Monday, March 15, 2010

Unsung Hero: ELF Nail Polishes

A serious case of "Unsung Hero" will be discussed today!  I have done more than 80 nail art tutorials for almost 2 years and I'm sure you've seen this brand being used so many times.  The ELF Nail Polish --- the set that I got from my dearest friend who sent it to me because she knew how much I love nail polishes!  It's a $1.00 nail polish from ELF and everyone would think a cheap nail polish wouldn't perform! 

Well this product proved a lot of us WRONG!


**photo from www.eyeslipsface.com


ELF Nail Polish says ---

This color-lock formula with chip resistant shield gives long lasting nail color with high shine. The aerodynamic bristle design glides color on flawlessly, while the quick dry formula gives perfect application every time. Key nutrients give nails that natural shine, infused with Vitamin E for stronger, healthier nails.
Our formula is FREE of: Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP).

Net Wt: .35oz (10ml)
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Nitrocellulose, Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Iron Oxides(CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Red No.6 Lake (CI 15850), Red No.27 Lake (CI 45410), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090) 

AMW says ---

Pros
  • very pigmented shades
  • dries up quickly, no need for quick dry top coat
  • does not turn the nails yellow (not unless you wear polish daily and doesn't let your nails breathe)
  • very inexpensive
  • great packaging
  • the nail polish itself does not dry up inside the bottle, I've had mine almost 2 years and still working fine
  • no weird smell
  • after application, have this nice "shine", you can even get away without a top coat!
  • does not chip easily or crack, without top coat, this can last more than 3 days, with a good top coat, it can last a week!  (with household chores and crazy typing skill)
Cons
  • NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY!!!! *wails*
Overall

Best inexpensive nail polish EVER!  PERIOD!

Tips
  • even though some nail polishes companies vouch that their products are safe and does not turn your nails yellow, it is still safe to use a base coat prior to polish application
  • if your nails are weak, alternate polish application 2x a month or 1x a month
  • to keep the polish longer, store in cool dry place.  I store mine in a traincase which seriously prolonged the life of my nail polishes
  • apply a top coat on top of the nail polish to prevent from chipping
  • use a gentle acetone or nail polish remover in removing nail polishes
  • not available in your area?  Ask help from a friend to help you purchase and ask them to bubble wrap them well!  (Mine came in bubbled wrap and they are all safe!)
Will I repurchase?
YES!

Where to purchase and how much?
At ELF website for $1.00 (approx $46.00)

To show you how pretty the shades I've used, I've used them multiple times on my nail art tutorials and I've posted some of them here.  It's posted alphabetically!  (OC I know!) :P  Enjoy!


Berry Pink


Black


Bubblegum Pink


Champagne


Coral


Light Pink


Nude


Platinum


Red


You want your own right?  Same here!  I'm almost done with some of the shades and I want to repurchase!  I hope my reader who requested for a review for of these polishes was able to read this!  Sorry it took such a long time!

Enjoy your week!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!


27 comments :

  1. Yes yes yes! :D I LOVE ELF nail polish!!! :D I agree, it's so awesome for $1!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My fave is the champagne. but yes, too bad they are not avail locally, sigh* =(

    Happy Monday, Nikki! =D

    ReplyDelete
  3. now i have a bottle in nude too! :D but have not tried it yet. been seeing in all your posts so i am sure i will love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. i very much agree that nail polish need not to be expensive to perform. i love nail polish too, and i will not spend my hard earned money on expensive nail polish EVER which i know will just dry out.haha i'm using nail polish from local brands, and i am always able to keep my tips chip-free for a week, sometimes it could last even for 2 weeks. a good top coat is really the key and not how expensive the nail polish is. *grins* and i think, it's also on the way you apply it on your tips. =)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wish this polish gets sold here soon. I love the red and black. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i want it in light pink!
    totally my type for french manicure!
    nude is too transparent for me.
    i always like a hint of pink
    ahh why isn't elf available locally

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wooooow! All the nail polishes looks great! Great job! The nails are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love these ELF polishes too! Never underestimate the power of $1. I prefer this more than my Elianto ;P

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don't you just love cheap nail polishes that work beautifully?? :D

    Haven't tried them before though... it's not available locally here as well!! T_T

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great buy. I wonder if it's available at the ELF counter in Cebu where Khymm got her powder from.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Also, Nikki, I've been seriously considering buying your nail art set, but could you please clarify for me if this is true of your supplier? It looks like the same product kasi. Please check this review: http://pienikynsiblogi.blogspot.com/2010/03/pettynyt-ebayhin-disappointed-in-ebay.html
    thanks for your help.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have a LOT of ELF polishes. I like them pretty well. There are some better but these are really cool for $1.
    Nice write up,
    Susie

    ReplyDelete
  13. e.motion, same here! I have nothing to say but praises!

    Dang, I know! I want to repurchase! the shades are great and they do dry up on your fingers really fast as compared to other cheaper brands!

    Xin, go ahead! I'm sure you'll love it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rosey, same here, I can't pay a lot of nail polish, i dont' know why, but I just cant' :) So true about the top coat! and you know that's my secret on making my polish last longer :)

    Kessa Thea, same here! The RED is just ultimate!

    LyNn, all the shades are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anastacia, thanks sweetie

    @DdY, so true for onlly $1 and you get great quaility? I can just purchase all the shades and not feel guilty!

    Jenn, I really do! I just wish they'll bring these down here but I'm sure the prices will be jacked up if that happens!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jo.frougal, sorry I can't read the topic about the 2 way nail art pens, they are in different language! what's the issue? We do have ELF counter even here in Manila, but they don't sell the polishes!

    Susies1955, yes, they are really great, I'm sure there are variable writeups on other brands that are really good, but for the price, nothing beats this!

    ReplyDelete
  17. HEY girls just got a code for 50% off ELF polishes with code FBN1
    Have fun,
    Susie

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have a few elf nail polishes and I quite like them :) just too bad that I don't wear them often

    ReplyDelete
  19. i cant imagine such black nails on u but ur hands are gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  20. They are good?? Really? YOur post is so encouraging for me, because I picked up a bottle from Sasa the other day. Just too cheap to resist. But I haven't open it.

    I love Elf eyeshadows and lipglosses too! So nice. I couldn't believe I managed to create smokey eyes with those custom eye palettes cos they look too cheap.

    ReplyDelete
  21. These sound really good and the shades are gorgeous! I'm definitely gonna order a few next time I make an order at the ELF website.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Elf nail polish is great! I have Champagne and I love it! I think I'm going to get Bubblegum Pink and Red next. Thanks for this post Nikki!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Susies1955, thanks but I am not int he US so the code won't work as I don't have a US addy :( But I'm sure the US readers can use the code, thanks for sharing

    Connie, oohhh I like them! Its obvious I do and I'm addicted to nail polish! :)

    Yumeko, I usually use the black nail polish with a simple nail art I seldom go out with plain nails nowadays :)

    Jyoan, yes ELF brand isn't bad! Not bad at all

    Gio, let me know your favorite shade and what you purchased :) Goodluck

    Fifi, Champagne is just wonderful!!! Bubblegum Pink and Red definitely will rock your nail world!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nikki, sorry, towards the bottom of the post she has a translation in English. Thanks for taking the time.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jo.frougal, thanks for letting me know. Actually I can't vouch if the manufacturer is the same as the ones on ebay, but I had mine for nearly 2 years and as you can see, I use them almost every week. I seldom use the thin brush from the nail art pens though because I try not to open it up very often as it dries up the polish, I use the 2way nail art pen basically for the metal tip for me to be able to draw quite well on my nails. With regards to it being stuck, it does get stuck once in awhile especially if you don't use it often, that's why they included a tiny needle for you to wipe it with acetone then stick it on the metal tip to "loosen" the hardened polish. Anyways, I am SOLD out on the 24pcs anyways and I only have the 12pcs left which are limited packs as well. I don't plan to continue selling them because of the fact that I have a full time job and it take up so much of my time :) Hope this helps you out!

    ReplyDelete
  26. love it love it! price doesn't at all affect the quality of the prouct...too bad it's not available for you locally, try the singapore (asian) website of ELF i think they do International orders..nice write up and review!.

    ReplyDelete
  27. dHeL, I know, I wish it to be available worldwide!!! Really good quality for its price, I've used a couple of inexpensive nail polishes that just produces crap! :)

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to comment your questions, suggestions and just anything you may want to say! Keep smiling and stay happy!