Readers' Corner: Making Nail Polish Last For At Least A Week!

I've had nail polish on toes and fingers for as long as I remember!  I think I started experimenting when I was graduating from high school and since it was okay to wear polish in college, that's when I experimented on different colors!  

And to answer your question, I had trouble applying polish on my right hand as my left hand tends to be wobbly!  I even had to save up on French Tip stickers just because I can't draw a straight line!  If I may repeat myself: "Yes, Practice makes almost perfect." 

When friends see my nails, the first thing they would tell me is how they love to put on polish but it never lasted on them!  The maximum I heard was 3 days and no one believed me when I told them mine can last a week or more!  And mind you, I'm not the li'l princess you think I am, I wash dishes and do household chores! 

So today's feature on Readers' Corner, I'm creating a quick, simple tutorial on how to make your polish last!  Not exactly a week but at least a bit longer!

Here are the 3 basic nail products you need ---

Base Coat, Top Coat and Fast Dry 

If you're on a budget, it's just base coat and top coat!  That's enough!

L-R The Face Shop Top Coat, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 and Zoya Anchor Basecoat

Some important things to remember:

• Do not wash your hands 10 minutes before you apply polish.  Why?  The water from your nails will evaporate thus forming bubbles.
• Do not apply hand lotion, facial creams prior to nail polish application, the oils from those products may stick to your nails.
• Do not shake your polish hard, try to roll them between your hands.
• Apply polish in a cool, dry place.  
• Never apply polish in front of a fan.
• Apply with a thin coat first and wait for the first layer to dry before you apply the second coat.
• Once the consistency of your polish is dry and thick, throw them out instead of trying to save them from death!  *laughs*

Step 1:

You can wipe your nails with a clean cloth making sure they're dry and clean.  Apply a coat of your choice of base coat.

Do not forget to "wrap" even the edge of your nails!

This is called the wrapping technique.

Step 2:

Pick a polish of choice.  Once the base coat is dry, apply a thin layer of your preferred polish starting from the center working left and right.

Again, wrapping technique should also be done!

Continue step 2 once the first coat is dry.

Step 3:

Once your preferred polish shade is completely dry, apply a coat of your favorite top coat.  I've been a loyal user of The Face Shop top coat.  So far this works for me! 

Step 4:

Once top coat is dry, this step is optional, I picked my Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat and apply it all over the nails!  After several usage, I agree that it is indeed the best quick drying top coat to date!

 If done all the steps properly and with loads of practice, you may enjoy your lovely polish for a week or even 2!  

 If you managed to try these steps, feel free to comment and let me know how it went! :)

Any other Long lasting nail polish tips?

Please LIKE AskMeWhats on Facebook 

Follow AskMeWhats on Twitter 

Get "photo-updated" on Instagram (search "AskMeWhats")
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Big vs Small Game

Happy Friday guys!  The week went by pretty quickly, I guess it's because my brother is here for a short visit and he's leaving on Sunday!  

Anyways, on to the good-but-useless news!  *hahaha*  I got my own Resort's World Card! *yay*  Hey, don't give me that shocked look lady!  I'm not a gambler and will never be, but I won't be a party pooper inside a casino!  I'm scared of losing huge amount of money so I always set a side a very small budget just for the experience and fun!

And one game I would totally try aside from the Roulette?  It's the Big vs. Small game!  My brother and I played the game once inside a hotel in Macau and my bet was multiplied by 2 and I immediately cashed out!  (I'm a sissie that way!)  hehehe  My brother, on the other hand, has the luck, his bet was multiplied by 16 but he continued to play and before we get to zero, I asked him to leave!  So yes, I'm nagging gambling partner!

Today, I've created a nail art design to celebrate the game I can play at the casino.

My Big vs. Small Game Nails

Step 1:

Apply coat of your favorite base coat to protect your nails from chipping and yellowing.  I used ZOYA Base Coat. 

Nail Art Tutorial: Dainty Tri-Color

Nail art tutorial time!  I am so happy that a lot of people are trying nail art designs nowadays and I tend to smile when I see random people having cute designs done on their nails!  I guess, it's just that, I came to realize how different a person could be, there will always be some similar interests which makes the world such a wonderful place to live in!

Since I was a bit in a hurry to do my nail art for the week, I've decided to make it as fun, quick and easy!  

My Dainty Tri-Colored Nails

Step 1: 

To protect your nails from all the chemicals, apply your choice of base coat prior to nail polish application.  As of the moment, I am using the ZOYA Base Coat which is my favorite!

Next, paint your nails with a white colored polish to make your nails appear more vibrant. I applied 1 coat of Orly Nail Lacquer in Daylight.  Let dry.

Nail Art Tutorial: Aztec Print Inspired

I got inspired by the clothing piece I saw during the Roxy Let the Sea Set You Free event last week!  Both Earth and I were in love with the Aztec print top which, unfortunately, doesn't not have our sizes anymore!  

If I can't wear it, I'll draw it instead!  Not on my body you silly!  *winks*  It was my nail art inspiration for the week!  Hope you like it!

Relax!  It's not as difficult as it looks!  It's actually one of the easiest nail art to do since you don't need to do a lot of strokes but lines and dots!  The only hassle would probably be the changing of nail polish shades!

AMW Reviews: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

If you are into prettifying your nails, a good base and top coat will always come in handy.  I have heard the same complaint from various readers: "My nail polish smudges after application!"  What's the solution?  A quick drying top coat!  

One of the most well known top coat brand that has been favored by many is called Seche Vite!  I've seen various nail blogs who call this the "best top coat in the world!"  That intrigued me and I nearly ordered mine via Ebay but the long wait on shipping stopped me from doing so! 

As I was browsing through Facebook, a note from Digital Traincase that says: "Seche Vite - On Hand" made me literally jumped out of my seat and paid immediately!  I got my order the next day and I've been using this from one nail art design after the other! 

I have mixed feelings regarding this top coat, read on to know why!

Seche Vite says ---

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is widely acknowledged as the world's finest top coat.  Specially formulated to penetrate through nail lacquer to the base coat forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish.  Guaranteed not to yellow while leaving nails silky, stronger and resistant to chipping and peeling.

Size: .5 fl oz.
Ingredients:

AMW says ---

Pros

• Nice brush that's easy to maneuver.
• Polish dries up pretty quick!  Around 1 minute (top dry), 5 minutes (completely dry).
•  Application is easy and it gives a smooth finish.

Cons

• The scent.  The scent of this top coat is way stronger than regular polish.
• Does not give a very glossy shine as compared to other top coats.
• Polish at times may peel off!  I really can't tell what's the cause of this but my polish peels off easily with this as a top coat.  (Kindly read tips below on how to work this out.)
• The warning sign printed on box.  I mean, most polishes aren't safe for pregnant but having it printed on box gave me a bit of chills each time I use this.

Overall
The best quick dry top coat I've encountered to date!

Tips

•  Not to be used as base coat.  I know some top coat doubles as base and top coat but this one doesn't work!  I mistakenly used this as a base coat and my poor nail art peeled off instantly.
• If you want to prevent peeling or shrinkage of your nail polish while using Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, apply a layer of another brand of your favorite top coat then top just 1 layer of Seche.  My polish lasts longer with this trick.
• Try not to apply polish in an enclosed room, try to open your room door as the scent could get overwhelming.
• Never apply polish in front of a fan! 

Will I repurchase?
No.  As I am quite patient with waiting for my nail polish to try!  The possible peeling freaks me out since I take time to do my nail art for it just to peel after a day or 2!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who are into nail polish but hates the drying time!  It is best used by people who aren't pregnant.

Where to purchase and how much?
Available locally at Digital Traincase for Php420.00 (approx $9.80).

Have you tried Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat?
What's the top coat brand you use at present and how long does it take for your polish to completely dry?
I'd love to read suggestions and comments from you!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Pow! Bam! Boom!

Happy Friday and it's Nail Art Tutorial Day!  

How's everyone?  I'm sure we're all in high spirits because weekend is within our reach!  As for me, it'll be a very busy day of errands plus, I get to meet my past colleagues for catch up tonight!  

As for my nails, I've done The Avengers and DC characters and while I was looking at my nail polish collection, I've thought of creating another colorful nail art to brighten up the rainy season but I want to veer away from the usual Superheroes' Chibi faces!  

Yeah, I think a lot!  *laughs*

Anyways, back to the story, I've decided to re-create how Superheroes would react on a fight scene!  Yes, I know some of you weren't even born yet! :P

Here's the famous Crash! Kapow! Zlonk! from Batman and Robin circa 19-forgotten! :P

Nail Art Tutorial: DC Superheroes

Hi! Happy Saturday!!!  I finally found the time to fix my Nail Art Tutorial Photos!  Since my last "The Avengers" Nails, Mr. AMW requested I continue the Superhero-inspired nail art!  As we looked at our tiny collection, I saw a very cute mug that I bought for Mr. AMW from a Bazaar at the World Trade Center. 

DC Superheros in Chibi form :)

As I applied a good base coat to protect my nails (from Zoya), I looked for a nice color for the faces of the characters, since I can't find one, I've decided to mix GirlStuff Nail Polish in Machiatto and Caronia Regular Polish in White Satin.

Nail Art Tutorial: The Avengers Nails

Good morning universe!  I am telling the world that today will be a good one!  :)  I hope the world agrees! :P

Over dinner with friends, one of my college friend was requesting for The Avengers nail art.  Both Keith and I have thought about doing this nail art after watching the movie but I was so lazy for the last few months!  We've seen The Avengers posters and I know how they look like either on Mighty Mugg or Hasbrow so I have a couple in mind!  Too many things in mind I can't decide what to do!  So thanks to Rina for the request as I was pushed to finally create one!

Here you go, my version of The Avengers Nails

Black Widow

Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) doesn't have a particular face or mask that would make people recognize her easily so I've decided to draw her Character Icon instead.

Nail Art Tutorial: Sunkist Nails

Happy Thursday!  Good morning! Good afternoon!  Good evening! :)

Wherever you are in the world, I hope my simple nail art tutorial gives you the boost of "Vitamin C"!  I did not intend to create a "Sunkist" inspired nail art!  I was just swiping on a nice orange shade from Color Combo (thanks Bee!) then it all turned out perfect for the summer!

My Sunkist Nails

Step 1:
Apply a base coat prior to nail polish application for the protection of your nails.  Apply 2 coats of Color Combo Nail Color in CBL10 or any orange shade available!