minx style is amazazing. It has extra "za" because it's that awesome.

I found it applied easier than the Yellow Chrome (but that may have just been me getting better at it). It also hid the imperfections easier as well due to having a pattern on it. Gold Lightning Cheetah is so shiny! It looks ethereal from a distance. People notice it straight away and I got a ton of compliments on it. Now you know why this Minx design earned that extra "za"!

It should be noted that this picture does it ZERO justice!