Orly Top 2 Bottom Basecoat & Topcoat All-in-One
One thing I love about blogging is that it's not just a one-way exchange of useful information. I learn a lot from readers as much as I share what I know, which is why I always look forward to reading all the comments in my posts. I may not reply all the time due to my hectic schedule, but believe me, I remember what you say!
A wise reader once advised me to invest in a good basecoat and topcoat instead of buying expensive nail polish. This advice makes so much sense, no? The good nail polish brands like Essie, OPI and Orly are pricey for a reason - the quality is superb and the colors are perfect. But at this point in my, er, nail enthusiasm, I'm not ready to blow P300-400+ for a huge bottle of nail polish I'll probably only use for five times max. It's more practical to buy something I know I will use until the last drop, while still getting beautiful and reliable nails even though the nail polish itself is cheap.
So, I decided to get the Orly Top 2 Bottom Basecoat & Topcoat (P245).
What I love about the product
- It's thin and runny, not goopy. It's very easy to work with. I like the brush!
- Keeps my nail polish pristine for at least three to four days. They don't chip nor do I notice significant tip wear.
NOTD: The Face Shop nail polish in GR501
I've been looking everywhere for a cool mint nail polish, so I'm glad that I finally found this one from The Face Shop! It's only P95, too. It's quite streaky so I had to apply a LOT of product - two thick coats - before I got the smooth finish I was gunning for. I used the Orly Top 2 Bottom as base and finishing coat.
The nail polish actually looks a little greener in person. Love how it looks like on my nails. :D
Nail galaxy
So lately I'm rather attentive to my nails. I used to be the kind of person who didn't give a damn about nails because, after all, they're just nails! Who cares? I bit my nails a lot and picked on my cuticles (eww and yes, painful). But now I realized that on top of well-manicured nails being a sign of good grooming, nice nails can really uplift one's mood. I feel more cheerful when I'm wearing a color I love, during those moments when I happen to glance at my nails while I type or do a chore.
Shallow, yeah, but I want to be the kind of person who delights and finds wonder in little details like this.
This is my current nail color. I used two shades: the Bobbie Glaize Parasail (P35.50) as the base color and Caress Christmas Polka (P20.75) for the glitters. I love the effect! I keep imagining a small galaxy in my nails, lol. The Bobbie polish I used was just so-so since it applied unevenly but I was really impressed with the Caress one. It dried up quickly and the glitters applied smoothly. Such a steal for P20!
I used the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails as a base polish to keep the colors from chipping.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color
I think I mentioned before that I am extremely lazy when it comes to my nails. These days though I'm in the mood for some color so I took out the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish I got, oh, half a year ago! I wasn't even sure if it's still ok to use, since the polishes I've owned before tend to either dry up or curdle when opened and then stored that long.
So how was it? Well, it was good as new! You know how nail polish thickens when you've opened it? This doesn't. It's still thin and easy to spread after six months.
The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri promises to dry in 60 seconds and it does! But you have to wait a bit longer for it to completely set if you apply a thick layer, around two minutes - still not bad if you ask me.
Jumpin' Jade
What I love about the product
- Dries quickly
- There's usually no need for a second layer since the color is opaque already
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails
I got the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails polish as part of the goodie bag during the Insta-Dry launch. I've been using it regularly since then! It's a basic product to make your nails look well-groomed and healthy in a jiffy.
What I love about this product
- Has a watery texture and applies thinly
- Dry in a couple of minutes
- Doesn't chip for five days by itself since it adheres closely to the nail
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish launch
I agree with fashion designer Tina Daniac when she said that well-done nails are some of the best accessories to any look. But face it, who has the time? I sure dont! I'm probably the laziest person when it comes to doing nails, which is slightly embarrassing as it is part of my job to look presentable from head to toe. I'm lazy not because I don't see the value of having beautiful nails, I do, it's just that it takes so long to apply the polish perfectly and even longer for it to dry completely. I simply don't have the patience.


