Ever since the Caviar manicure, Ciate have been challenging us to take on textured talons. Most of their trends have required special kits, implements and ingredients to achieve the desired effect, sold at a considerable price for what’s essentially a fad. That is, until now. Ladies, I propose that you have everything you need to take on the latest trend right in your own polish stash. Let me present, Blackboard Nails, a Chalkboard Manicure on the cheap! Read on »
Clicky the image above to see how to do these easy-peasy tricolour nails for Paddy’s Day. Read on »
I definitely take an anything they can do I can DIY (maybe not better) approach when it comes to nails. Whether it’s frankening, foiling or gel-ing I’m game. Recently, the pretty hard to get in Ireland, Illamasqua released an interesting range of “mottled” nail polishes as part of their limited edition l’Imperfection collection. These babies are definitely on my lust-have list should I come across them in real life. But until then, I’ll just have to make do with channeling the look in my DIY style.
I have developed a rather expensive habit of late: buying all things nail related!! Granted it’s not the worst bad habit to have but it’s proving costly none the less! Read on »
Ladies, I admit it, I have the attention span of a gnat. Is it any wonder when we live in this information age with phones, sms, email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Foursquare, never mind just plain ol’ websites and forums. Not two minutes goes by between notifications on my phone, tablet or computer and my focus is constantly darting about. It’s hard enough for me to concentrate enough on actually executing a manicure with precision (not touching the cuticles is like the grown woman’s version of not colouring outside the lines…) and I have to wait for it to dry too?! You could give me all the speed dry topcoat in China and I’d still manage to smudge it somehow. It doesn’t help that I like to paint my nails in the wee hours, in the dark, just before bed. That’s how I roll. The day Ciate release a “Duvet Imprint Effect” manicure I’ll be laughing. Read on »
We have a bit of a love/hate relationship with nail wraps here in Dolly Rougeland. We’ve put a few different brands to the test, including Nail Rock, Bling and Sally Hansen. You wouldn’t be surprised to know that the old reliable Sally Hansen came up trumps, as did Penneys’ buy Bling. Nail Rock‘s “designer” offering however left us feeling cold, being tricky to apply and peeling off within hours.
Given the mixed bag of nail wraps we’ve encountered, we regarded the launch of Myleene Klass’s new Nails range with interest. How would the celeb endorsed product (made by JML) fare next to the stalwarts? See them in action below.
The witching hour is nigh ladies, and though the dressing up is largely left to the kiddies for tomorrow night, that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up your nails! Why not get in the spirit and treat your talons to some spooky nail art?
My mani above is thanks to Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure, who have released a range of terror-themed false nails for Hallowe’en. In case you haven’t met their imPRESS press-on range before, they’re designed to make awesome nails easy peasy, and they really succeed! There’s 24 nails in a pack, each having glue pads pre-applied. So you simply need to match up the right nails to fit, peel off the backing, stick on and go! The kits also come with a prep-pad to remove oils from the nail and a dinky emery board for shaping. Seriously it couldn’t be easier.
Apparently imPRESS nails will last for up to a week. The glue is certainly strong, which I discovered as I tried to straighten a poorly positioned falsie and nearly tore my own nail off! Over the past 2 days I’ve plunged my hands into hot, cold and soapy water and knocked them off various things in my clumsy way, but the nails show no sign of budging. Colour me imPRESSed! The only slight gripe I have, is that the glue pads extend above my natural nails (and my nail beds are fairly long) so dust and dirt sticks to the excess. It’s kinda gross, but can be managed with soap and a nail brush, or a cotton bud soaked in surgical spirits.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-On Manicure for instant fab without faff. Get yours in chemists and department stores nationwide (including Penneys and Dunnes!) for around the 8 quid mark.
Will you be sporting some spooky nail art for fright night? Be sure to link your pics in the comments!
Essence are a brand that holds a special place in our hearts here at Dolly Rouge HQ; they have a huge range of cheap as chips yet stellar quality products that are perfect for a payday pick me up without breaking the bank. Today I bring you some of their new release products for Autumn/Winter and as usual Essence have not failed to deliver! Let me know in the comments if you have picked anything up!
We’re not shy about getting into the spirit of things around these parts (I not once, but twice, had the honour of being the only one who turned up in costume to a work fancy dress competition in two different jobs. I don’t get why people take themselves so seriously, have some fun!). So in honour of Team Ireland‘s efforts in the London 2012 Olympics I’m sporting a French an Irish manicure! You can also adapt this to suit your tricolour of choice – Italy, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands I’m looking at you! Read on »
Seriously, how cute are these nails. I wish I could take the credit for them (and I was very tempted with all the comments I got!). Alas they are not my work but that of Two Crafty Unicorns. These girls have a serious talent for pretty adornments – jewellery, nails, shoe clips and more! Read on »
