Viewing posts tagged 'prevail'

August 27th, 2011

NYC Inspired Nail Art – Checkered Yellow Cab

 

Hey everyone, I was inspired to do some NYC-flavored nail art this afternoon.  It’s been pouring all day so I’m holed up inside, taking it easy and staying dry.  Be kind – this is my first nail art ever.

Here’s what I started with, but I felt it needed something.

So I freehanded some black french tips using Wet N Wild Black Creme.


The yellow is Prevail Taxi! Taxi! appropriately enough.  I used three coats which was enough to even out any streaks and create an opaque surface. My camera could not handle this shade of yellow at all.  Although it appears neon here it’s really much warmer, the actual color of an NYC Yellow Cab.   Anywho, I’m not certain that the Prevail brand is sold outside of NYC @ Duane Reade.  Does anyone know?

For the checkerboard nail I began with two coats of Sally Hansen XTreme Wear White Out, a basic white creme.  After allowing 15 minutes for dry time I drew a checkerboard pattern in Sharpie.  I used a very thin one to sketch out the squares, and a slightly thicker one to fill in the black squares.  I was skeptical that this method would look passable, but I think it does.  You can only tell I used marker if you’re studying my nail really closely.  My pattern was close-to-perfect but did smear a bit on one side, where some excess topcoat settled.  Next time I’ll use a very thin coat.  Also, I learned the hard way to let those black tips dry completely before adding your topcoat.  I rushed a little and my middle finger’s yellow got smeared.

Does freehanding French tips sound too intimidating?  I used to feel that way.  But I discovered a very easy method for getting straight French tips.  I load my brush with polish and anchor my hand on a flat surface, with the brush pointing sideways and slightly downward.  Then I put my nail under the brush, far corner first, and rotate til the entire tip has been painted.  The brush remains stationary and only the nail moves.  This way I get a straight, even line every time.  I’ve mastered this technique when I’m painting on my left (non-dominant) hand, but I need much more practice painting on my right hand.  You would think two different people manicured each of my hands, lol!  Therefore my right hand doesn’t make appearances on this blog.

Hope you enjoy this fun mani!  Do you prefer it with or without the black tips?

 

~ Allison ~

 

July 23rd, 2011

Prevail Concrete Jungle Holographic

When I first spotted this polish in the dimly-lit Prevail section of Duane Reade, I thought I saw a peek of holo in the bottle.  Outside in the sunlight it was clear that my premonition was correct!  I was excited because I’ve never found a holographic nail polish in a drug store before.  Say hello to Concrete Jungle.

Under low light and indoors this polish looks like a dusty lavender/pink.  (That helped make it a bit more office-friendly for me.)  Although the formula was thin, it was super-smooth and easy to apply without being runny.  Here I used 3 coats.

All it needs is a bit of light for the linear holo to really pop!  I believe this is called a linear holographic due to the bands of refraction.

I kept this on for several days and couldn’t stop admiring my nails!  It was so chameleon-light in different types of light.  My only qualm is that it chipped on the first day, even with a top coat.  I wonder if layering it on top of another color would help it wear longer?

~ Allison ~

 

 

 

July 9th, 2011

Bunch of Mini Swatches – Pic Heavy!

When taking off my polish I like to play, so here are some one-finger swatches I just did.  I used all of these.  Follow the jump to see much much more!

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