essence Studio Nails

Please enjoy the following press release from Essence.


essence “STUDIO nails – better than gel nails”


Beautifully manicured nails? Without a visit to a nail salon? Easy to do at home? From now on, this is no longer just a dream! Because essence is setting new standards with its innovative range “STUDIO nails – better than gel nails”!


As a preview to the new professional range, which will be available in the standard assortment as of spring 2011, essence is already giving you the chance to test the nail salon for your home in February and March 2011. The 6-piece starter kit includes everything you need to achieve a perfect nail style – but even “better than gel nails”. Thanks to the gentle application and simple removal, your nail style is sure to be a success in a manner of moments and can be easily removed at any time – without damaging your natural nails and without the need for an UV-lamp. Simply open up the packaging and get started!




Five easy steps and less than 15 minutes to achieve a perfect studio nail look:


Step 1
It’s important to clean your nails with the essence studio nails – better than gel nails nail file before application. This will remove excess oil and dirt to ensure particularly long-lasting results. The file is available for around 1.99 €*.


Step 2
Next, select a suitable tip-size and stick it onto the tip
of your natural nails using the especially fast-drying
glue included in the set.
Nail tips around 2.99 €*.
Nail tip glue around 1.99 €*


Step 3
When the artificial tip has dried a bit, remove the little tip-handle
by moving it up and down gently. Then file the nails into the
desired shape.


Step 4

Now it’s time to use the base coat: simply apply the transparent base coat on the prepped nails. This ensures that the artificial tips and the subsequent styling have an optimal, long-lasting effect. The base coat is available for around 2.49 €*.




Step 5
And the final step is – your finish! There is a special, glossy top coat
to give your gel-nail look the perfect finishing touches and to seal
it so that it lasts longer. For an especially gorgeous look, apply two
coats. So head for your polish and you’re done!
Top coat around 2.49 €*.
Nail tip remover around 2.49 €*.




The limited starter kit for the essence "STUDIO nails – better than gel nails" range will be available in stores in February and March 2011. Around 9.99 €*.


PLEASE NOTE: As of March 2011, the products from the new essence "STUDIO nails – better than gel nails" range will also be available individually in the standard product assortment!

Blogs of Note

So after realizing that a lot of my blogging buddies had abandoned their blogs for one reason or another, I decided to go through and ax them from my Google Reader.  I feel bad, but at the same time, when someone hasn't updated since August 2009, they just aren't relevant anymore...  They may have good archived posts but as for new collections, colors, finishes - they are way in the back field for me.


That being said, here are 3 more today.


Manicure Mommas has short nails but a lot of good postings.  She also has a spreadsheet where she's listed all her polishes and the posts to each one which I find to be incredibly helpful.  I don't know if she got the idea from me or if we're both geniuses (totally possible) but either way, it makes for some great nail research!


Milan and Vanaily are sisters blogging under one roof ( I think?).  They have some very nice long nails and are pretty awesome, if you ask me.  I love reading their blog for the both the pictures and the commentary.


Last today is My little world of polish by Lily Nail.  She has short nails but does post a good selection.  I do wish her pictures were a little more macro instead of at arm's length but at least you can see the polish clearly.

.rawr.

I have super long nails (for me) right now.  I've broken 3 nails on my non-swatching hand, but have kept the long left hand so I can show you all the pretties in my box.  I've been out all week long and finally yesterday I had a day off AND sun, but I decided I just had to clean my house (it's quite big and all tile floors that need to be vacuumed and mopped sorely).  This morning I woke up to a clean house AND RAIN.


Seriously?!


Tomorrow I'm supposed to have SOME sun, and even better - lots of sun on Tuesday so hopefully I'll get to pump out some more posts soon.  Sorry friends!

Nicole by OPI Count On Me

Moving on to the Nicole ♥ Walmart collection, Count on Me is a glimmering lavender with tons of blue and purple microglitter in a milky purple base.  Seriously, go buy this.  Now.  I mean it.


At first, I tried to use this as a color on its own.  I used a base of OPI Natural Nail, and tried 2 coats of Count on Me, but it just really wasn't taking, so I pulled out my CND Blackjack for 1 coat, and then put 2 coats of Count on Me, topping with OPI Top Coat.  Best decision ever.


Now in the direct sun, you can see on my bare nail, that this is mostly an electric blue/light purple microglitter/shimmer on the nail, but over black it just looks blue.  In the light...


Can you see that purple on the edges?  All pictures are clickable to see larger... here's a couple more.



!!!


For fun, I took a couple of pictures indoors too (I use 6500K "natural" lights).
Seriously, I'm in love.  I ended up using Count on Me over CND Blackjack for a NOTD (to be posted), and did this manicure on two of my friends' nails (Crystal & Brittany - hey!).  Love love LOVE it.  All the purple and blues jumping out.  It's amazing.


For fun, I also tried it over OMB...  sun:


And shade:
The shimmer isn't nearly as pretty over this red...  I also tried it over The One That Got Away.


So seriously, go find this, ask your friends, just FIND THIS COLOR.  You won't regret it.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their websitefollow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI It Starts With Me

Finishing off the Liquid Metals collection was It Starts With Me which was listed as a metallic champagne that channels your inner shine.  I thought this was more of a rose gold originally, so I was super excited but it's more of a bronze color to my eyes.


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of It Starts With Me and a top of OPI Top Coat.  The formula, as with the other metallics in this collection was good, with a bit of balding.


Seriously, this doesn't look good in the sun, but I think it's mostly my skin tone.


It looks much better in the shade, but it's still just not the best color for me.  Not my total cup of tea here.


Nicole by OPI is available beginning at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their websitefollow Nicole by OPI on Twitter or become a Facebook fan.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.