Year Of The Tiger Nail Art

 

Hello AMW Friends!  Happy Year of the Water Tiger!!!

Ah, as much as I’d like to draw a cute Tiger on my nails like I used to a decade ago!  I’ve decided to make it simpler and …ahem…more age appropriate!  

How do you like this?

My nails aren’t perfect, I haven’t gotten a chance to really buff and clean my nail cuticles —- COOKERIST here LOL!  So without further excuse, here’s a better look.  

Products used —-

• Base Coat: ZOYA Anchor Base Coat
• Girlstuff Away from It All - Light Yellow base shade
• Girlstuff Fairy Dust - Glitter
• 2-way Art Pen in Orange
• 2-Way Art Pen in Black
• Barry M Basecoat Topcoat Nail Hardener

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Keep smilin' 

Stay happy!

New Zoya Professional Lacquer Shades I'm Loving!

My nails are back!  Well, not really!  I haven't been posting much about nail polishes ever since I had a baby is because for the fact that I'm making sure whatever I put on my fingernails are safe not only for myself but for my kid!  

There are only a few safe brands of polishes left that I really wear on a daily basis, you all know my love for GirlStuff, Solique and now I'm sharing to you my next safe polish brand fave --- ZOYA.

If you are expecting or breastfeeding, this is a polish brand I also highly recommend.  Zoya Nail polishs are free from Big 5 (Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene and Camphor.)

And just in case you want to know my current favorite shades for the season...here you go...

L-R Hunter, MIA and Dream

Let's start with my top most favorite shade out of the 3.

Readers' Corner: Making Nail Polish Last For At Least A Week!

I've had nail polish on toes and fingers for as long as I remember!  I think I started experimenting when I was graduating from high school and since it was okay to wear polish in college, that's when I experimented on different colors!  

And to answer your question, I had trouble applying polish on my right hand as my left hand tends to be wobbly!  I even had to save up on French Tip stickers just because I can't draw a straight line!  If I may repeat myself: "Yes, Practice makes almost perfect." 

When friends see my nails, the first thing they would tell me is how they love to put on polish but it never lasted on them!  The maximum I heard was 3 days and no one believed me when I told them mine can last a week or more!  And mind you, I'm not the li'l princess you think I am, I wash dishes and do household chores! 

So today's feature on Readers' Corner, I'm creating a quick, simple tutorial on how to make your polish last!  Not exactly a week but at least a bit longer!

Here are the 3 basic nail products you need ---

Base Coat, Top Coat and Fast Dry 

If you're on a budget, it's just base coat and top coat!  That's enough!

L-R The Face Shop Top Coat, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 and Zoya Anchor Basecoat

Some important things to remember:

• Do not wash your hands 10 minutes before you apply polish.  Why?  The water from your nails will evaporate thus forming bubbles.
• Do not apply hand lotion, facial creams prior to nail polish application, the oils from those products may stick to your nails.
• Do not shake your polish hard, try to roll them between your hands.
• Apply polish in a cool, dry place.  
• Never apply polish in front of a fan.
• Apply with a thin coat first and wait for the first layer to dry before you apply the second coat.
• Once the consistency of your polish is dry and thick, throw them out instead of trying to save them from death!  *laughs*

Step 1:

You can wipe your nails with a clean cloth making sure they're dry and clean.  Apply a coat of your choice of base coat.

Do not forget to "wrap" even the edge of your nails!

This is called the wrapping technique.

Step 2:

Pick a polish of choice.  Once the base coat is dry, apply a thin layer of your preferred polish starting from the center working left and right.

Again, wrapping technique should also be done!

Continue step 2 once the first coat is dry.

Step 3:

Once your preferred polish shade is completely dry, apply a coat of your favorite top coat.  I've been a loyal user of The Face Shop top coat.  So far this works for me! 

Step 4:

Once top coat is dry, this step is optional, I picked my Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat and apply it all over the nails!  After several usage, I agree that it is indeed the best quick drying top coat to date!

 If done all the steps properly and with loads of practice, you may enjoy your lovely polish for a week or even 2!  

 If you managed to try these steps, feel free to comment and let me know how it went! :)

Any other Long lasting nail polish tips?

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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Aztec Print Inspired

I got inspired by the clothing piece I saw during the Roxy Let the Sea Set You Free event last week!  Both Earth and I were in love with the Aztec print top which, unfortunately, doesn't not have our sizes anymore!  

If I can't wear it, I'll draw it instead!  Not on my body you silly!  *winks*  It was my nail art inspiration for the week!  Hope you like it!

Relax!  It's not as difficult as it looks!  It's actually one of the easiest nail art to do since you don't need to do a lot of strokes but lines and dots!  The only hassle would probably be the changing of nail polish shades!

Nail Art Tutorial: DC Superheroes

Hi! Happy Saturday!!!  I finally found the time to fix my Nail Art Tutorial Photos!  Since my last "The Avengers" Nails, Mr. AMW requested I continue the Superhero-inspired nail art!  As we looked at our tiny collection, I saw a very cute mug that I bought for Mr. AMW from a Bazaar at the World Trade Center. 

DC Superheros in Chibi form :)

As I applied a good base coat to protect my nails (from Zoya), I looked for a nice color for the faces of the characters, since I can't find one, I've decided to mix GirlStuff Nail Polish in Machiatto and Caronia Regular Polish in White Satin.

AMW Reviews: ZOYA Color Lock

Good day everyone!  Today, I will be posting Nail Product Reviews, I haven't done that for quite some time as I've been using the same nail care system for the past months!  I'm glad I took the big leap and embraced change!  As I find there are so many wonderful products out there worth to try!  

It was a first for me to try ZOYA Mini Color Lock System. 

ZOYA Mini Colorlock says ---

The wearability of ZOYA Nail Polish works better with the Colorlock System. It stays on longer and keeps lustre of polish for at least 5 days. This is safe to use by pregnant and lactating women as well (nontoxic, noncarcinogenic)  

Each kit contains:

• ZOYA Anchor (Basecoat)
• ZOYA Armor (Topcoat)
• ZOYA Hurry Up Drops
• ZOYA Remove+

AMW says ---

ZOYA Remove+

Pros

• A little goes a long way.
• Can remove stubborn glitters.
• Does not leave a white film on nails.
• The scent is not strong.  
• Awarded by Allure magazine as best nail polish remover!

Cons

• None!  Probably, the price?
  

ZOYA Anchor

Adheres Nail Color

Pros

• Dries up easily once applied on fingers.
• Brush is easy to use.
• One coat is enough to protect the nails from further yellowing.
• Nail polish stays longer together with the Zoya Armor (top coat).
• No chipping.
• Safe to use for pregnant and lactating woman due to its non-toxic, non-carcinogenic factors.

Cons

• Other people may find this pricey but I think the full size price of this is worth every single penny!

ZOYA Armor

Protects Nail Color

Pros

• Brush is consistently good!
• Nail polish looks new even after a week with this top coat.
• No chipping after 7 days!  (Dish washing, cooking, typing, etc.. all included to test)
• Safe for pregnant and lactating moms.

Cons

• Same, price!  But again, worth every penny!

 ZOYA Hurry Up Drops

dries polish fast and ends bubbling

Pros

• Does help speed up drying time.
• The dropper is a brilliant idea as helps even distribution.
• One tiny drop is enough for one nail.
• One tiny bottle lasts!

Cons

• Not comfortable with the oily feel of my fingertips especially if I plan to type after nail polish application.  It gets transferred to my keyboard.

The Mini ZOYA Color Lock System

Php1,000 (approx $23.25)

Available locally at: Organic Rituals Spa 

(feel free to add them up on Facebook)

Overall, the Mini set is great to test if the product is worth purchasing or not!  I like the fact that these are all safe enough for pregnant women to use!  That's a great news for nail polish lovers like myself!  I can't imagine myself not applying polish for 9 whole months (if I get pregnant).

I am very impressed with how my nail art lasts for more than 1 week and it looks as good as new!  My nails do get a bit yellow but not as much as regular base and top coat!  I can dramatically see a huge difference of this from the other brands!

A picture of my Hello Kitty inspired nails after 2 full weeks!  Nails have grown and my nail art is still intact!

I can't attest the effectiveness of the Hurry Up Drops in terms of the "bubbling" as I don't usually have problems with my nail polish bubbling up!  A couple of nail polish lovers out there did voice out their problems on nail polish bubbling!  Aside from not shaking the bottle vigorously, instead, rub the polish between your palms.  Never apply polish in front of a fan, these tiny reminders may help!

Will definitely re-purchase these 2 items once I finish up my mini version ---

• ZOYA Anchor- Php455.00 (approx $10.60)
  
• ZOYA Armor- Php455.00 (approx $10.60)

I have so many base coats and top coats to finish from all my "hoarding", but this brand impressed me and definitely tops my "next to haul" list.

Have you tried ZOYA?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy! 

(Note from Author: Product provided for PR consideration.  The author is not paid to write this post. All information written are based solely on author's personal experiences.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)