This is it cookies, my last blog post! *tear* In case you missed it, please read this post as it explains my thoughts and feelings regarding retiring from the blog life. For today's post I wanted to share my favorite 20 nail polishes from this year.
There are way more than 20 that I loved of course, but these stood out
just a bit more from the rest for one reason or another. The blog post where I reviewed each polish is linked with the shade name if you're interested. In no particular order, see all my picks after the jump!
The Time Has Come...
I have been contemplating writing this post for a while now, and I can't put it off any longer. I have been blogging for a long time, si...
Showing posts with label favorite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favorite. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Thursday, December 31, 2015
My 25 Favorite Nail Polishes of 2015
Hey friends! What a long crazy ride 2015 has been eh? I blogged more this year than I have the past three, which was a big accomplishment for me. I'm really happy and proud of myself to still be going for more than six and a half years!
These are 25 of my favorite shades from this year, indies and mainstream brands. They're not in any particular order, that would be impossible for me haha. It was hard enough to narrow it down to these in the first place!
And of course, I loved many more shades than these this year, but they just stood out a little bit ahead for one reason or another. The blog post where I reviewed each polish is linked with the shade name if you're interested. See all my picks, after the jump!
These are 25 of my favorite shades from this year, indies and mainstream brands. They're not in any particular order, that would be impossible for me haha. It was hard enough to narrow it down to these in the first place!
And of course, I loved many more shades than these this year, but they just stood out a little bit ahead for one reason or another. The blog post where I reviewed each polish is linked with the shade name if you're interested. See all my picks, after the jump!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
My Nail & Hand Care Essentials
Hey guys and gals! Today I wanted to put together a post with all my essentials that I use to keep my nails and hands in tip top shape. These are my favorites right now but I seem to add or take something out every few months as I find new things that work better. This is just what is working for me at the moment.
Duri Rejuvacote - This has been my favorite nail treatment for a little over a year. I use it on bare nails for every manicure. I like this better than any other treatment I've tried. I still get peels on a few of my nails occasionally but no where near what I used to. And my nails grow faster and longer using this than ever before!
Orly Primetime - I use this as a primer for my nails before I put on my base coat, it removes all traces of oil and residue so my products can adhere to my nail cleanly and completely.
Orly Bonder - I have used this base coat for years and no matter what others I try, I always come back to this one. It is rubberized which helps the polish adhere to it better. It helps my polish go on well and resists chips. I believe everyone's body chemistry is different and what works for me might not work for you, you just have to experiment with different base and top coats to figure out the best combo.
Glisten & Glow HK Topcoat - I wrote a review for this top coat not too long ago, you can see this post if you haven't read it. This is my favorite because it dries super fast and shiny. It also doesn't have any of the unfortunate side effects of other quick dry top coats, it doesn't get thick and goopey, it doesn't shrink the polish when it dries, and the surface doesn't get scratchy looking over time.
Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil - This stuff is so amazing, it is practically liquid gold to me! I mentioned above how I occasionally have peeling nails and I have always had issues with dry and overgrown cuticles. I have been searching for something to supplement my nail care routine to hopefully help these concerns outside of my usual products. I found rave reviews of this nail oil, how it hydrates your nails and makes them more flexible, so I decided to try some and have fallen in love. I use this multiple times daily and it's made my cuticles nicer than ever! I'll do a more in depth review on this soon, it deserves it!
Acetone and Acetone/Glycerin/Water Mix - I have a hard time tolerating most scents and a lot of the nail polish removers out there have some kind of scent I can't handle. So I use pure acetone, it works the best and has no added scent. It can be drying though, so I add glycerin and water to make it more moisturizing. You can learn about this from Loodie Loodie Loodie, she explains it better than I could. I do use straight acetone to do clean up around the edges of my nail after painting. You can read about that process here from Lacquerized.
Dappen Dish - I use this small glass dish to pour the acetone in that I use to clean up around my nails. It's super cheap and really helps my manicure routine.
Small brush - This is my preferred brush to use for clean up with acetone around the edges of my nail. It's the e.l.f. concealer brush that I got for $1 at Kmart. It works well and is easy to replace when needed.
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover - This is my most used cuticle remover, though I have a few kinds. It's a gel formula that is easy to apply with the squeeze bottle. I used it at least weekly.
Julep Hand & Cuticle Stick - This product is newer to my routine. I tried it on recommendation from Young, Wild & Polished (she's hilarious in her videos!). It is a balm that melts with the warmth of your skin. It smells amazing, like clean laundry, and it is easy to carry in my purse for quick applications on the go. It doesn't make my skin shiny either, which is helpful for taking photos of my nails.
Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer - This has to be my favorite lotion ever, hands down (hehe). I used to use it in high school after I went tanning, which I don't do anymore, but I always loved the clean scent and moisturizing effects. I recently got another bottle for a gift and it's quickly become my favorite and most used lotion. It is a little on the pricey side but I just love it.
I'd love to hear about your nail care essentials! Tell me about your favorites in the comments :) Also let me know if you have any questions about my nail routine, I'd be happy to answer!
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Duri Rejuvacote - This has been my favorite nail treatment for a little over a year. I use it on bare nails for every manicure. I like this better than any other treatment I've tried. I still get peels on a few of my nails occasionally but no where near what I used to. And my nails grow faster and longer using this than ever before!
![]() |
Source |
Orly Primetime - I use this as a primer for my nails before I put on my base coat, it removes all traces of oil and residue so my products can adhere to my nail cleanly and completely.
![]() |
Source |
Orly Bonder - I have used this base coat for years and no matter what others I try, I always come back to this one. It is rubberized which helps the polish adhere to it better. It helps my polish go on well and resists chips. I believe everyone's body chemistry is different and what works for me might not work for you, you just have to experiment with different base and top coats to figure out the best combo.
![]() |
Source |
Glisten & Glow HK Topcoat - I wrote a review for this top coat not too long ago, you can see this post if you haven't read it. This is my favorite because it dries super fast and shiny. It also doesn't have any of the unfortunate side effects of other quick dry top coats, it doesn't get thick and goopey, it doesn't shrink the polish when it dries, and the surface doesn't get scratchy looking over time.
Source |
Bliss Kiss Pure Nail Oil - This stuff is so amazing, it is practically liquid gold to me! I mentioned above how I occasionally have peeling nails and I have always had issues with dry and overgrown cuticles. I have been searching for something to supplement my nail care routine to hopefully help these concerns outside of my usual products. I found rave reviews of this nail oil, how it hydrates your nails and makes them more flexible, so I decided to try some and have fallen in love. I use this multiple times daily and it's made my cuticles nicer than ever! I'll do a more in depth review on this soon, it deserves it!
![]() |
Source |
Acetone and Acetone/Glycerin/Water Mix - I have a hard time tolerating most scents and a lot of the nail polish removers out there have some kind of scent I can't handle. So I use pure acetone, it works the best and has no added scent. It can be drying though, so I add glycerin and water to make it more moisturizing. You can learn about this from Loodie Loodie Loodie, she explains it better than I could. I do use straight acetone to do clean up around the edges of my nail after painting. You can read about that process here from Lacquerized.
![]() |
Source |
Dappen Dish - I use this small glass dish to pour the acetone in that I use to clean up around my nails. It's super cheap and really helps my manicure routine.
![]() |
Source |
Small brush - This is my preferred brush to use for clean up with acetone around the edges of my nail. It's the e.l.f. concealer brush that I got for $1 at Kmart. It works well and is easy to replace when needed.
![]() |
Source |
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover - This is my most used cuticle remover, though I have a few kinds. It's a gel formula that is easy to apply with the squeeze bottle. I used it at least weekly.
![]() |
Source |
Julep Hand & Cuticle Stick - This product is newer to my routine. I tried it on recommendation from Young, Wild & Polished (she's hilarious in her videos!). It is a balm that melts with the warmth of your skin. It smells amazing, like clean laundry, and it is easy to carry in my purse for quick applications on the go. It doesn't make my skin shiny either, which is helpful for taking photos of my nails.
![]() |
Source |
Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer - This has to be my favorite lotion ever, hands down (hehe). I used to use it in high school after I went tanning, which I don't do anymore, but I always loved the clean scent and moisturizing effects. I recently got another bottle for a gift and it's quickly become my favorite and most used lotion. It is a little on the pricey side but I just love it.
![]() |
Source |
I'd love to hear about your nail care essentials! Tell me about your favorites in the comments :) Also let me know if you have any questions about my nail routine, I'd be happy to answer!
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Monday, June 6, 2011
Spring Favorites
Hey everyone :) I hope you had a lovely weekend! I want to start doing "Favorites" posts every few months so I can let you know the things I'm diggen' lately, there are so many things I love that come and go that I really am remiss in letting everyone know about. This will just be a round up of things, mostly nail related, beauty related, maybe a few miscellaneous things thrown in, I don't know I haven't quite figured it out yet.
Favorite Moisturizer as of now - True Blue Spa Super Softening Hand Lotion Paraffin, Look Ma, New Hands. This stuff is awesome, I have it in the trial/travel size, 2.5 fl. oz and I definitely need to go back and stock up because it's amazing. I love it after I finish a manicure or just when my hands need a good drink. It smells like orange blossom. You can get it at Bath & Body Works.
Favorite Polish Remover as of now - Beauty Secrets Non-Acetone. This stuff isn't bothering my nose as much right now, it smells a little like blueberry candy maybe? And it's very cheap. I am dryer than usual and my regular acetone/glycerin cocktail remover was exacerbating the effects of the sun. This one is more moisturizing and the non-acetone isn't as bad at removing as most of the others that I've tried. You can get this at Sally Beauty. An honorable mention goes out to Butter London Powder Room Non-Acetone remover.
Favorite Polish as of right now - I'm obsessed with getting all the China Glaze Kicks collection polishes. Idk why now, because they came out in Spring 2009, but I feel the need to have them immediately haha. I think I still need: B-Girlz, Breakin', Fly, It's Poppin', and How Street It Is. Also, my friend Kae has made some beautiful frankens I've shown you here and here. I still have one very SEXY special one to show you soon that will blow you away, hehe.
Favorite Top Coat as of right now - I am back in love with my old standby Poshe. It really is superior to Seche Vite in my book. Applies better, lasts longer without getting thick, and doesn't shrink my polish.
Favorite Base Coat as of right now - To stop my nails from getting stains, the best base coat I've found is Lumos Instant Impact Bottom coat. I'll be doing a full review on this soon, so stay tuned.
Favorite Nail Treatment - To get my tips longer and stronger than they've been in a LONG time, my secret is Nail Magic--a formaldehyde based strengthener. This won't work for everyone but it has gotten rid of my peels and give me healthy, hard tips. I've stopped using it for now to give my nails a break so they won't get too hard and brittle. You can get Nail Magic at Sally Beauty.
That's all I have for this installment :) What are some of your current favorites? I'd love to hear them in the comments!!
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h5SiX1nJ_70/TeyELPvcB7I/AAAAAAAAHCE/DtvYOLqXd9g/s1600/signature.jpg)
Favorite Moisturizer as of now - True Blue Spa Super Softening Hand Lotion Paraffin, Look Ma, New Hands. This stuff is awesome, I have it in the trial/travel size, 2.5 fl. oz and I definitely need to go back and stock up because it's amazing. I love it after I finish a manicure or just when my hands need a good drink. It smells like orange blossom. You can get it at Bath & Body Works.
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Image via Bath & Body Works |
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Image via Sally Beauty |
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Image via China Glaze |
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Image via Amazon.com |
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Image via Famous Names Products |
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Image via Sally Beauty |
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Top 20 of 2010
Here are my top 20 of 2010, meaning these are my favorite nail polishes as of the end of 2010--not that they have all come out in 2010 :)
20. Mac - Ming Blue
19. Deborah Lippmann - Bad Romance
18. Gosh - Gasoline
17. Ulta - Tainted Love
16. Zoya - Gloria
15. Man Glaze - Fuggen Ugly
14. Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure (seen here over Rain by Eyeko)
13. China Glaze - Heli-Yum
12. Zoya - Edyta
11. OPI - Smitten With Mittens
10. China Glaze - Ingrid
9. Glitter Gal - Copper
8. Butter London - Marrow
7. Gosh - Holographic
6. China Glaze - Groovy Green
5. BB Couture - Coal Miner
4. Zoya - Kelly
3. Deborah Lippmann - Across the Universe
2. OPI - Glamour
1. OPI - Merry Midnight
Oh dear spaghetti monster, zeus, and cthulhu if I forgot any please don't strike me down haha! I hope everyone had/has a happy and safe new years!!
xoxo,
kelliegonzo
20. Mac - Ming Blue
19. Deborah Lippmann - Bad Romance
18. Gosh - Gasoline
17. Ulta - Tainted Love
16. Zoya - Gloria
15. Man Glaze - Fuggen Ugly
14. Sally Hansen - Hidden Treasure (seen here over Rain by Eyeko)
13. China Glaze - Heli-Yum
12. Zoya - Edyta
11. OPI - Smitten With Mittens
10. China Glaze - Ingrid
9. Glitter Gal - Copper
8. Butter London - Marrow
7. Gosh - Holographic
6. China Glaze - Groovy Green
5. BB Couture - Coal Miner
4. Zoya - Kelly
3. Deborah Lippmann - Across the Universe
2. OPI - Glamour
1. OPI - Merry Midnight
Oh dear spaghetti monster, zeus, and cthulhu if I forgot any please don't strike me down haha! I hope everyone had/has a happy and safe new years!!
xoxo,
kelliegonzo
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