AMW Reviews: OPI Start to Finish Base & Top Coat

Ah, after my loyalty to The Face Shop's Top Coat and The Face Shop's Base Coat,  it's high time I try other brands!  And I guess that's what my dear friend Frances had in mind when we gifted me OPI Start to Finish Base & Top Coat last Christmas! (thanks girlfriend!)

After using this a couple of months and testing through nail art after nail art, you will finally hear my say....

OPI Start to Finish Base & Top Coat says ---

The OPI Start To Finish Base & Top Coat is a breakthrough, three-in-one nail treatment that combines a base coat, top coat and natural nail strengthener in one high performance product. As a base coat, it can be applied before nail lacquer to prevent staining and to strengthen the natural nail. Also provides a smooth base for the application of OPI Nail Lacquer. 

As a top coat, the OPI Start To Finish dries quickly to give a high gloss shine. As a nail strengthener, it helps to bond nail protein fibres, a process which hardens nails and prevents moisture loss.
The result - stronger, more flexible nails.



Ingredients:

Butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, alcohol denat. (SD alcohol 40B), nitrocellulose, propyl acetate, heptane, tosylamide/epoxy resin, isopropyl alcohol, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, formaldehyde, etocrylene, polyvinyl butyral, Cl 60725 (Violet 2).

AMW says ---

Pros

• The brush is flat and easy to use!

• As base coat, it dries quickly and serves as a nice base prior to polish application.
• As top coat, the polish lasts more than a week with a lot of typing jobs, I also wash dishes and likes to wash my hands a lot of times a day!
• So far, it does not cause further yellowing, the yellowing of my nails actually decreased as compared to using other brands!
• As a top coat, it does not dry quickly but it doesn't dry slowly as well.  Just right!
• I will have to repeat, the brush shape, size is just a dream to apply!  So quick and easy!

Cons

• The brush part gets stuck into the cap a lot of times! 

• Not as shiny as other top coats in the market.
• Pricier as compared to other brands.
• Thanks to reader "L O" she wanted to add that the ingredients "Camphor and Formaldehyde" are not good.  (Do your own research and use at your own discretion).

Overall

When it comes to preventing nails from further yellowing and longevity of the nail polish, the OPI Start to Finish Base & Top Coat passed with flying colors!  You just don't get the extra "ooomph" or "shine" that you may get from other top coat which I don't mind much as I am more into anti-yellowing!

Tips

• Apply one coat and let dry as base coat.
• As top coat, apply 2 coats.  
• Use the "wrapping method" to prevent nail polish from chipping.

• If you plan to make your polish/nail art lasts longer, apply the OPI as Top Coat again midweek with wrapping method, the nail polish will last longer.
• Always close cap tight when not in use and store in cool, dry place to prevent polish from drying up easily.
• Do not apply any polish in front of an electric fan as it will cause bubbles!

Will I repurchase?
Yes, will use this as base coat more than top coat.

To whom do I recommend this to?

Anyone who's dead serious with nail polish application and wants to protect nails from further yellowing.  If you do have "resting time" for nails, then it's ok to stick to more inexpensive base and top coat!

Where to purchase and how much?

I actually will check to make sure but I believe this is around Php400.00++

Here's a good test on my OPI Start to Finish Base and Top Coat

I applied 1 coat as base and 2 coats as Top coat.  PVZ nails after 2 weeks, no chipping and obviously, it has been weeks as my nails are starting to grow.  Oh, I also applied another coat before the start of the 2nd week thus the lifespan of my nail art extends!  I think I can even go further to 3rd week if not only I'm itching for new nail art design!

A photo of my bare nails leaving Tall Nut (My fave)

As seen on photo, there are still slight yellowing on my nails which is actually not bad considering I have nail polish on for good 3-4 years!  I know, its not healthy but I can't help it!  With a good base coat, it really helps maintain at least ...close to ...healthy looking nails plus my nails are still strong as ever! *knocks on wood*

What's your weapon in preventing your nails from ---
Turning yellow?
Weakening?
Chipping? 
I'd love to hear your secret!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Eureka Moment: Inexpensive Summer Collection Polishes

Our dear local brand Caronia came up with a Summer 2011 Collection called Sweet Bliss.  Sweet Bliss is composed of six vibrant colors to match the summer groove!

This, I consider a Eureka Moment, as this is the best collection I've seen to date from Caronia!  All the shades are pigmented, colors are unique and gorgeous!  I can't help but flaunt it by creating a colorful Nail Art Tutorial (say..M&M nails?) 

First Crush (Rich Lilac)

Baby Pink (Salmon Pink)

Summer Fling (Coral Red)

Sweet Surprise (lemon yellow)

Sun Kissed (Pumpkin Orange)

On-the-Go (Aqua Green)

All shades above were applied once without base coat or top coat!  8ml bottle costs Php30.00 (approx $0.70) while Sweet Surprise is Php32.00 (approx $0.76).  Caronia's Sweet Bliss collection is now available in all leading department stores, supermarkets, drug stores and health & beauty shops nationwide.

Check them out on their website

Add them up on Facebook for more details on their new collections!

What's your favorite shade in this collection?
I honestly can't choose one!  Love them all!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: Freeway Summer 2011 Collection

Summer is here!  I will start working out and I'll probably use this as an inspiration...probably cut my head out and paste it on this photo?.....

Freeway came up with Summer 2011 Collection which is a Handpaint Tattoo Swimwear!  The company collaborated with designer Twinkle Ferraren which makes the collection unique and loved by art-lovers out there!

 

Freeway’s Tattoo-Inspired Collection is striking and definitely hot!  Tattoo lovers can take their passion for the ink to the waves or just casually lounge pool side while looking stylish. The collection inspired by tribal and tropical tattoos includes mix of strong with vibrant colored statement, sporty, functional and active-wear inspired pieces and cover-ups. Swimwears are mixed with mesh materials and tattoos printed on the suit, perfect for those who love to try new sports and activities in the beach. Twinkle describes the collection as “a modern and female version of the Pintados and tribes”.

Prepare to see these sexy collection at Freeway stores nationwide!  Aside from that, you can also checkout their wide assortment of summer dresses, shorts and tanks!  

For now, I'll share some more photos from the collection....

This is actually a favorite of mine!

For the red lovers out there!

And if you have nice...sexy..back...

Check out Freeway’s swimsuit collection at www.freeway.net.ph. For fresher updates, like them on Facebook, search for “Freeway Online” and follow us on Twitter twitter.com/FreewayOnline.

Are you doing anything to prepare your body for the swimsuit season?
I personally think you should purchase swimsuits you are comfortable with!
Nothing beats walking under the sun with that gorgeous smile and confidence!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Bulletin: Style Origin Beauty in Fashion

Dear Philippine Readers:

Good news to "fashionistas" out there!  Our favorite Ayala Malls bring out "Style Origin".  Style Origin is not just a week of Fashion events but for the whole quarter of 2011!  From the month of February to May!

**photo from Ayala Malls FB Page

Ayala launched Beauty in Fashion, an online outerwear application on Facebook.  It's like red carpet photowall wherein you can upload a picture of you in your best ensemble! (www.facebook.com/AyalaMalls360).

In line with this, there is an online contest wherein 9 fashionable Ayala Mall patrons will win Php10,000 worth of shopping sprees and this is the best part....9 of these winners will get the chance to meet....

(note: Both photos taken from Google Images)

Mr. Nigel Barker 

 and Ms. J. Alexander!

Definitely winning in style!  Here are the promo mechanics:

• Visit any Ayala Malls and have your photo taken with the Style Origin backdrop.
• Like the Official Ayala Malls Fan page and go to Beauty in Fashion tab.
• Allow access to your Facebook profile for Facebook application.
• Upload your photo and include a description of your outfit in less than 200 characters including space.  Be creative and expressive!
• Share this application with your friends!

Photo uploads (in front of the official photo wall) will be judged by three reknowned Filipino Fashion Heads: Direk Jackie Aquino, fashion stylist Charmaine Palermo and Designer and owner of Schu and Myth Ruby Gan.

Kindly checkout (www.facebook.com/ayalamalls360) for more information about this contest!

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Note from AMW: I am not affiliated with the company, this post is written for information purposes.)

Ctrl+FSearch the document

F3Find next

Shift+F3Find previous

Edit online

Ctrl+SDownload original

Save in Google Docs

Ctrl+PPrint (PDF)

Zoom in

Zoom out

Fit page to screen

Fit two pages to screen

Shift+Ctrl+FCompact controls

Plain HTML

Nail Art Tutorial: "M&M" Nails

Mr. AMW is fond of chocolates!  Buying him chocolates as a "surprise" before I head back home is the easiest, no-brainer gift!  One chocolate he adores are M&Ms!  I hope he won't chew my fingers during my sleep!  *scared*!

Can I be honest?  This is one of the hardest nail art tutorial I've done, M&Ms may sound and look easy but it took me a long time to do this!  I hope I give justice to the gorgeous faces of M&Ms inspired by this photo...

Taken by Mr. AMW year 2006 

at the Duty Free Shop Philippines

And here's my version...

Yes, I went all the way to my toes!

Step 1:

Apply your preferred base coat to protect your nails.  Apply one coat of Essie Polish in Playa Del Platinum as base.

Step 2:

Gently draw in the shape of the M&Ms.  It is your choice not to draw the "shapes" of M&Ms and paint the respective M&M shades on the nail itself.  I've used different nail polish brands for the shades closest to our favorite chocolate brand!

Step 3:

Using Prettynails' 2 Way nail art pen in Black, gently draw the outline.

Step 4: "Blue M&M"

Use a dotting tool to create the eyes with white polish.

Using the Prettynails' 2 Way Nail Art Pen in Black, draw the rest of the face (eyebrows, mouth and eyes).

Let's not forget the letter "M"

Step 5: "Orange M&M"

Same as the other nails, use dotting tool with white matte polish to create the eyes.

Draw the different expressions of M&Ms.

Again, do not forget the letter "M" using White Prettynails 2 Way Nail Art Pen.

Step 5: "Green M&M"

Create eyes with dotting tool.

The Green M&M is the only female in the group.  Draw extra lashes as shown on photo below.

Step 6: "Red M&M"

Use a dotting tool to create the eyes with white polish.

Draw the expressions of Red M&M. 

Step 7: "Yellow M&M"

The yellow M&M is one of the major character for M&M ads.  That's the reason why I chose the yellow to be located on my thumb.  Yellow M&Ms are usually the Peanut version so I have the whole thumb to draw the details of its face!

Since I have bigger space to draw the face, I am using the nail polish brush to create bigger eyes.

Gently draw the rest of the face with Prettynails' 2 Way Nail Art Pen in Black.

Step 8: Optional

After drawing the M&M characters, I felt the design is a bit bland so I added glitters on the "blank" area.

Step 9:

You can choose to blowdry your nails or wait for a couple of minutes.  Making sure the designs are COMPLETELY dry, top your precious nail art with your  choice of top coat!  I used the wrapping method!  I actually applied 2 coats of top coat in this tutorial.

Voila!  Nails ready to be bitten!

Hope everyone gets the kick out of my crazy and colorful nail art tutorial!
Have a wonderful "almost weekend" day!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!