Carolyn Braden's Citrus Duo Pedicure, Avon and Revlon Polishes

I was experimenting with Avon "Sunshine" and Revlon's scented polish, "Mad About Mango".
It's a hot summer look that looks great with my Havaianas.




Carolyn J. Braden
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Carolyn Braden is excited for OPI's Muppet Collection, Holiday 2011

Visit All Lacquered Up's blog about the upcoming OPI's line of Muppet inspired polish colors. Hmmmmm......could they be promoting Jason Segel's muppet movie? I think so. It comes to theater's on November 23rd, 2011 just in time for Thanksgiving.

http://www.alllacqueredup.com/2011/05/opi-holiday-2011-muppets-preview.html

Carolyn Braden's CND Shellac Hot Pop Pink

Here is the CND Shellac color Hot Pop Pink. This picture doesn't quite show exactly how pretty the color is. I would describe it as a magenta type pink. It's not too bright and I am loving it. I'm trying a french manicure using Cream Puff and Negligee next week so I'll post the results then.


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Carolyn Braden's CND Shellac: Rock Royalty with Negligee

Try this: Do two thin layers of Rock Royalty and one layer of Negligee. It gives you a pretty lavender sparkle purple. In the sun it shimmers so pretty!



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Carolyn Braden Tried CND Shellac: Tips for a Do-It-Yourself Application

All the supplies for my CND Shellac experiment came in this week. 

 I applied it last night and here is the the verdict:

It rocks!

The only thing I now have to wait to write about is how long this manicure will last. It is supposed to last approximately 2 weeks, so I will write about that later. I will also write about the removal process when I do it.

Supplies you need if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person like me:


CND Shellac Base Coat
CND Shellac Top Coat
36 Watt, Ultraviolet Gel Curing Light
CND Shellac Color (I purchased Rose Bud and Red Baroness so far)
99% Isopropyl Alcohol (This was hard to find for me. I ended up finding it a Meier's, which a store like Super Target, but they are only in certain states. You can order it on-line if you can't find it in your town).
Vitamin E oil (I used Sally Hansen's)
Manicure tools and nail brush
Lint-free cotton pads (I purchased mine at Walgreen's)










Here's how I did it:


I gave myself a manicure. I soaked my hands in warm, soapy water for a few minutes and then used a nail scraping manicure tool to remove all the cuticle from each nail. I used cuticle scissors to cut away any hang nails. Basically, I made sure my nails were completely smooth and free of any bumps. 


I washed my hands with soap, scrubbed them with a nail brush and dried them completely.


I then applied a very thin layer of the CND base coat to one hand. I cured it in the UV light for 10 seconds. I repeated that on the other hand. 


Next, I applied one coat of the color to one hand. I used Rose Bud for my first try with the product. I cured for 2 minutes and repeated that on the other hand.


I applied a second coat of Rose Bud to each hand and cured my nails again for for 2 minutes each. 


Next, I applied the top coat. I noticed it was gel-like and kind of thick when applying. I did this to each hand and cured each hand for 2 minutes.


I then took a lint-free cotton pad soaked it a little with the 99% Isopropyl alcohol. I rubbed it gently over each nail to remove the gel-like layer that was left on my nails. Not being a trained professional, I thought it was weird to use alcohol because I thought it would remove the polish. I was wrong. It just takes off the gel and leaves a hard, polished nail surface behind. It turns out the top coat is what dries the nails after being cured. 


I then brushed the Vitamin E oil over my finger tips to condition the skin around my nails. The alcohol is drying, so the oil conditions the dried out skin. 


Troubleshooting:


I believe I put the top coat on too thick. I figured this out because I have a couple of tiny air bubbles on two of my nails. (I only notice the bubbles because I know they are there and I held my hand up to my face to thoroughly examine them when I finished).  I didn't realize the gel top coat was so thick as is. Next time I will apply a thinner layer, cure it, then do another coat and cure it again. The thick top coat helps the polish last longer. (Best for thin nails like mine).


Do not touch your nails after curing. Don't touch them between ANY layers of polish. I figured it may leave oil from my fingers on it and make it the rest of the polishes not cure correctly. I also realized (I accidentally touched one nail during the color application) the polish doesn't fully dry until the top coat is cured. 


Be sure to lay your hand completely flat when curing. I held my thumb nail up a little to make it flat so it would cure correctly.




I can't wait to try the other color. I purchased Red Baroness and Rose Bud because I wanted to try them separately, but I also think they may make a pretty pinkish color when I experiment with layering them.  


After all the reading I've done on the product, I think I will be able to use my Stripe Rite (polish with the tiny brushes) to decorate my nails still. I love putting a little flower, stripes, or some fancy design (sometimes sparkles too!) on my ring finger. I will try to do this at some point. One nail tech I saw on-line, took cosmetic glitter and sprinkled it on the nail after curing the second color coat. She then applied the top coat, cured it, and repeated applying the coat and curing 2 more times. That may be something cool to try.    Right now, there aren't very many colors but, I read that more colors are coming out in March 2011.

Supplies I purchased for the process.

Photo of my finished nails. My iPhone didn't quite capture the color correctly. The Rose Bud color I am wearing is actually a pretty pink. It's a soft color that suits my skin tone. It's a cream, not a shimmer. I took some better photos with my camera and I'll post them later. 

Carolyn Braden: Waiting for the Katy Perry OPI Line!

I want the Katy Perry OPI line to be in stores now! Beauty First said they'd have it in January 2011.  I know that's not too far away, but I want it now!  (I sound like Veruca Salt!).  One of the polishes crackles when you put it on, making it seem like leopard spots are all over your nails. It reminds me of the crackle paint you can buy at Lowe's or Home Depot.  The polishes are also named after some of the songs on her new album, Teenage Dream. 


Check out the colors at http://www.opi.com/

The Burlesque line is a great one too!  Check that one out while you wait for the Katy Perry Line.  I love my Sparkle-icous!

More Style Tips!

The color red. Not as in politics, but the color red is really standing out to me right now. Red leather jackets will be hot, as in the one similar to Michael Jackson wore in Beat It. I recently found my husbands Michael Jackson jacket he had from a child. Yes, it was the one with the silver detailing and the zippers! It was in my closet, hidden. I pulled it out and wore it to dinner one night. Unfortunately, it started falling apart (kind of dry rotting) towards the end of the dinner. :( No, it wasn't a real leather one. Ah, another fashion hunt is underway. I loved that jacket! Time to find a real leather one.

The Wizard of Oz is big right now too. Ooohh...those ruby slippers. I wanted a pair of ruby slippers so bad as a child!!! I am going to try to get tickets to see Wicked here in Louisville in January 2009. I'd love to hear the untold story of the witches of Oz. I'm going to see Dracula on Friday night. I can't wait! I am thinking about wearing my Pammie Peacock costume. I have to think about whether I want to embarrass my friends and husband or not. :) I love my costume!!

Rose Petal is back! I loved her as a child, and I believe she is going to be big with the children of today.

Roses in general are big right now. Any color is great, but red is always a great color to go with....hence the color red being big right now.

Gunmetal colored nail polish! Wear it now. It's a silvery black color.

Lush is opening at Macy's!!! Their products are the best! Try them, you will fall in love.