Confession time: I’m terrible at doing my nails. Absolutely terrible. I find that every time I attempt to polish my nails, it always looks atrocious because I can never get my hand steady enough to maneuver the brush properly. And furthermore, I often end up smudging or chipping my polish almost immediately.
With all the new products available out that are supposed to reinvent, renew and simplify the ‘nail polish’ industry, I thought I’d try out some. I’m always looking for an easier way to make my nails look ‘presentable’, and I’ve found many different avenues of reinvented nail art (i.e. small polish brushes! stick on nails! magnetic polish!). If there was ever a person to try out a simpler way to do their nails, it’s definitely me.
Therefore, starting with this post, I’ll be doing a mini-series on these new ‘nail’ inventions! I’m hoping that with this experience can bring forth answers to questions such as:
- Do they make your life easier?
- How simple are they for beginners?
- Are they worth your time?
- Are they worth your money?
So, onwards to my Nail Education! First up: Sally Hansen’s At Home French Manicure Set
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Credit: Ashley McKernan
Price: $9.99 (CAN)
What It Claims: “…easy to use, professional results at home…”
First Impressions: I’m sure the product was going to be fine; I only have reservations about myself and my own abilities. There are also multiple steps to this – lord, help me.
How To: I’m going to include a How-To on this review, just because there are a few steps
- Do a ‘base coat’ with the Sally Hansen Base Coat polish (included) Wait until dry.
- Remove the tiny white strips that come with the package. These strips are placed on your nail, a few millimeters from the actual tip of the nail.
- Using the white ‘marker’ provided, press down gently to release the white polish.
- Gently spread onto the tip of the nail, using the strip as a guide
- When dry, do a coat of the Sally Hansen ‘No Chip’ Nail Colour in Barely There (included)
- End with ‘top coat’ with again, the Sally Hansen Base Coat Polish (included)
You know what’s even easier? Here’s an actual video, provided by Sally Hansen themselves.
Review: Please keep in mind that I am a ‘newcomer’ to the polish business. That being said, I found this product to be relatively simple to use and navigate. I adore the white polish marker – I think it’s so much more practical than using regular white polish. The edges of the marker help you perfectly define the tips of the nail. It definitely made it 100% easier for someone as inexperienced as myself.
One drawback – the white polish tends to bleed through the strips. If this happens to you, I found that having a Q-Tip saturated with nail polish remover on hand helped. When you peel off the strip and see a bit of bleeding, just gently rub it off with the Q-Tip. Easy-peasy.
I adore the colour of the second polish. So sheer, and definitely makes it look like a professional French Manicure. I would use this polish colour again, even on its own.
The polish (as always), takes significant time to dry. I smudged my thumb within an hour.
Some touch ups needed here or there, but overall not too bad for a beginner!
I’ve attached photos of my first time doing my own French Manicure. Please keep in mind that I am very new and inexperienced at doing my own nails. I’m expecting areas of smudginess and colour outside of the lines. Experience will only come with practice. So bear with me, if my nails aren’t perfect!
For a first attempt, not too shabby.
Final Verdict: Good, for my first try and very good product for beginners. I love the white marker, I think it’s ingenious, and would definitely use it again and again. I enjoy that for the bargain price of around $10, you can get everything you need to do your own manicure. You’d never pay that little in a salon.
What do you think? Has anyone used this product before? Any nail newbie’s out there with me? Let me know what you think! Email me at ashley@torontobeautyreviews.com, or please leave a comment.
NOTE: Product was purchased.
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Really? That’s so awesome! The guides were a life saver! I would have been a true mess if not for them. Thanks Heather and Kayla!
Weird! They must have changed it because I had zero issue with the strips staying on (just the bleeding through).
I’m genuinely terrible at doing my nails, hence my little nail education! Honestly, it was a bit easier than I thought, definitely give it a try!
This is actually our go to brand for the french manicure. The sticker guides make things so easy. As with any nail polish though, it does seem to take forever to dry. You did a great job! Heather & Kayla
This is actually our go to brand for the french manicure. The sticker guides make things so easy. As with any nail polish though, it does seem to take forever to dry. You did a great job! Heather & Kayla
This is actually our go to brand for the french manicure. The sticker guides make things so easy. As with any nail polish though, it does seem to take forever to dry. You did a great job! Heather & Kayla
This is actually our go to brand for the french manicure. The sticker guides make things so easy. As with any nail polish though, it does seem to take forever to dry. You did a great job! Heather & Kayla
This is actually our go to brand for the french manicure. The sticker guides make things so easy. As with any nail polish though, it does seem to take forever to dry. You did a great job! Heather & Kayla
oh i like that it’s for beginners. i’m so bad at doing my nails. :X
Pretty good Ash! I think I tried this kit out before way back when – but those paper strips wouldn’t lie flat for me LOL!