China Glaze nail polish. For the last couple months, I've been really into my nails. This is somewhat unusual for me. And I think there are a couple of reasons that I'm really taken with doing my nails. One of the reasons is the Sally Hanson quick dry oil drops that I've reviewed before. This product allows you to do multiple coats and still have an entirely reasonable drying time. But the other reason that I suddenly want to do my nails is China Glaze.
So my big gripe was always that I'd do my nails and even if I could manage to allow them to dry without some catastrophe, the look would only last, maybe, 36 hours. But China Glaze has changed that. Using their polish and their Fast Forward Top Coat, I can stretch my home made manicure out to nearly a week. For me anyway, China Glaze really lasts. I normally do my nails on a Sunday afternoon and wear the polish all week, applying a coat the Fast Forward every other day or so, until Saturday, when I remove the polish and give my nails 24 hours to "breathe" before my next manicure. Here's what I've been doing lately: I apply two coats of OPI's Nail Envy, allowing maybe 2 minutes between coats. Next, I apply 2 (or maybe 3) coats of China Glaze color, again allowing a tiny bit of dry time between coats. Then, I apply a single coat of the Fast Forward. I wait 2 minutes, then use the Sally Hanson quick dry drops. The package says nails will be totally, totally dry and hardened in 10 minutes; I generally read or watch TV for 20 minutes just to give extra dry time. The next morning, I apply either another coat of the Fast Forward or of the Nail Envy (both are quick dry products) and an additional coat of Fast Forward every other day, or whenever I think of it. With this method, I can go a full 6 days with very few chips.
China Glaze also has a super-duper selection of colors, whith many glittery and shimmery options--these are my favorite. At Sally's Beauty Supply, the regular price is $5.99 for most shades, but if you are a member of their Beauty Club, they are only $3.29, which is a good deal. (I should add that the Beauty Club membership costs $5 per year, but you get a $5 off coupon). Through the month of April, Sally's is offering buy two (even at $3.29) and get one free on all nail polishes. This is a pretty cost-effective way to go, especially considering what a manicure in the salon costs and what other higher-end (OPI, Orly) nail polishes can run. I've also ordered China Glaze products from Eighty Eight Beauty Supply; their prices are good, but they only send you a total that includes shipping days AFTER you've placed the order. I'm considering ordering from Trans Design Inc.; they have good prices and a better selection of colors than is carried in my local Sally's store.
