[Review+Swatch] Sally Hansen Halloween 2014 Big Glitter Top Coats

Press Sample

Hi guys! Halloween is coming up in a few days! To be honest, I'm not a fan of Halloween and the whole blood/gore/horror genre. But I do love seeing everyone's Halloween manis. If you're looking for simple, quick fix for your Halloween mani, check out these two glitters from Sally Hansen. :]

Costume Glitters, 1 coat over OPI Cinnamon: silver and silver holographic glitter top coat. The formula was great - easy to apply with good glitter payoff. My light box always cancels out the holo effect, but you can see the holo squares and hexes in the bottle. :)

Dressed To Thrill, 1 coat over OPI Sleigh Parking Only: gold and holographic glitter top coat. I can't tell if the squares are gold too, but it looks silver in my pictures. This is like the gold version of Costume Glitters, and applies just as well. It's so sparkly in real life!

Verdict: They're simple and easy glitter mixes that work over any color. It's a great way to glam up your mani, and not just for Halloween!

Availability: Sally Hansen nail polishes are available at most mass retailers. Click here for a specific list of stores.

[Review+Swatch] Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Color & Top Coat

Press Sample

Hi everyone! I'm back with a review of the new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polishes. I have five from the collection, and I can't wait to share them with you. This new line features "gel" polishes that just need sunlight to cure. No special lamp is needed, and you can get the wear and shine of a gel polish. The colors themselves seem to be regular polishes, but the top coat comes in a black bottle as it's UV light sensitive. All of my swatches are shown with top coat after curing in direct sunlight.

Just a warning, I'm going to start off with a worst shade, so don't get turned off by my review. All the other colors were superb, and the top coat is really something else. ^^

Tea Party, 4 coats: pale blue with subtle fine shimmer. I tried applying this color on two different occasions and both times it was a hot mess. It's not sheer, but it applies very unevenly. If the formula was good, it'd be opaque in 2 coats. Unfortunately, I had to keep adding another layer to make up for all the bald spots. I finally got it even after the fourth coat, but you can still see the edge of my tips. The consistency is thick, so all those coats wouldn't dry. If you add top coat, only the top coat dries and the polish under stays mushy. If you want this color to work, you definitely need to let each coat dry before adding top coat.

Greyfitti, 3 coats: soft, cool-toned grey creme. Love this color! It was opaque in 2 coats, but I did a third for pics. It applied evenly and had good flow. With top coat, it dried in just a few minutes. Not rock solid, but dry enough to touch. Just looking at this swatch makes me want to wear it again.

Camo Queen, 2 coats: light olive-grey creme. Well, that's the best I can describe it. This one was practically a one-coater! Great formula and excellent dry time with the top coat. It was dry enough to touch after two minutes in direct sunlight.

Hydro Electric, 2 coats: bright, medium blue creme. It reminds me of a saturated, clear blue sky. This one applied a little unevenly on bigger nails, but it was nothing another coat couldn't fix. The consistency is medium-thin and for the most part, problem-free.

Redgy, 2 coats: bright, warm red creme. My favorite of the bunch! The formula was excellent, as was the pigmentation. It practically applies itself and the color is lovely.

About the Miracle Gel Top Coat

What makes this line amazing is the gel top coat. After applying one coat over the polish, I let the top coat cure in direct sunlight for about 5 minutes. Once the top coat cures, the polish will be dry enough to touch. It will still take some time for the polish under to dry completely. However, it will be dry enough for you to run out the door. 

But the best part is its ability to recover from nicks and smudges. I purposefully pressed my finger into the polish hard until I saw a clear fingerprint in the polish. The polish had also spread from under the pressure. 5 minutes later that nail looked good as new. Black magic I tell you. The top coat rebounds and pulls everything back in place. I also pressed my nail lightly into the polish and the same thing happened. The only time the damage was irreversible was when I nicked it hard enough to show my bare nail. Everything else repaired itself.

Verdict: With the exception of Tea Party, all the other colors applied smoothly in 2-3 coats. However, it's truly the gel top coat that makes this line outstanding. The shine is nice and dry time is quick, especially if you consider its ability to repair itself. The only downside might be that you need to apply it during the day time. Other than that, it's perfect! I can't wait to try it with other regular polishes as well.

Availability: The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel collection is available nationwide at chain drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. Both the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Color and Gel Top Coat retail for $9.99 each. 

[Review+Swatch] Sally Hansen Triple Shine Color (flakies & glitter)

Press Sample

Hi guys! When I saw this new line of polish from Sally Hansen, my eyes zeroed right in on the pretty flakies and glitters. I finally got around to trying these iridescent beauties, and I love them. See for yourself!

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Review

I Bought This Press Sample

Hi everyone!  Today I have a few of the new Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat polishes to share with you.  I've been lemming this collection ever since it came out.  I'm usually not a fan of bar glitter, but these are pretty, no?

Tight Knit, 2 coats over SH Mint Sorbet: blue and white bar glitters in a clear base.  I was hoping these would be opaque enough to wear alone, but as you can see, they're better off as glitter toppers.  Formula-wise it was okay, the glitters spread evenly and the consistency was medium-thin.

Wool Lite, 4 coats over SH Parchment: light pink bar glitters in a clear base.  I tried to get this one opaque with 4 coats, but as you can see it is not.  However, the formula is easy to work with.  I think I'll wear this again over a contrasting color.

Tweedy, 2 coats over SH Pacific Blue: black and white bar glitters with a clear base.  I loved this combo!  Well, everything looks good with SH Pacific Blue. :) 

Fuzz-Sea, 2 coats over a grey creme: bright blue and yellow bar glitters in a clear base.  This one was purchased by me, since it was the one I wanted the most.  In fact, it was the only color that was sold out every where I went.  I managed to grab the last one at Ulta.  I think it got left behind because it was a little under filled... oh well.

Verdict:  The bar glitters in here are all short, so they're very easy to apply.  However, I don't think they're for everyone.  Some of them can look a little "hairy", so if you're generally not a fan of this look, I would steer clear.  While I was hoping these would be more opaque, I'm still pleased with them as glitter toppers.  I think my favorite is Fuzz-Sea, but I liked Tweedy and Tight Knit as well.

Availability:  You can find Sally Hansen polishes at almost any drugstore.  I purchased mine for $5.99.

Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips Starter Kit Review

Hey guys!  Today I'm reviewing this gel strip starter kit from Sally Hansen in the color Red My Lips.  Just warning you, this is not a pretty review.

Sally Hansen Gel Polish Starter Kit Review

Sally Hansen recently came out with a gel line for the ladies that love longer lasting manicures.  I've had the privilege of giving this Salon Gel Manicure Starter Kit a try!  I've never used gel polishes before at home or at a salon, so I got pretty excited about using the LED lamp. x)

Sally Hansen for Prabal Gurung Digital Fashion Show

Just in from Sally Hansen!  See the video below to see Sally Hansen for ICB: A Collection by Prabal Gurung. :)


With fashion week in full swing, Sally Hansen is once again bringing the latest nail color trends to the most sought after fashion collections  for the ultimate style collaboration.  The brand's presence backstage --as well as online -- has  enabled Sally Hansen to  establish a legacy of setting color trends and bringing the latest innovations to the category.  This season , Sally Hansen has created an exclusive grey shade of the brand’s Complete Salon Manicure polish for  ICB, a collection for Prabal Gurung for Spring 2013, which will be featured on the Digital Fashion Show platform. The nail look was applied by  leading nail expert and Sally Hansen Nail Ambassador TracyLee .  The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure collection is not only on trend (the color is literally straight off the runway) but it is also an all-in-one formula that combines all the 5 steps of a professional salon manicure—a base coat, a strengthener, a growth treatment, rich color and a top coat—in a single multi-tasking polish.  
 

The Digital Fashion Show Platform represents an innovative new  vehicle to record and share runway shows, delivering  all information and materials—images, video, transcripts—needed to review, cover or potentially buy a runway collection. Designed specifically to  cater to editors, fashion writers and retail executives, this invite-only, password protected site services the industry in an efficient, modern new way. 

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color Swatches

Hello!  Today I have five out of the eight Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors to show you.  They come packaged in matching colored wraps.  I kind of wish the caps were actually colored, but it all peels away to reveal familiar black caps.

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color App/Contest & Press Release

Exciting news!  Sally Hansen just launched a nail art contest!  Basically what you need to do is register and enter your nail art via Instagram.  The grand prize winner will win $1,000 and three runner-ups will receive a gift bag filled with Sally Hansen products!  This sounds so fun, and the prizes sound amazing.  If nail art is your thing, I suggest you go and enter! :)
 

FOLLOW THESE BASIC STEPS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE #GETMAGNETIC CONTEST:

1

Register your name, e-mail and username on Sally Hansen's Facebook App: https://apps.facebook.com/sallyhansen/

2

Visit the Instagram app, snap a photo of your nail art and include #GetMagnetic into the caption

3

Show the "Love!" for your favorite nail art photos on the Facebook App: https://apps.facebook.com/sallyhansen/

The contest ends on 9/17 and the grand prize is $1000! 

Here's also the press release for the new Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color collection!

INTRODUCING MAGNETIC NAIL COLOR

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Magnetic Appeal.

WHAT THEY ARE: Create a gorgeous 3D nail art effect in just seconds using these magnetic polishes. This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles to create a pattern on the nail using magnetic forces. As the magnet is held over the nail, the iron filings in the formula gravitate toward the magnet forming the pattern/design secretly hidden in the magnet for an astonishing finish!

Applies in 2 Steps:

Step 1 – Apply 1 coat of base coat. Shake Magnetic Nail Color to activate. Remove overcap with magnet and set aside. Apply 1 coat of Magnetic Nail Color to all 10 nails and let dry.

Step 2 – Apply a thick second coat of color to 1 nail and immediately hold the built-in magnet over the nail. Rest the guide just below the cuticle without touching the wet nail polish. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for all 10 nails and let dry. Finish with a top coat.

AVAILABLE SHADES: Ionic Indigo, Red-y Response, Kinetic Copper, Silver Elements, Golden Conduct, Electric Emerald, Graphite Gravity, Polar Purple

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99 each

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Drugstores nationwide

Preview: "Rock of Ages" Inspired Sally Hansen Salon Effects

 GET ROCKER CHIC NAILS

WITH “ROCK OF AGES”-INSPIRED SALON EFFECTS

REAL NAIL POLISH STRIPS

FROM SALLY HANSEN

THINK: Amp up your nail design with some serious rock star treatment.

WHAT THEY ARE: Edgy prints and patterns inspired by the head-banging film adaptation of the Broadway hit from New Line Cinema, “Rock of Ages,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and in theaters nationwide on June 15, 2012.  Get ready to rock with the Rock of Ages Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips collection from Sally Hansen. The manicure breakthrough from nail color authority Sally Hansen takes you back in time to the 1980’s, the decade of big hair and big dreams.

The revolutionary peel-and-apply nail polish strips are available in eight limited edition patterns inspired by “Rock of Ages,” a rock ‘n’ roll romance story told through the heart-pounding hits of the 80’s most legendary bands. From rock star fashion to the decade’s hottest runway trends, like lace and neon hues, these designs are bold, colorful and guaranteed to leave you ready to rock. Just peel, apply, file and go, for a flawless, rock-star approved, real-polish manicure without the fuss.

The ultimate fashion accessory, Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips are developed with an innovative DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde-free formula that offers trendsetting, no dry-time nail looks which last up to ten days. Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate.

AVAILABLE PRINTS: 

Red-y to Rock

Rock N’ Roar

Zip It!

Star Quality

Amp it Up

Good Gene’s

Fingerlace Gloves

 
Sticks and Stones

WHAT IT COSTS: $9.99

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

Today I have for you nail polish strips from Sally Hansen.  These have been out in the market for a bit now.  Basically they are strips of real nail polish that are shaped to fit your nails.  The design I chose to review is from the new limited edition collection by Avril Lavigne.  When you open the box, this is what you'll find inside.

Sally Hansen Gem Crush

Today I have three shades from Sally Hansen's Gem Crush collection: Lady Luck, Be-Jeweled, and Glitz Gal.  These are full coverage glitters and were all opaque at 3 coats.  All pictures were taken in direct sunlight, unless stated otherwise.  I also wore these with two coats of Seche Vite, which made them relatively smooth for a glitter.

Sally Hansen Loves Me Not

Today I have for you a polish from Prabal Gurung's Spring 2012 line for Sally Hansen.  Here's some background information on this line:

Prabal Gurung’s three-color Complete Salon Manicure collection features eye-catching brights and creamy pale hues with an edge that reflects the designer’s spring collection inspired by Nobuyashi Araki’s photographic series, “Sensual Flower.”On Prabal Gurung’s fall runway, models sported Loves-Me-Not, a deep plum.

2 coats, Loves Me Not.  First of all, OMG is this not absolutely gorgeous?  Loves Me Not is a black base packed with duochrome flecks that shift from blue-purple to pink-purple.  The flecks are so dense that the polish looks more purple than black.  I would actually classify this as a purple polish despite the black base.  When applying the polish, the polish actually looks gritty.  However, I didn't find it gritty once it dried.  With top coat, everything was smooth and removal was painless.

Overall, I love this polish!  I'm so pleased that...
a) the shimmer is strong
b) and clearly duochrome (no squinting required!)

I literally stood in my driveway and twirled.  I probably looked crazy, but you can see clear changes in the shimmer depending on how the sun hits it.  It's fun, I tell you.  Believe me, you need this. x)

WHAT THEY COST: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, $7.99 each.

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Will you be getting this?  Or if you already own it, what are your thoughts on it?  Let me know in the comments! :)


Liz

*The polishes reviewed in this post were sent to me for my honest review.
Please view my Disclosure Policy for more info.

Sally Hansen Oxblood

Today I have for you another polish from the Alexander Wang Spring 2012 line.  This one's a gorgeous vampy red creme.

Oxblood, 2 coats.  Is it red?  Or is it brown?  This is one of those deliciously dark, vampy reds that look brown in certain lightings.  Maybe it doesn't fit in a spring collection, but I like it anyway.  It's very glossy and kind of squishy looking.  My only gripe about this polish is the brush.  I think I got a bad brush. :(  It wasn't cut very evenly.  Combine that with a flat, large brush and it spelled disaster with such a dark, pigmented color like Oxblood.  I think I'm going to trim my brush a bit to even it out.  I'm pretty sure all the brushes aren't like this, since I've never had problems with my other Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure brushes.  If anything, you can always check the brush at the store before you buy it.

Currently, I'm still craving soft colors, but Oxblood is definitely a polish I'll revisit in the fall.


Liz

*The polishes reviewed in this post were sent to me for my honest review.
Please view my Disclosure Policy for more info.

Sally Hansen Parchment

Hello all!  I have tons of polishes to review, so they will be going up about every 12 hours.  I got some of these right before finals, so they got pushed back until now.  I want to get them up asap, so I hope you don't find it all too overwhelming.  Here, I have the polish I wore to my graduation from the Alexander Wang Spring 2012 collection.

Here's a little background on the Alexander Wang collection:

Alexander Wang enlisted Sally Hansen for a first-time collaboration to create a clean, natural-looking runway nail to offset his spring collection which channels a tropical speed racer using perforation and lasering. Models wore Parchment, a sheer nude Complete Salon Manicure shade on the runway—the perfect accent to Wang’s downtown cool looks.

NOTD: Graduation Nails

Wow, I can't believe this day has actually come.   I finally finished my last final ever, and I'll be graduating from college this coming Saturday.  I decided to go with neutral nails for my graduation.  This is the mani I'm wearing right now, and I love it!

This is 4 coats of Sally Hansen Parchment from the new Alexander Wang Spring 2012 line.  I adore this color, and I'll do a full review of it in a few days.  After the third coat I used Essie As Gold As It Gets, then layered the fourth coat of Parchment over it.  The Essie adds a subtle glow to the color when the sun hits it.  (Honestly, you can't see it that well... lol.)  Even though I was going to keeps these nails low key, I still couldn't help but add some bling to it.  I used silver rhinestones and rose pink micro beads to match the blush colored dress I'll be wearing for graduation.

Overall, I think this is a very sweet and simple look.  What do you think?  Also, anyone else graduating this spring (high school or college)?  If you are, what color are you wearing on your nails for graduation?


Liz

*The polishes reviewed in this post were sent to me for my honest review.
Please view my Disclosure Policy for more info.