Cutex Polish Remover Wipes=Awesome

I recently tried out Cutex Advanced Revival Polish Remover pads. They are super quick at removing polish and convenient! The pads are not harsh smelling and they truly do leave your nails moisturized. Only drawback-the felt pads dries very quickly so you need to act fast or you'll end up needing more than one. I received the pads complimentary for testing purposes via @influenster I love the fact that I got to test them for free as I will be purchasing them when I run out of the sample. They'll be great to travel with too! #CutexNails #SoCutex #healthynails

Carolyn Braden: Roy Lichtenstein Inspired Nail Art

By me! Pretty good considering I had to write and draw with my left hand when painting my right. 

Hot Pink and Glitter Fade French Manicure

By Carolyn Braden using Red Carpet Manicure gel polishes.

Carolyn Braden's: Gel Polish Application and Removal, Easy!

Carolyn Braden: Bowl Full of Cherries #nailart

Here's my latest design. Cherries....the perfect summer addition to nail art!

Carolyn Braden: The Glitter Fade, #nailart

I saw the glitter fade trend in Lucky Magazine and tried it in my own way. I used gel polishes. It's a fun look!

Beyonce's Emerald Green Earrings: #Inaug2013

Beyonce got the memo: Emerald Green is the color of 2013. The earrings, vintage-esque, sparkled and shimmered with her black gown. Her nails were painted in a blood orange; a wonderful contrast to the earrings.

Carolyn Braden's "Over the Moon" #Holiday Gel Polish Mani

My first attempt at a moon mani. I used Shellac and RCM gel polishes. It was easier to do than I thought and I love how it turned out.

Carolyn Braden's Blue Sparkle Nails

Here's my latest attempt at being creative with my gel polishes. I used RCM Love Those Baby Blues and Glitteratzzi on all my nails except my ring fingers. On those nails I used Shellac Cream Puff as a base and "sponged" on the RCM blue with Shellac Hot Pop Pink. I then topped those nails with the RCM sparkles.

Carolyn Braden: Tried Sally Hansen Gel Polish Strips

I wish I could say this product is amazing but I can't. I love Sally Hansen's products. The gel strips unfortunately don't measure up. I followed the directions to the T and they chipped within a day. One gel strip actually started peeling off my thumbnail within an hour. I superglued it down hoping maybe I made a mistake since it was the first nail I did. I didn't make a mistake; it's just not a great product. The strips lasted on most of my nails but the tips chipped fast. The regular polish strips last much longer so I'll be sticking to those and my Shellac and my RCM. Maybe others will have success with the gel polish strips but I did not.
FYI:
My mom bought Gelish gel polishes and let me use them. They lasted just as long as Shellac and RCM. I may be buying that brand next time along with my regulars.

Carolyn Braden's Snowfall Gel Mani

I saw this "Snowfall" manicure in my December 2012 issue of InStyle. I used my gel polishes to recreate it my own way. I think it turned out pretty good!

Carolyn Braden: RCM My Shimmering Gown

A perfect mermaid shimmering turquoise! Red Carpet Manicure's My Shimmering Gown is the perfect addition to your gel polish collection. I layered three coats of MSG over one coat of Love Those Baby Blues.

Carolyn Braden's Final Review of LCN Polish Seal

And the survey says.......
Not worth it to me.

I had so much hope for this product but it cannot replace my gel polish. After one day my nails chipped. Being an art teacher, I must have a nail product that can withstand lots of water, clay, paint, etc. and gel polish is what works, not Polish Seal.

Pros of LCN:
Polish dries solid in three minutes.
Best for: Toenails. I will keep the product to seal my toenail polish. I like how fast it dries, enabling me to be on the go in a pair of heels in very little time.

Cons: Chips happen in just a days time.

I tried to make it last different ways (applied one coat, tried two coats, and tried one coat, then polish, then another coat, of course drying the polish in between coats) and didn't do any cleaning (it wasn't exposed to chemicals or water). It just isn't my gel polish.

Some people may have great luck with it. Regular polish never stayed on my nails but I know it may for some people. Instead of paying the 20+ dollars for it, you may want to wait for Sally Hansen to come up with their version. They always seem to be on top of their game when it comes to new revelations in polish.

LCN Polish Seal Arrived....So Excited!

I ordered my LCN Polish Seal on Saturday and it arrived today, Wednesday. I tried it right away. I followed the directions that came with the polish. I painted my nails with China Glaze Ruby Pumps, a glitter red. I Seche Clear for a base cost and Seche Vite for a top coat. I had a UV light that I used with my gel polishes, so I just used it to cure the LCN. You can use a 60 watt bulb so maybe next time I'll try that to see if there is a curing difference. So I'm on day one and will post how long my manicure lasts. I also used LCN Polish Seal on my toenails. One thing I already know is it made my nails perfectly dry immediately. No stickiness or dents!


******Update!!!!! Results of Polish Seal
http://carolynsbloomingcreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/carolyn-braden-final-review-of-lcn.html

LCN Polish Seal.....I've ordered it!

I ordered my LCN Polish Seal yesterday. It is not on back order any more and will ship out to me in 1-2 weeks. I will be using it as soon as I receive it and will update my post with the results. I am very interested in this product. Will I be able to use all my old polishes again and set aside my Shellac polishes? We shall see!

Carol Burnett....My Idol Got Gelled

I love Carol Burnett. Her comedy is timeless and now her polish will be too. I loved this ad for OPI gel polish. Carol got gelled! :)

LCN Polish Seal: Gel-Like Finish for Regular Polish

A new gel-like top coat that will possibly be the replacement for gel-polishes? The Today Show Women's Day Magazine, Dr. Oz and more have featured this product and it's flying into the hands of women across the world. I checked out a few bloggers opinions of the product and they say it's great. All my beautiful polishes will be used again. I will be ordering this soon. It's on backorder so if you're interested, order now so you can get it as soon as they get it in stock.
lcnusa.com

CND Rock Royalty and Finger Paints Glitter Polish

Try experimenting putting a regular glitter polish over a gel polish. That's what I did for this mani. I did 2 coats of Rock Royalty and one coat of Finger Paints Movie in the Park. What can I say? I love sparkles!

RCM: Gel Polish and Prabal Gurung for Sally Hansen

Here's an experimental combination: Red Carpet Manicure Love Those Baby Blues and Sally Hansen Real Polish Strips

Shellac Hot Pop Pink French Manicure

This mani is Negligee over Hot Pop Pink.