Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197 
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:34:27 GMT
I love it! I am impressed with all your polish, and it does look like Zoya is your favorite! Which nail polish blogs do you recommend? Also, what base and top coat do you use? Do you have any tips on getting your manicure to last a week? I would love to talk nails with you! I actually don't read any nail blogs. I have a Pinterest board for nails that I check for ideas, and every once in a while I just do a Pinterest search for new ones to pin. I also don't use a base coat. (Bad, I know!) Every once in a while I get a bit of staining, but since I am just painting over them it's not a huge deal. For a top coat, I have two quick-dry top coats that I use the most, but neither one is perfect. Seche Vite gives a gorgeous thick glossy coat, but it goes thick quick, and even with the product they sell to combat that (Seche Restore) it doesn't totally alleviate it. SV also gives a lot of shrinkage, and that drives me bonkers. HK Girl is an indie top coat by Glisten & Glow, and I've never had any issues with shrinkage with it. It dries just as quickly as SV, but isn't as glossy or thick of a top coat. Functionally, they both work well at keeping the mani protected, so it's just an appearance difference. I don't use a top coat when I do matte or Pixie Dust polish, and those still last quite well. If they do chip, you can touch them up and they blend right in. I think that one reason my manis last is that I have crazy dry skin, and therefore nail beds. I also live in Utah, which is notorious for its dry air, and that might have something to do with it, too. I do wipe off my nail beds with polish remover (I use Zoya Remove+) right before painting to remove any dust from filing my nails or any bits of oil, and that might help, too. I don't baby them or anything, but I also don't do much that's particularly hard on them. I do the dishes, but it's just rinsing and loading in the dishwasher and then hand washing a few pots, ya know? If I was hand washing everything I think that would take a toll. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:36:16 GMT
That's lovely! I have over 900, so this isn't really a feasible option for me. I have mine sorted by brand in three Ikea Helmers. I don't give even one shit about whether it's a waste of money, or how often I wear them. It's my thing.  Also, nail polish doesn't go "bad", whether it's a cheap drugstore brand or a Chanel. You thin them with polish thinner if they get gloopy. Occasionally you may have one change color, if the pigment is unstable, but it doesn't go "bad". I found about ten polishes from 10-20 years old in the back of a closet when I moved, and they were all just fine. They were Revlon, Sally Hansen, and OPI and even a lowly Sinful Colors. Only one of them even needed thinning! Thanks for sharing Gennifer! I debated doing that... I've heard that the Alex is a good alternative. Do you have problems remembering what you have? I bought a few duplicates in the last year, and I finally put them all in an app (MyStuff2) so that wouldn't happen. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:38:13 GMT
Painting my nails regularly is how I stopped biting them. I was a hard-core nailbiter from the age of 10 (you know the deal: cuticles would bleed, couldn't open a can of pop because it hurt my fingertips) until I started painting them. I'm not great at it, and I don't do any nail art, but it has done the job as far as the biting. Thanks for the info. I have thought about painting my nails, but I feel like I would just be drawing attention to short, stubby nails, you know? Like, why the heck is she painting HER nails? Maybe I will try it over spring break when I have a solid chunk of time off school. I actually prefer short nails! My perfect length is even with my fingertips. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:40:01 GMT
Ha! I got your wall art and raise you my display. Jealous?  That's what mine looked like until this week. It's not the most fun, is it?  |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:44:22 GMT
Love your nail polish rack! I have lots of polish (400+ bottles) and DH built two racks for them. However, my wall space was limited so I had to go with deeper shelves and double-row my bottles. They don't look anywhere near as nice as yours do. I should purge, but I just can't make myself do it. How did you purge 30 bottles?! L It wasn't easy, I will be honest. Although I was half-tempted to just get rid of everything that wasn't Zoya because the bottles are shaped differently. I did get rid of all of the Juleps, because I *detest* their bottles. They always tip on me. Next on the chopping block was all of the crackle/shatter polishes. I haven't used one for a few years, so that was easy. Then, a bunch of nude shimmers... I have super pale skin, so nudes are always tricky, and a nude shimmer just makes my hands look dead. My sister took them all, and will probably just let her daughter use them. She comes to my house every week to have hers painted. |
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Post by maryland on Jan 25, 2015 20:45:30 GMT
I love it! I am impressed with all your polish, and it does look like Zoya is your favorite! Which nail polish blogs do you recommend? Also, what base and top coat do you use? Do you have any tips on getting your manicure to last a week? I would love to talk nails with you! I actually don't read any nail blogs. I have a Pinterest board for nails that I check for ideas, and every once in a while I just do a Pinterest search for new ones to pin. I also don't use a base coat. (Bad, I know!) Every once in a while I get a bit of staining, but since I am just painting over them it's not a huge deal. For a top coat, I have two quick-dry top coats that I use the most, but neither one is perfect. Seche Vite gives a gorgeous thick glossy coat, but it goes thick quick, and even with the product they sell to combat that (Seche Restore) it doesn't totally alleviate it. SV also gives a lot of shrinkage, and that drives me bonkers. HK Girl is an indie top coat by Glisten & Glow, and I've never had any issues with shrinkage with it. It dries just as quickly as SV, but isn't as glossy or thick of a top coat. Functionally, they both work well at keeping the mani protected, so it's just an appearance difference. I don't use a top coat when I do matte or Pixie Dust polish, and those still last quite well. If they do chip, you can touch them up and they blend right in. I think that one reason my manis last is that I have crazy dry skin, and therefore nail beds. I also live in Utah, which is notorious for its dry air, and that might have something to do with it, too. I do wipe off my nail beds with polish remover (I use Zoya Remove+) right before painting to remove any dust from filing my nails or any bits of oil, and that might help, too. I don't baby them or anything, but I also don't do much that's particularly hard on them. I do the dishes, but it's just rinsing and loading in the dishwasher and then hand washing a few pots, ya know? If I was hand washing everything I think that would take a toll. Thanks for the info! I notice SV also being so thick. I have to replace the bottle after it's half empty as it gets so thick. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:45:59 GMT
My daughter is in nail school & should would love this! I can't wait to show her what you've done. I am a Zoya fan as well, & I've turned my daughter into a Zoya fan. She currently has 75 bottles of nail polish, me about 15. My daughter really likes the nail stamps, have you ever tried them? They are pretty fun! I don't have any nail plates, but my daughter does, and I use them on occasion. |
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Post by maryland on Jan 25, 2015 20:47:28 GMT
What are your favorites of each color family?
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 25, 2015 20:47:40 GMT
I will be back with my favorites, but I'm watching a movie right now, and I totally need to go into the other room to look at them all and choose. |
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Post by Zee on Jan 25, 2015 22:40:49 GMT
That's lovely! I have over 900, so this isn't really a feasible option for me. I have mine sorted by brand in three Ikea Helmers. I don't give even one shit about whether it's a waste of money, or how often I wear them. It's my thing. Also, nail polish doesn't go "bad", whether it's a cheap drugstore brand or a Chanel. You thin them with polish thinner if they get gloopy. Occasionally you may have one change color, if the pigment is unstable, but it doesn't go "bad". I found about ten polishes from 10-20 years old in the back of a closet when I moved, and they were all just fine. They were Revlon, Sally Hansen, and OPI and even a lowly Sinful Colors. Only one of them even needed thinning! Thanks for sharing Gennifer! I debated doing that... I've heard that the Alex is a good alternative. Do you have problems remembering what you have? I bought a few duplicates in the last year, and I finally put them all in an app (MyStuff2n) so that wouldn't happen. I don't have any problems remembering what I have, but I do have everything on Google docs (and they are all swatched and put in the spreadsheet before they go in the Helmers) and can always check my phone if necessary. I've purged around 300 and I've slowed down a lot on the buying. It has to be pretty special for me not to have something close enough, by now. And I swore to my whole family I wouldn't go over 3 Helmers |
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Post by alittleintrepid on Jan 26, 2015 5:53:14 GMT
I think this demands that you show us your manicure every week - with pictures! I love the set up! Most of the time I just paint them, but a friend gave me some awesome decals last weekend, so I had to use them! Here's the mani I'm currently sporting:  That is so cute! Thanks for posting it! |
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Jan 26, 2015 8:36:23 GMT
Gennifer, I'm so glad you said that about the Seche Vite; I've had two bottles and they get thick so fast! It works great until that point, but then, forget it.
I'm currently waiting for my nail polish to dry, and it's pissing me off. It's a Butter London in Queen Vic (sort of a burgundy shade) and it's been 30 minutes or more, two topcoats (it was still so tacky after the first coat), and the damn stuff is still soft! I have some Zoya sitting here; I'll try that tomorrow. 'Cause I'll probably wake up with smudged nails.
Can you, Gennifer, or any of you nail pros, give me any tips for painting your non-dominant hand. I am so useless with my left hand that I really struggle to get my right hand nails looking half as good as those on my left hand. Thanks!
Oh, and I really want to know your favorites!
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Post by LovMelrose on Jan 26, 2015 16:42:07 GMT
Whoa! That's a lot of polish! I bet you enjoy just looking at it all! It looks great!
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 26, 2015 17:23:43 GMT
Okay, it took me a while (it's like picking your favorite child!) but I narrowed it down to a few. I know a lot of these would change based on the season... Since it's winter here I tend to be drawn to deeper jewel tones.  Top row, L-R Dream: A very pretty blue. Not too dark, not too light, it can be used year round. Glitter, but not chunky obnoxious glitter. Neve: Another gorgeous blue that leans slightly purple. The finish on this is hard to describe. It's not a shimmer, but it has a real depth to it. It's almost like mercury... sort of liquidy even when it's not. Payton: This is the same glittery holo finish as Dream, but in a plummy-cranberry color. Dahlia: This is one of the original Pixie Dust polishes, and still one of my favorites. All of the pixies are being discontinued (I have no idea why, because they are fabulous... Especially the original formula ones!) so if you want it, get it now. This is a deep charcoal, but in a sugared gumdrop finish. Trixie: This is a fantastic one for nail art/accents, but not one I would ever use alone. A true metallic silver. Tomoko: If I had to choose one bottle of nail polish to have forever, this would be it. It's a discontinued Pixie, and the color is fantastic... Somewhere between gold and silver. (I've already got one backup, and am contemplating getting another one while I still can!) It's not boring because of the texture, but the color makes it very understated. Sort of a nude on steroids. Ziv: The gold partner to Trixie, and great for accents/nail art. Bottom Row, L-R Maya: This one shows as very bubble-gum-y on my monitor, but it's not. It's a pink, but a coral pink. Really pretty on everyone I've used it on. Miranda: Another discontinued Pixie, but this is a light raspberry. Haley: The perfect sort of 40's pinup red. Isla: This is another one of those mercury-type finish ones. It's a deep red, and is stunning on. Destiny: Another discontinued Pixie, and while this looks really orange on my monitor and in the bottle, it's actually a very pretty coral on the nail. Neely: I super love this one, too, and it would be my second choice of a bottle to have forever. It's a desaturated mint green that leans blue. Giovanna: Another of the mercury-type finish, but in a pretty teal color. So, now that I've shared my favorites, I think someone else should! ( Zee I'm talking to you!) |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 26, 2015 17:29:19 GMT
Gennifer, I'm so glad you said that about the Seche Vite; I've had two bottles and they get thick so fast! It works great until that point, but then, forget it. I'm currently waiting for my nail polish to dry, and it's pissing me off. It's a Butter London in Queen Vic (sort of a burgundy shade) and it's been 30 minutes or more, two topcoats (it was still so tacky after the first coat), and the damn stuff is still soft! I have some Zoya sitting here; I'll try that tomorrow. 'Cause I'll probably wake up with smudged nails. Can you, Gennifer, or any of you nail pros, give me any tips for painting your non-dominant hand. I am so useless with my left hand that I really struggle to get my right hand nails looking half as good as those on my left hand. Thanks! Oh, and I really want to know your favorites! Honestly, I think it's just practice. I've heard of some people putting petroleum jelly on their skin around the nails, but I think if you get any on your nail beds the polish won't stick as well, so it's a risk. I don't always worry about being super careful, because I know that any polish that I get on my skin will come off in the shower. |
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BarbaraUK
Drama Llama
Surrounded by my yarn stash on the NE coast of England...............!! Refupea 1702
Posts: 5,961
Location: England UK
Jun 27, 2014 12:47:11 GMT
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Post by BarbaraUK on Jan 26, 2015 17:47:24 GMT
I just showed my Dh and he said he thought I had that many  He also said he'd make me a cupboard like that so thank you!!!!  So you never buy any other brand? Any chance he would make one for my DD also?!  I'm sure her collection of Leighton Denny and Nails Inc is as large as the OP's....and she can never find the colour she wants right away!! Seriously though, that is a neat nail rack!  |
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Post by jesslee on Jan 26, 2015 18:05:19 GMT
Love it!
My husband made me a shelf like this for all my polish. I don't dare count because I'm afraid to know. Mine is full 2 deep and I have more in my beauty room. :-)
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Jan 26, 2015 18:17:17 GMT
I'm surprised so many people like Zoya. I have a number of Zoya polishes and their 'system' and I find that they take forever to dry and they smudge easily. I had a few episodes of 'let's give it another try' because I really like their polish colors, but the result is always the same for me.
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Post by SunnySmile on Jan 26, 2015 19:12:32 GMT
You could open your own salon now! I also like Zoya polishes. Nice display |
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Post by Zee on Jan 26, 2015 20:04:28 GMT
Haha Gennifer narrowing down favorites is like asking me to pick my favorite child I'll give it a whirl, just off the top of my head, and I'm sure I'll forget tons. Red: Zoya Sooki, Orly Smolder and Torrid, OPI Pretty At The Premiere, Chanel Malice Orange: OPI A Roll In The Hague, OPI Jinx Yellow: China Glaze Sunshine Pop, Orly Glowstick Green: Zoya Ivanka, Chita, Josie, Hunter Aqua/Turquoise: China Glaze For Audrey, Aquadelic Teal: OPI Fly, Butter London Slapper Blue: Zoya Blu, Nails Inc Baker St, OPI The Sky's My Limit, Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Sugar Fix Purple: $OPI Seriously It's A Naan-issue, Zoya Aurora, Essie No More Film, OPI You're Such A Budapest Pink: OPI Pink Friday, BL Alcopop, Orly Miss Conduct Gold: OPI Glitzerland Silver: Color Club Harp On It Scattered Holo: Orly Sparkling Garbage, OPI DS Classic, all of the LA Girls 3D Effects Linear Holo: all of the Color Club Halo Hues, plus Dance Legend Robots vs Humans and AEngland Dancing With Nureyev Glitter/topper: Cover Band Sticks N Stones, Crows Toes Maxxed Out, OPI Teenage Dream, Cirque Au Nude/neutral: OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons, You Don't Know Jacques Suede Gray: NYC Sidewalkers, Essie Chinchilly, Hare The Monster and Dead Man's Bones Neon: Orly Beach Cruiser, all the Maybelline bleached corals Duo/multichrome: ILNP Mutagen, Dance Legend The Knight Sorry you asked? Lolol |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 26, 2015 20:10:06 GMT
It's funny how many you mentioned that I have, too. A few of those were almost on my list... I was pulling down bottles and putting them back left and right! |
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zella
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,884
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Post by zella on Jan 28, 2015 8:36:06 GMT
It's after midnight, but I'm going to come back when I have more time and read all about your favorites, Gennifer and Z*G.
Has anyone heard of or used Trust Fund Beauty polishes? I just found out about this product, and I'm seriously considering ordering a sample collection; it looks yummy!
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,040
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jan 28, 2015 10:01:54 GMT
Did you buy the nail polish rack or make it your self? I made it. I sketched it out beforehand, to know what I wanted, and then put it together. I used prepainted wood and just nailed it together using a nail gun. The back is screwed on in multiple places, and there are blocks placed throughout to keep the individual shelves from sagging under the weight. I can see lots of comments about the nail polish but I just wanted to say well done on making the shelving unit. It looks great. |
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Post by panda on Jan 28, 2015 22:23:06 GMT
I love hearing about others with lots of nail polish! I am adddicted and slowly building my collection. I only have around 90. I do my nails 2-3 times a week.
My favourite topcoat is HK Girl. And then I top that with a few drops of Nicole OPI quick drying drops. I use an Essie base coat (I think it's called First Base).
For anyone who has troubles getting her polish to be perfect, especially on the dominant hand, this is a trick I use: go to Target and buy the #105 Sonia Kashuk smudge brush. After your nails are probably about 50% dry, take the brush and dip it into some nail polish remover or acetone (I use 100% acetone for this part), dab your brush on some newspaper to remove excess and avoid flooding your nails, and then with short strokes clean up your cuticles and skin around your nails. I also round off the bottom of my nail polish so it's a nice smooth round shape. I find dabbing the excess onto newspaper is better than tissue or paper towel - those are too absorbent.
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He also said he'd make me a cupboard like that so thank you!!!! 
I'm sure her collection of Leighton Denny and Nails Inc is as large as the OP's....and she can never find the colour she wants right away!! 
