Reddit mentions: The best nail polish & decoration products

HAPPY CAKE DAY! =D

Hmm...I have many favorite songs, but this is definitely near or at the top of my list! It's called Ode We Will Bury Ourselves by Moving Mountains. They're a fantastic band, and I highly recommend them! This is one of their older things, and they've sort of altered their sound a bit, but I still think they're a really really great band that makes great music. =) I hope you like this song, too!

My favorite animal is honestly a tie between a sea otter and a bunny! I love sea otters and I think they're adorable. I love going to the aquarium or the beach and watching them be their cute furry selves! I also have a pet bunny, though. She's equally awesome. Smart, cute, soft and unbelievably furry. :3 Both animals are just too awesome to me, hehe.

As for my best joke, I wanted to tell you a good chemistry joke, but all the good ones argon. Eh? Eh? Hahaha, yeah...

Thank you so much for hosting this contest, and again, happy cake day! If I win I would very much like any of the nail polishes on my list, including this one, this one, or this one! Surprise me, please, if I win! I can't decide between those three! X)

Do you have a Pinterest Board/Spreadsheet of Polishes you own? Link? Alas I do not, but I do have a photo. Back row is Revlon/Sally Hansen, 2nd back are China Glaze, 2nd from front is Ulta3 (Aussie cheapie brand, not the same as Ulta) and Sinful Colors, and front row is OPI, Essie, and misc indies.

Can your SS include gently used polishes/items? For sure!!

What types of items would you enjoy receiving other than polish? I really have no serious preference. I love to be surprised :D I love cat stuff (love my cat, Claus), I'm currently obsessing over the SF Giants (baseballllllllllll!!!!), My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (GO PINKIE PIE)... and just stuff, honestly. I'm not a fussy person and will love and adore anything I'm sent.

Food Allergies: None, but I do not do well with spicy foods so please avoid anything even a lil bit burny.

Favorite Candy/Snacks: I adore sour stuff like warheads, umeboshi... etc... Roll'd Gold pretzels.

Favorite Type of Cookie: Choc chip. Can't go wrong with a classic!

Favorite Scent: So... Sinful. That stuff is amazing, it smells like cake!

Five Desired Polishes/Polish Related Items: Zoya - Zuza, Julep - Monica, Orly Bonder, Seche Vite, BlackSheep Lacquer - Farore.

Favorite Polish Brand: At the moment, China Glaze. I've never tried Butter, Zoya, or Julep >.<

Favorite Color: Pretty? I seem to have a lot of bluey greens so I guess they would be!

Do you have any Hobbies? Gaming :D Annoying my cat, working on my quilt... This is the centre block, all sewn by hand, no machine work... Listening to music... stuff........

Do you Collect Anything? I collect Pinkie Pies (but only the current gen because the older ones are creepy now), I collect the Vinyl Pop figures (I have Fionna and Marceline from Adventure Time and Pinkie Pie), and I collect teas (do NOT like russian caravan style teas)

Favorite animal: Wolf. And then, cat. This is mah tattoo.

What is your lemming (Most wanted polish) I don't think I have one currently to be honest. Probably a popular brand or indie that I haven't tried?

What person (dead/alive) you would like to meet? Richard Branson. Easy. I have his autobiographies and they are AMAZING.

Favorite Music Artist/Type: The Living End. I listen to anything except for a lot of screamy music, country, or rap. There are artists in all those genres that I enjoy but just not a massive fan as a whole.

Favorite Stores to shop at: Kikki K. Oh em gee I adore Kikki K. Also love places like JB HiFi (Aussie version of Best Buy).

Favorite Sports Team/Athlete: SF GIANTS!!!!

One Place You Would Like to Visit: Himeji Castle in Japan :)

Favorite Magazines You Do Not Subscribe To: I have no idea :S I'm not a magazine kinda gal really.

Favorite TV Show: This is a stupidly tough question. I lurrrrrve Detective Conan (Japanese version because the dub was HORRIBLE), Hannibal, Better Off Ted, Orphan Black, Tattoo Rescue, The Amazing World of Gumball, RuPaul's Drag Race (still watching the last season, DO NOT SPOILER)... other shows... I'm not a fan of too many American comedies tbh.

Anything else your SS should know about you: I'd be grateful for a fart in a box (please don't) :D I'm so excited to be a part of this event so I will love whatever you send!!!

Awh, that sounds like a good night, at least. I mean, at least you weren't stressed out or running around and you were able to relax together, albeit doing different things. My boyfriend and I usually have our respective Me time as we mostly stay in and hangout with each other. We're both pretty broke right now, too, so until I get a job we won't be doing too much of anything. I LOVE to bake, and he loves to eat my baked goods, so I would definitely want to bake something for him! Perhaps some tasty mini filled cakes that are root beer float themed-root beer flavored cakes with a creamy vanilla filling. (He has requested that flavor combination to be included in one of my next creations.) Or I could make some mini ice cream sandwiches! Ahhh they're SO cute! These ones are adorable, too! Vanilla cookies with orange cream ice cream, because we just found a half pint ice cream maker at the thrift store (still in the box sealed, $7!!) and I want to use it for something adorable. Of course, if I were baking I would need an oven mitt so I didn't burn myself =P My favorite mitt got a hole right between the thumb and the rest of the mitt. Fail. Let's be honest, this freaking mixer would make my LIFE, not just my night, but that will just have to wait until I win the lottery or something. ;P

After baking, we could both lounge around and I would make some cool crafts. I have been wanting to make coasters using these dyes and/or these dyes or these ones and alcohol on some ceramic tiles. Look! How freaking awesome, right?! Cool times. (How old are your kiddos? These would be SO much fun to make with kids!! Have them sign their names in sharpies with the date!) Plus then our wood coffee table won't be ruined. So, you know, that would be good. While I'm crafting he would certainly be playing some video games. He has been lusting over Dead Space 3 FOREVER. (So, if I happen to win and it is within the budget, that is the top item for me, because I know how happy he would be to have it and I can't afford to get it for him right meow.)

While waiting for the crafts to dry I would play with my kitties. This toy is awesome looking. Once the kitties were all tuckered out, I would seal the tiles and then I would absolutely want to paint my nails. Boyfriend would still be playing video games so I would sit next to him on the couch and paint nails and watch him own. He's so good at shooting games, I love watching him play! I'm sure he would be eating some of the fresh bakery, too =) I would paint them this most amazing green color EVAR with some glitter on top. Then, because I don't know when to stop with anything having to do with my nails, would add these super freaking cool studs to them!

After all that I would be pretty tired, so I would just lounge around on the couch waiting for my nails to dry while he inevitably still played his game. lol. Yes, this would be perfect me time and him time and us time and just a perfect night in! This is a really cool contest idea! <3

Sorry for the late response, busy day! If she's into stamping, I really like this set of stamping plates, but if you're not sure if she already stamps, you might want to get her a stamper too.

For more unique colors, I like shopping online a lot more than ULTA type stores (although those are great places to get polishes on clearance). ULTA should definitely have holo polishes though, and probably a few duochromes! I really like Color Club Beyond in the holos category (actually, all the Color Club holos are great! Probably the best ones IMO). As for duochromes, glitterbombs, and jelly glitters, I think indies are definitely the way to go. Check out this site, it has BUNCH of different indie brands, and the shipping is pretty fast. In particular, look at Enchanted Polish, Glimmer by Erica, A England, Hare Polish, Jindie, Ozotic (I have been trying REALLY HARD to resist this temptation especially), and Picture Polish. The last two jelly glitters I linked are from Sonnetarium and The Hungry Asian. I also really like Pretty and Polished on Etsy.

I also wouldn't rule out Amazon completely. A lot of polishes actually come from the same shippers, and usually shipping is really fast, and pretty cheap. China Glaze for example retails for $6-7, and they're usually $5 including shipping from Amazon. Also, shopping online is just easier :P For a few pretty unique colors, try China Glaze Some Like it Haute, Essie Bikini So Teeny, and Butter London Knackered.

One last thing, I forgot to mention another favorite luxury brand -- Deborah Lippmann! Seriously, if she's really into polish, getting a Butter or a DL will probably make her happier than getting the equivalent value in other brands, even if that doesn't make much sense.

Well, I'm quite new to this but I'll try :)

First off, are you sure your wife would like nail art? There may be a reason she doesn't use her nail polish?

Well, unfortunately there aren't many stores that sell stamping supplies. The best place for a lot of nail art stuff is Amazon.

If she's impatient/ always likes to be using her hands a fast dry top coat might be a good idea for her. Good ones are Seche Vite and Out the Door :)

Konad is the best brand to do with stamping about (as far as I know). Their stamper is the one to get. As for image plates- Konad ones are good but expensive. I would suggest getting a Cheeky or Bundle Monster pack. You can get so many different patterns I would suggest getting something like this or this, which has a variety of full nail images, individual stamps and french tip stamps. Also, if you do buy image plates etc. then I would suggest buying proper stamping polish, at least for black and white. Metallics work well for stamping too.

For nail art brushes, you can get them online but all of mine are actually acrylic art brushes. They tend to last well and you can buy them in store. Acrylic paints are really good for doing complex designs, over the top of a layer of normal nail polish. They're easier to mix, don't dry as fast and are cheaper than nail polish (if your wife would want to do art on her nails).

You can get dotting tools too, if you think those would be good?

I will say that some things are sold on Amazon from China, so the shipping times are quite large. They may not get to you in less than a month (depending on where you live).

Sorry if all of that was confusing or no help at all!

Nail stuff is pretty broad but I'll see if I can help!

Dotting tools, striping tapes, rhinestones, and nail art brushes are great for her age bracket (and they have the added bonus of being super cheap!!)!

For a higher level of difficulty check out nail stampers with "plates". Here is a tutorial to show what those actually do, tutorial.

You know your kid better than I do, but at her age I would have loved a dedicated space for my "beauty supplies". Would a desk with a nail station be a welcome gift? If you live near an IKEA, get something like this and these for polish storage, each box fits 50 polishes easy! I would also get a desk lamp and some mason jars or whatever to hold the tools that are too big for the box. Maybe even a vanity mirror for when makeup becomes a thing. To keep the desktop clean and easily manageable I would get some cheap plastic place mats from the dollar tree.

Polish-wise, Sinful Colors is a cheap brand of polish found in most drug stores, usually around $2 a bottle, but the colors are nice and go on well (I own about 20 of them and use them often). For a person her age I probably wouldn't get too many of the more expensive brands like Essie on up, just because preferences are fleeting at that age. Eventually, you could dive into the deep scary world of independent polish makers (where all the pretty colors are!!)

A dotting tool looks like a pencil with metal balls on the ends. You can buy dotting tool sets with varying tip sizes for different sized dots. I've never heard of a bad quality dotting tool, so brand is not important here.

She might be interested in a stamping kit, or if she already has one, more plates. Konad is the brand of choice, but their plates are expensive. Bundle Monster plates are more affordable, although their edges tend to be sharp. Check out wowsocool for Konad plates. If you do get her a stamping set, get the Konad Special Polish in black and white, at least. Not all polishes work with stamping, so it's hit and miss, but the Konad polishes are designed to work with stamping.

Finally, she might appreciate some special effects nail polishes, like magnetic nail polish. That is all the rage right now. Essie also has a new glitter polish range out (called Luxeffects), she might like a couple of those. If you're in the US, you can check out the nail polish collections at Sephora, they do little gift sets with a variety of polishes that are quite nice.

Hope she likes what you get her!

*Edited to add: Oh oh oh, Sally Hansen Salon Effects! Haha, I just thought about what I would like to get and I really love those strips. They're real nail polish strips that you stick onto your nails. They come in really cool designs. Love them. There is a limited edition Holiday collection out now with some lovely designs.

1. Our Easter tradition is that my mom always gets us some form of an Easter basket. I'm 21 now, so it isn't an actual basket anymore, like last year it was a tumbler cup filled with candy, but we always get something like that.
   
   
2. Fact: The term Easter was derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'Eostre,' the name of the goddess of spring.
   
   
3. This is along the lines of what I am planning. It is Easter themed, but it isn't screaming BUNNIES AND EGGS AND CHURCH. I am planning on doing one grass and egg themed nail though.
   
   
4. This is super pretty! It isn't exactly Easter themed, but it is really pretty and pastel and perfect for Easter.
   
   
5. My favorite candy of all is in stores! I love the white chocolate M&Ms. But strangely I only like white chocolate with those. I hate that they only have them at Target. I love pretty much all milk chocolate. Dark chocolate isn't my favorite. Fruity candy is great! Cream eggs are all that matters. Peeps are good too. I am the only one in my house that likes them! I eat their eyes first so they can't see me eating them. And if you don't eat the ears off of a bunny first, what are you doing.
   
   Thank you so much!!!!

Just start painting your nails and you will figure out what works best for you eventually. I've compiled a list of helpful links/videos that I've found helpful for me.

Dotting Tools:

• Cutepolish's video on how to make your own dotting tool.
  
• <$2 on amazon. It might take a while to get to you if it's being shipped from China though.
  
  Stripping tape:
  
  
• $1.08 on amazon.
  The trick when you use stripping tape is to make sure your polish isn't old and too goopy, otherwise it will not be so crisp.
  
• And use tweezers like this or this.
  
  Cleaning
  
  
• You will get the hang of cleaning once you start practicing. If you get better at application you will have to do less cleaning. This will come with practice. I suck at doing nails with little mess. So I use acetone and a slanted brush. This might be a good set to get.
  
• /u/ReneeJade 's post about cleaning up with toothpicks is very helpful too.
  
  Nail Polish Brands
  
  
• This depends on how much money you want to spend. I started with Sinful Colors because no mula. But the formula is kinda bad and takes forever to dry. And Sinful Colors stain your nails really bad in my experience. Sally Hansen is pretty good for the price. I only just acquired a couple of China Glazes and Essie's. They are pretty good but I only buy it when it's less than $3. I don't have experiences with Orly, O.P.I.
  
• Julep is okay in my opinion. Personally, I feel like they're not worth the price. One of my bottles just broke when I was turning the cap. And the other one (Julep Sasha) stained my nails really bad :/
  
• There are nail polish programs like Julep Maven (who do a free first box with code FREEBOX) and other ones that I don't know about but head onto /r/BeautyBoxes to find out more.
  
  Top Coat and Base Coat
  
  
• Orly bonder is a good base coat that I use. I don't have experiences with other ones, so I can't compare.
  
• Getting a fast drying top coat is probably a good idea. I use Seche Vite but it has a really strong smell and it shrinks your polish. I'm trying to find a new one but Sally Hansen Insta Dry didn't work for me. It smudged my nail art even though it dries pretty fast. Poshe is supposed to be good but I don't have experience with it.
  
  Nail Strengthening
  
  
• O.P.I. Nail envy is a lot of people's favorites but it didn't work for me personally. Just search this subreddit with "nail envy".
  
• Quimica Alemana. This stuff has good reviews and I want to try it.
  
  Nail file
  
  
• Use a crystal one. This one has good reviews or use an O.P.I. one. I use an O.P.I, pretty happy with it.
  
  Have fun painting!

I don't use any polishes branded specifically as "stamping polish" (though Mundo De Unas is great from what I hear, ships from Mexico and apparently has a smell to it, but if you're okay with that it's a good try).

As far as drugstore and more easily accessible nail polishes, stampers, and plates go:

-Try to use any "one coaters" you already have. Thick, opaque polishes are what you want. DONT try to waste your time with glitters, sheer colors, etc.


-I use Sinful Colors for my black & white stamping, Sally Hansen Insta Dry for most everything else. It's coined insta dry because they're one-coaters, which leads to overall less dry time, not because they actually dry quickly which gives you more time to work while stamping!

-This is my favorite stamper so far. It's squishy and VERY large. My first stamper was from Wistonia, found here, but it did distort my images more imo. It's not a bad choice for beginners though!

-Plate quality is SUPER important. You want to use reputable brands that will have deep, consistent etchings (99 cent plates should not be trusted; if they work, cool! but don't expect good results every time for sure)


-My favorite stamping plates are from MoYou London and It Girl Nail Art (being upfront, one of my best friends owns It Girl, but they're excellent quality so I'm including her for you to check out).


Come see us over at r/RandomActsOfPolish! We also have a giant stamping master thread written by one of the mods (she's the owner and friend I mentioned). Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions :)

Here's some suggestions of the things you asked for.

First, a shelf to put her polish and supplies on. I have this one from Amazon which I like a lot.
Some of my favorite brands of polish: Zoya, OPI, Sinful Colors, Essie.
I know several people get on Etsy and buy Indie polishes (polishes from independent businesses and manufacturers). I don't have any experience with those, but there's some great ones from what I've seen here.
If she enjoys nail art, a set of Nail Art Brushes and dotting tools would be a nice addition. Make sure in that group is a small, angled brush to do clean ups around the nail and cuticle. VERY important for a clean look.
A base coat and top coat is also important. Look for a quick drying top coat. I recommend Seche Vite. Just be sure to tell her to read the instructions/tips for using it. It's a bit different in some ways. :)
Also, some cuticle cream with moisturizers, cotton balls or pads, Q-Tips, and Acetone polish remover are also some things she'll need.
That should be a nice beginners basket for her. I'm sure you'll get other suggestions as well.

i've been desperately wanting opi nail envy ever since you wonderful people introduced me to it. my nails break so easily and are very difficult to grow so this stuff is almost a necessity for me haha. it's only $6.40 and there's free shipping!


i totally stalked you so i can do some bribery action and your hair now is GORGEOUS. i can only WISH my hair would look like that. mine is pin straight and thin with no volume:( and also, you have an adorable little bundle of joy. i was a full time live in nanny last year and it was the greatest experience. enjoy her while she's this young!!!

one last thing, please please please please please oh pretty please with sugar on top and a cherry and sprinkles and caramel and whipped cream please pick me?!? :) hehe, thanks for doing the giveaway/contest!

Please excuse the length, I love making lists.

Video Production

Green Screen

Bounce

Tripod

Books

Dining with Dr Who

Writing movies for fun and profit This is a great book. I have it, absolutely hysterical.

Writing

Ink quill

TARDIS Deluxe Journal

Travel

Street Signs

Flags

Eiffel Tower Chocolate Mold

Little Window Beach

17th century world map

Watercolor World Map

Universal world wide adapter plug

Hidden pocket wallet



Science!

Liquid Gold Plating Kit

Molecular Gastronomy Kit

This one also works for gardening:
Moons and Blooms lunar calender

Inflatable earth with glow in the dark cities

Galilea Moon Phase Calendar and Clock

Glow in the dark lunar calender!

Art

Sunprint Kit

Scrapper tool set

Fantasy!

LOTR inspired necklace

Another LOTR inspired necklace

Dragon necklace

Dragon JEwerly box

These/this are/is a book, but Mercedes Lackey is a FANTASTIC fantasy writer. I'd start with the Mage Winds trilogy or Mage Wars series.

Outdoors

Portal-able Speakers If you want to listen to relaxing music (or just music) while reading or chilling outside, this is the perfect speaker. It goes pretty loud, my bro has one, I steal if to make my showers musical.

Solar power LED Water proof color changing globes

Ball lanterns!


Math

Math clock

Mental Math

Pi ice cube shape tray

Mini Abacus pendant keychain

And it was delicious

Math jokes

Math/science ice cube tray


Rubik's Cube office thingy

Abacus-they have these in all colors and shapes and what have you.

Spirituality

Wasn't quite sure what you're looking for, but these things are pretty relaxing and some of them are used in meditation or for relaxation/de-stress so I figured I could put 'em here.

[LED mini waterfall)(http://www.amazon.com/Mirrored-Waterfall-Light-Show-Fountain/dp/B008Q3GH1O/ref=pd_sim_hpc_17)

Zen reflection bonzai tree with a little pond

Candle and water fountain

Five tier illuminated fountain

Other random fun things!

DR Who Projector clock

Sherlock season one Dunno but I feel you might like this show.

Giant Nail polish set


Nail art brushes

LED faucet water glow thing

Alright! I think I'll stop there before this becomes a novel xD

:) I'm blue daba de daba da Pika2

a. My user name is G0ATLY! It is in all caps because I was mad when I tried to make Goat and it was taken.

b. This blue text is a link to my item, please click here.

c. The item currently costs $0.31 with $0.73 shipping. The total is $1.04.

d. I just took a quiz and it suggested I was Ravenclaw.

e. My favorite pokemon is beedrill!

f. My favorite doctor is Dr. Fine from the Three Stooges. I honestly blanked out, and could only think of "Calling Dr. Fine, calling Dr. Fine."

g. I don't watch my little ponies, but I did watch the first episode! I would have to say I liked the shy one. :3 I had to look up her name again and it was Fluttershy!

h. I rarely watch much T.V, but when I do I enjoy Mythbusters, Pawn Stars, I Love Lucy and The Golden Girls. My absolutely favorite movies are Hook, Logan's Run, Beetle Juice and Space Balls.

i. Oryx and Crake followed by Viral nation are my favorite books.

j. I do not watch anime or manga very much. However, I use to enjoy Full Metal Alchemist and Hellsing.

k. I don't have a cellphone, but I do have a house phone. It is a Uniden, and dies every 10-20 minutes.

l. The goat is my favorite animal!

.....

z. I am doing quite wonderful today, how about yourself? Thank you for this lovely contest!

Thanks for hosting!

What's your favorite holiday? My fave holiday has to be Christmas!! Love the tree and lights and snow!!!

Who is your favorite holiday character? Christmas Snoopy from Peanuts! So cute :)

What is this food you look forward to having the most during the Christmas season? I am a sucker for all cookies during the holiday season! My favourites are almond shortbread

Show me a picture of an animal celebrating the holidays! So cute!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BLN17K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=XIHRIBLPQR2Y&coliid=I3GVU1BQ59YOER&psc=1
I could definitely use some brushes to create some holiday nail art!

1: I had a little girl around 5 at my daycare named Lily who was just smart as a whip, and for some reason she just loved me. Since she was another workers child she would always be there early, so we would color together or play with playdough while we waited for others to arrive, and I imagine that had something to do with it.

Anyway, she was friends with my niece, and ended up coming to her birthday party at a nature park. One of the activities was a scavenger hunt when the children were supposed to pick an adult and go for a walk in the woods to collect various naturey things. When it came time to pick she immediately calls out "I pick miss Michelle!" and her mother just gives her just the saddest look. Lilly looks at her mother and says in an incredibly grown up and calming tone "Now just because I didn't pick you doesn't mean I don't love you, I just don't get to see miss Michelle as much." her mother nods, seemingly placated, and we totally nail the scavenger hunt ;)

2: Zoya Godiva is so demure and elegant, but still has some nice sparkle to it, so it is never boring. I also really love the Zoya Intimate collection, especially Jules and Dove.

3: I've never had to dress business casual before, but one thing I do know is the air conditioning will probably be up way too high most of the year, so cardigans are probably a good bet!

4: Mod lacquer Satire, I'm addicted to corals and jellies. For a non indie I've been lusting after Sparking Garbage for months now.

Good luck on and congratulations on your new job!

Uhm, obviously whatever colors you'd like. China Glaze colors are my fav, and they are generally pretty cheap. Get a nice base coat (so the polish doesn't stain you nails) and a shiny top coat (to help prevent chipping). Seche Vite is an awesome fast dry top coat you can try..... Ahhhh, I cant think of anything else right now, but Im sure you'll figure it out with time. Everyone here is GREAT at answering questions and helping and giving great mani ideas!!! :) Enjoy!! You'll become addicted!!!

The stamper that you got with your kit may be a little softer, but it is not a "squishy." The small pink ones never are. I'm not familiar with the Emori polishes, so I can't comment on that except to say that very few polishes stamp effectively.

I would try:

• A stamper like this keeping in mind that squishy stampers sometimes need to be "primed" (like /u/The_Griffin mentioned) by buffing lightly with a fine grit file or buffer. I can't stress enough how much I think this is a major factor--even if you get better plates, you will still have a hard time with that konad stamper. If the price is too high, search "squishy nail stamper" on eBay and take any one of the knock-offs that specifically mention that they are made of silicone. If it does not work well right out of the box, it will need to be primed.
  
  
• A polish that is known to stamp well. Maybelline Color Show "Bold Gold" or any of the opaque cremes from the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri line work well. I've had success with Sinful Colors "Black on Black" as well. All of those are under $5/bottle.
  
  
• Even with working quickly, it takes some practice. If this is your second attempt, there's still a learning curve ahead. Don't give up! I would try varying your technique--scrape lightly on the plate, try rolling with your konad stamper (both plate and nail--it has no "give" so pushing down to get the image is difficult).
  
  When all is said and done, there is a chance that you just have some bad plates. Unfortunately, like most things, stamping falls at least somewhat under the "you get what you pay for" and the set you have is like $4.50 for ten. The very cheapest plates I have (in that size) are at least $1/plate. They may be using inferior materials or etching equipment. There are quite a few 1 star reviews of that set on the Amazon listing, many of them mention shallow etching.
  
  I like something like this for beginners. I have plates from this brand and know with certainty that they are good quality. In this case, the price is so low because this set was released in 2012 and the company is selling off old stock because they release plates 1-2 times per year. 26 plates for $12 is on-par with the set you ordered, but there's a very good chance this set will be much better.
  

I always feel really polished if my nails are done. I don't have the time or the money to go to a salon to have them done, or to constantly do touch ups, so this is my routine, that I will do Sunday night, and it lasts me with no chips through Friday for sure:

1. Remove polish and wipe down nails with rubbing alcohol (the alcohol can be skipped, but allegedly helps prime your nails).
   
2. Apply a base coat of this Gelous gel base polish. (You might find this cheaper at Sally Beauty.)
   
3. Apply 1 coat of color - any brand.
   
4. Apply a second coat of Gelous.
   
5. Apply a second coat of color.
   
6. Apply a 3rd coat of Gelous.
   
7. Apply this fast drying top coat from Seche Vite.
   
   I occasionally skip the second coat of Gelous and it still seems to turn out fine. The seche vite top coat is honestly super fast drying and it leaves the most amazing shine on my nails, which just puts them over the top. People always comment on how great my nails look.
   
   One last tip for helping your manicure last: wear gloves when washing dishes or handling cleaners. This really helps my nails not chip!
   
   Other things that make me feel put together: a pair of stud earrings, a blazer, COFFEE.

Awesome! Depending on your budget, I'd look into indie polishes for her - there are a ton of different brands on Etsy and their own sites, and they tend to have more unique polishes than the mainstream brands. For example, KBShimmer is a popular indie with lots of fun color combinations and consistently good polishes. They generally ship very quickly, too.

As far as nail art goes, I know there are some books out there, but I've never owned one, so I can't point you in a direction for that. However, some basic tools are useful if she doesn't have them - such as dotting tools or nail art brushes. There are a ton of different sellers on Amazon for these; most of them are coming from China or Hong Kong and will take a month to get to the US, but if you dig through the alternate sellers, you can usually find a US seller or two.

Some nail decorations such as studs or rhinestones could be fun, too. Same China/Hong Kong shipping warning for these, too.

Otherwise, maybe stamping would be something she'd be interested in. Stamping is the process of painting nail polish on an engraved plate, scraping off the excess, and then picking it up off of the plate and applying it to the nail with a rubber stamper. This is a popular starting stamper, and there are a TON of plates out there, and they can vary in quality. This is the set that I started off with, and I've been pleased with them. There's a brand called "Moyou London" that's very high quality and creative plates, but they also cost more, of course - they can be found on Amazon and on their own site. There are some special "stamping" polishes out there, but any thick polish will work well - the brand Sally Hansen Insta Dri (available in basically any drugstore/Walmart/Target/etc) are often recommended.

1. Something grey

2. Thunderstorm MP3

3. Take your pick just scroll down

4. For my baby because I want a cool ass baby haha! Also, daddy will like it!

5. The Hater trilogy, linked is the first of the 3. This book keeps you on your toes. It's an amazing apocalyptic book that has immense imagery. All I can say is read it.

6. Nail tape, it's not nail polish, just decoration.

7. Cats! There is a cat in the design.

8. So pretty!!

9. Because it'll always put a smile on your face!

10. Survival Backpack Has enough items to help a group of 4 survive for 72 hours. This will give the people with the pack a 72 hour head start from everyone else to establish a safe spot. Everyone else is trying to find essentials now getting stuck and eventually taken over by a hoard, whereas the person with the pack doesn't need to waste time getting food, water, and some medical kit.

11. Cookware My boyfriend and I have been living with his parents for a while now and we are getting our own apartment soon (all utilities included, yay!!). His parents decided not to pay the gas company the $500 deposit to have it turned on because we live in the south and don't need to heat our apartment, we would only use gas for cooking. Because of that I haven't had a meal cooked on/in a stove in about a year. We either eat things fresh, microwaved, in a crock pot, or fried. I am sick and fucking tired of it. With the cookware I'll be able to change my eating habits because I won't be limited to what things I can cook with. Also, when I was a little girl, I never ate at a kitchen table because we didn't have one. We would eat meals separately, and I always longed for the family dinner atmosphere. My goal is to have a family dinner at least 3 times a week. I know the cookware won't help me achieve that goal, but it puts me one step closer.

12. Baby mittens

13. Soda Stream It's the 2nd most expensive item, the survival pack above is, but the Soda Stream is my dream item. My ex roommate had one and it's amazing! Also, I'm pregnant and can't have caffeine, but I love the bubbles so much!!! With the Soda Stream, I'll be able to make anything carbonated!!! I LOVE mixing in the Crystal Light powered packets, yummy!!

14. Cute storage cube

15. Owl Necklace

16. Chocolate

17. Beautiful Katmari

18. Pens

19. I'm obsessed with my unborn baby. But then again, aren't most expecting mothers??

20. Instant smoke ring machine! Does the awesomeness of instant smoke rings need to be described!?!

Made in Oregon

Thanks for the contest, this was fun!!

fear cuts deeper than swords

Oh! I've been drooling over that color forever. Good choice! ;) Are you a big red fan?

If you have patience, Amazon is seriously a steal for building an arsenal! And if the answer to the patience question is yes... may I suggest...

• Guides for basic designs!
  
  
• If you want to organize your collection! These are super helpful when it starts growing and you want to be able to catalogue and match colors for manis. :)
  
  
  
• Striping tape, for all the lines!
  
  
  
• In case you want to up your cuticle care game :) or maybe this set instead?!
  
  
  
• Dotting tools are you best friend! And if you're into cleaning up your nails, this is a fantastic bundle!
  
  
  
• Gotta keep the nails healthy! and a different option if you'd like
  
  
  
  
• Makes removal so much faster!
  
  
  
  
• A trusty quick dry top coat
  
  
  
• Pair your top with a trust bottom coat!
  
  
  
• Maybe you want to try your hand at nail art?
  
  
  
  That's what I've got for now... Hmm.. What did I miss?

This is the lamp that I got. I highly recommend it, not only because it works really well, but because the shape of it makes it so you can paint your nails on top of it. Which makes a much bigger difference than I would have thought. It has motion sensor, so you can just stick your hand in to turn it on. Being able to stick your hand in makes it easy to flash cure (not as big of a deal for polish, but I use hard gel).

SUNUV SUN2C 48W LED UV nail Lamp with 4 Timer Setting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0BCN9B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LtLQBbS1H6PNS

Gelish is a great brand.

The other set you got, I've not tried the brand but it's a great price. Just be prepared for the colors you see on your screen to be different in real life. The quality probably won't be as good as gelish, either.

My personal advice is to skip the cluvaz gels and just get the gelish sets for now. Gel Manis last so long, you've got months worth of Manis just with the gelish sets. My experience is that the lower quality products end up being a waste of money because I never use them when I have better options available. Especially because these will be on your nails for 2-3 weeks. But you do you. Some people love having a huge collection.

Creative Fantasy is $4.58, Sunday Funday is $4.68, Surreal Appeal is $5, and Whirled Away is $5.12.

Now for why I think these are awesome. Creative Fantasy is an amazing purple. And I looooooooove anything and everything purple. It's kinda neon, but not quite, which is perfect for me and my love hate relationship with neons haha. Sunday Funday is an amazing looking blue. I hate blue polish, but I still want this! It's so bright! I mostly want Surreal Appeal because I have a grand total of 0 corals. I have like 2 pinks and a neon orange so I can't even make my own coral if I wanted to. I want to try Whirled Away because I have never tried a bar glitter before, and I know some people love them but others hate them. I also only have silver glitter polishes so this would be a nice change :)

Kurt Vonnegut. Everything he's written is so so good. I started with "Slaughterhouse Five" which is phenomenal, and read a lot of his other novels, but his short stories are my favorite. Namely the collection in "A Man Without A Country." I love his ability to criticize society and government through example rather than direct rant. I also like his use of sci-fi to make connections to the bigger picture of his ideas and arguments. His style is straightforward, but he's able to set the scene perfectly without you being like "come on, I don't care what color the curtains are, get on with it" which I find in so many other books. He gets to the point, but you enjoy the ride there. The way he pulls in humor and gets you to think critically about life is unmatched to this day, in my opinion. Whomever owns the rights to his stuff recently released (posthumously) a collection of letters he wrote and they are just brilliant.

So my favorite author is Kurt Vonnegut and my favorite book is "A Man Without A Country"

Other favorite authors are Sloane Crosley (hilarious!), Oscar Wilde (withstands the test of time beautifully), Veronica Roth (I'm reading the Divergent series right now and loving it), Jenny Lawson (also hilarious!), David Sedaris (so funny and charming), and Jim Derogatis (one of my favorite music journalists/writers).

Here's my item

Neil!

I see you have a kitchen list and a baby list so here are two ideas:

Small veggie shape cutters for making fun finger foods and cute veggie soup. Free shiping.

Banana Slicer. I know it seems like a silly thing, but my eldest loves bananas but likes them sliced and this would be a time saver for sure. PRIME

For me, if I win:

Love this grey nail polish, only $4.90 with free shipping. Somehow grey feels a bit more grown up then pure black? I don't know, I covet it.

EDITED TO ADD: Doodlebug

But the pampering part is the easiest and most important! Maybe the massage isn't, but the nail treatments are key!

Learn to file nails properly:
Always file in the same direction!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RrfWakB-lI

Learn good cuticle care:
Use cuticle remover once in a while for a good clean up, but don't use it daily. NEVER cut the cuticles. Use cuticle remover and a PLASTIC tool to scrape nails (depending on the nail strength, metal scrapers can damage the nail) I use a makeup sponge to rub backwards from my nail after cleaning up my cuticles. To maintain, push your cuticles back frequently. I do this in the shower after the water has softened my skin a bit.
http://www.amazon.com/essie-Nail-Care-disappearing-cuticle/dp/B004FKCHHU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Use a good nail treatment polish as a base coat:
Most lacqueristas will swear by OPI Nail Envy.
http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Nail-Envy-Original-Ounce/dp/B00178TVXG/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1415653359&sr=1-1&keywords=opi+nail+envy

Get some good hand and nail lotion:
This is where you can pamper her with a nice hand massage, if you're willing to go the extra mile.
http://www.sephora.com/h-nail-cream-P152203

Her nails will be looking so fabulous before you even hit them with the color!

This is a photo I found on the laqueristas sub, but I am SOOOOOO in love with the galaxy nails that have been showing up lately. I'm verrry close to being able to do my own! I just need some better glitter polishes! This is a nail polish from amazon. And you're lovely awesome contests make me wish I could Eskimo kiss you! flutters eyelashes at Lunar3 hehehe <3 Thank you!!!

I actually love giving manicures to friends and family. My mom once brought me to her patient's house to paint the nails of 3 little girls. Cutest thing ever!

As for tips, some of it is really product quality/chemistry. I recommend two specific products: Orly Bonder as a base coat and Seche Vite as a topcoat.

The base coat prevents your nails from staining, and this one is rubberized (it feels sticky if you touch it), so polish adheres really well. This top coat dries your nails in about 60 seconds. I am an idiot and always have to pee right after I finish my nails. I can actually do that with SV. This combo has been able to make almost every nail polish I use last as long as I want it to last (for me, up to 7 days, but usually closer to 4).

To prevent chipping, it's important to use as few thin layers as possible. Thicker polish chips easier. The best polishes are ones that are heavily pigmented, but thin. I could probably suggest several based on your favorite colors. But my favorite brand is probably China Glaze. Oh! Also to prevent chipping and peeling, don't flood the cuticles. I leave a small amount of space as a border on my nail. You can see it pretty well here, especially on the thumb. I do this either by being sparing with my application or taking a paintbrush dipped in acetone and cleaning up the edges when I'm finished. It thins out the sides, making the polish less able to peel up from the edges.

I recommend the Winstonia stamping kit. It comes with 20 plates and it's ON SALE RIGHT NOW! :O For less than $15. The only complaint I have about this kit is that the full nail stamps are too small to fully cover my thumb nail.

I agree with the other laqueristas who have posted that the Konad stamper is the way to go. As far as scrapers go, I've found that using an old credit card or gift card is best. If you get a stamper/scraper kit that comes with a scraper, that's great, but I still think that the plastic cards do a better job. I've also heard good things about the white double sided Winstonia large-sized stamper, but have yet to try it myself.

Be sure to look up stamping polishes before you try stamping. Most nail polishes won't work well with the stamping kit. I would recommend getting Wet n Wild "Black Creme" and Wet n Wild "French White Creme" to start off. They are much cheaper and easier to find than the black and white Konad polishes, and work almost as well. For colors other than black and white, I'd recommend googling generic brand polishes that are good for stamping. There are a lot of blogs that have lists of polishes that work well for this technique.

I've been using this lamp (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0BCN9B) for almost a year now and absolutely love it.

For the polygel, I went with this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9CBVZ) because it had excellent reviews and it was great to have everything I needed to do my nails, except slip solution and dehydrator. I used alcohol (100%) as slip and I had my own dehydrator.

I just bought this kit (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RY99LXY/) to try next as it was a bit cheaper and I wanted to see if it's easier to work with the slip solution or not (kit comes with everything).

Happy to answer any questions you may have if it helps you save some time and not make the mistakes I made as a first timer. I'm still happy as heck with the results and can't stop staring at my nails. Lol

Ohmygosh, I think you might be talking about my nails!

I really like the glitter base you chose, as well as taking the extra time to make the hearts 3D (darker polish color for shadow + outlining them in black + white accents). The lettering could use a little work, but practice makes perfect! I'd recommend investing in some smaller detail brushes like these because they will make it A LOT easier. But seriously, your nails look amazing! It's especially impressive you did both hands. Great job!

My favorite movie is Clue! If you haven't seen it, definitely check it out! It's on instant streaming for Netflix.

If I am luckily enough to win, I would use it for myself and share with one of my friends. We tend to like different things so there's bound to be items that each of us likes and can split it accordingly!

This top coat is less than $5!

Thank you for this awesome contest! Ill have to check out your nail polish one as well! Sprout

Edit: apparently I already saw your nail polish contest and left a comment there! Thanks again for these super great contests you're holding! :)

Well, you can start by taking a Biotin supplement or prenatal vitamins. Those will help speed up the growth of your natural nails. You'll also want to get a strengthening polish of some sort. OPI Nail Envy is popular, but I'm not sure what's available where you live. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Hand cream as often as possible. Apply cuticle oil at least once or twice a day. There are tons out there. File your nails gently, and if they're not too sensitive, buff the surface to even it out. Don't over buff it. It shouldn't hurt. After your nail surfaces are stronger and less sensitive, you might want to get a cuticle remover gel and some orange wood sticks. Apply the cuticle remover, let it sit for a minute, and then use the orange wood to gently push back any of the stuff growing up your nails. Wash your hands after using the cuticle remover, if left on too long it could burn your skin. Moisturize.

I linked some products on amazon. Just because I linked specific products doesn't mean that's what you have to use. It might take a little while to figure out the routine that works best for you, but you can do it.

I really like the Madam Glam gels.

https://www.madamglam.com

They last on your nails forever. I always wait till they're on sale and never pay more than $10 a bottle. The one step gels are awesome, too. Their formula is nice because it's thick enough to control well so you're less likely to flood your cuticles but thin enough to flow and self level nicely.

For brands you can buy on Amazon, Aimeili and Elite99 are both pretty good too. Aimeili has excellent pigmentation and requires fewer coats.

Be sure to get a good curing lamp with a wide spectrum. Then you don't have to buy a brand specific one. I have this one and have never had a brand it didn't cure correctly. $40 is a steal for one with a wide spectrum.

SUNUV SUN2C 48W LED UV nail Lamp with 4 Timer Setting, Sensor For Gel Nails and Toe Nail Curing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0BCN9B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3jLyCbPZBWTQ2

HAVE FUN!

This is a good guide! I find that leaving a small gap between my polish and my cuticle area looks much better than accidentally getting polish all over my cuticles from trying to paint too closely.

Also, if you do get any polish on your skin, you can immediately take a nail brush dipped in acetone and clean up the polish. It's easier while it's still wet in my opinion. (Though, when you're completely done painting, you can also go back and touch up anything you've missed!)

A quick drying top coat is also a must! Seche Vite makes a good one, as well as Superchic Lacquer. EDIT: These particular top coats are formulated to go over nail polish that is still wet, so it's a big plus that you don't have to wait for your color to dry before adding your top coat. As soon as you finish painting color on your last nail, you can go back to your first nail and start applying top coat until you get to your last nail again (if that makes sense).

Lastly, practice practice practice! :)
Put on Netflix or Hulu and relax and have fun with it! Good luck!

"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

1. My favorite polish currently is Emily de Molly Oceanic Forces. It is gorgeous!
   
   
2. I am half Korean
   
   
3. Pink is my favorite color :)
   
   
4. Favorite book series is a tie between the Song of Ice and Fire and Journey to the West
   
   
5. My favorite TV shows are Criminal Minds and Game of Thrones
   
   
6. Favorite animes are Sailor Moon and Saiunkoku Monogatari
   
   
7. My favorite video game series are the Tales games.
   
   
8. I am in college for criminal justice, specializing in forensics. Ideally I would like to work as an internet officer for child protection.
   
   
9. I have 2 boys, who are going to be 4 and 2 on September 12th & 16th. They are 1 pound apart in weight.
   
   
10. My favorite foods are any Korean BBQ and snow crab.
    
    Creative Fantasy by Chinaglaze is something that I would like from my WL! :D Thanks for holding this

don't worry be happy

I love you. <3

[This scarf] (http://www.amazon.com/WorldPrideInc-Fashion-Leopard-Pattern-Shawl/dp/B007G5DU3G/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3PIOYPNJLKXMD&coliid=I3QED8232G384J) is 3.80 with free shipping! I love it so much. I feel like anybody would love it. <3

I don't know if you like Nail art but I do! [This] (http://www.amazon.com/MASH-Rhinestones-Nailart-Manicure-Wheels/dp/B005BF1M10/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2TW8KRNAN1IEA&coliid=I27Y7MZBPFOO66) wheel of stones is really diverse and less than $2 with free shipping!

Also, I'm really close to completing my acrylic nail collection to be able to do my acrylics at home! [These tips] (http://www.amazon.com/White-Acrylic-French-Style-Artificial/dp/B008TNQ19E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2TW8KRNAN1IEA&coliid=I1T6NJYKXKCAO8) are $3.39 with free shipping, so if I had to pick what I wanted, this would be it.

Thank you so much for the contest! <3 you're awesome!

Hello! First of all, welcome. We have another wonderful trans girl, /u/Sweet_Baby_Ashley, hopefully you two can connect and become friends!
I have a few suggestions for you. First of all, practise makes perfect! So with things like brushing off the excess on the inside of the bottle, you just need to keep working in it. Some polishes are goopier or don't work well - make sure you aren't buying the cheapest stuff you can find, because formula might be a big part of your problem!

This might also be why you are having issues with it drying between coats. Although, I will say, there is a certain pressure - or lack of- that has to be used to apply polish back over pre-applied layers. I still have issues with it catching sometimes and I have a nail blog, so once again, practice!

Fast drying top coat. Without my seche vite, I would be lost! Out the door works well also, but there are a bunch on the market to choose from. If you do use something like seche, "wrapping the tips" will help with tip wear and shrinking. That just means applying the top coat to the tips of your nails as well as the top.

Here is a video I found on how to apply- but if you look on youtube there are hundreds of tutorials, so don't feel bad! People do need help learning. I got my cosmetology license a few years ago, so that's when I learned.

I hope this helped even a little. Looking forward to seeing you around!

I do! I have medium to long length nails and even though some people say gel weakens them, I actually find that they make my nails stronger. I have pretty healthy nails to begin with, though. I use my hands heavily for work (constantly brushing up against metal, cutting things and operating machinery) and gel is a godsend.

I am also super frugal though so I do them myself. It's very easy and it doesn't take that long after you get the hang of it. I usually put on a tv show or movie while I do it, it's very relaxing.

I've tried out a few different lamps but so far my favorite has been this one (I prefer LED):

https://www.amazon.com/MelodySusie-12W-LED-Nail-Dryer/dp/B00AXSQCGK/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1497569940&sr=8-1&keywords=melodysusie+gel+lamp

I have had great luck with this brand of polish (they make a glitter red that is ammmmaaazing – I had a trainer at the gym stop me when I was lifting to tell me my nails were the best he'd ever seen haha):

https://www.amazon.com/AIMEILI-Soak-Off-Nail-Polish/dp/B00PF9Q5EG/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1497569972&sr=1-4&keywords=gel+nail+polish

And I use these clippy things to remove the polish when I'm ready to change it. No tin foil for me!

https://www.amazon.com/HIGHROCK-Acrylic-Remover-Cleaner-Superior/dp/B00OWZ0TVE/ref=sr_1_28_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1497569972&sr=1-28&keywords=gel+nail+polish

(I just happened to be reordering some polish today so I had some of these links open already :p )

Twinsies! :D (I just noticed you also live in Florida. Hi neighbor!)

I totally want this sign. My name is Jac and my SO is Daniel... I like Jack Daniels, but I really love the name. I need more decor, and that would amuse me.

This would be awesome because I'd have a shitton of top coat. I trust your judgement, though, I'd be fine with a surprise.

I just started recently. I recommend looking at tons of videos on YouTube. They do reviews of stamping sets, step by step instructions on how to stamp, which polishes work for stamping, and which brands provide better results.

Since I'm just getting started I got this stamper set and this plate set and so far I'm really happy with them both. I did take the advice of many YouTubers and use an old gift card as a scraper instead of the one provided in the set since it was scratching my plates.

Dunno what else to say without getting too specific and writing a novel but honestly, stamping is so much fun and pretty easy to do. It's a fun way to take your nails to the next level.

Good luck!

Edit: Forgot to mention that if you have crazy long or wider nails that you might want to look into alternative stampers and plates since Konad and Mash (the brands I linked to, respectively) are more designed for normal/slightly long length nails.

Welcome! And yes, you belong here <3

I love the two manis you did, they are really pretty.

As for good times to have... Bonder is a great base coat. Seche Vite is a great fast drying top coat. Looks like you have brushes, dotting tools and tape already on your list. Other than that just add a few polishes from every color of the rainbow to get an idea of what you like and go from there!

I think [these] (http://www.amazon.com/MASH-Rhinestones-Nailart-Manicure-Wheels/dp/B005BF1M10/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=QQEPMN5YQAW1&coliid=I1ZTPKE1YG4W6R) would add some serios bling to my manis-> making them FABULOUS! LOL. It's $1.52 with shipping. Maybe then you could polish 2 people.

But if I had to pick a polish it would be [Flip Flop Fantasy] (http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Poolside-FANTASY-Lacquer/dp/B0085YK77O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=QQEPMN5YQAW1&coliid=IZ5DBG7I8Z9LJ) I saw it at Sallys- should have just gone for it then- but I was there for Turned Up Turquoise - Which I love! I think it would be a great summer color & I swim a lot so I gotta have my toesies looking fancy!

Thanks for a fun, flash contest!

Hope your day at work is going well. It is the beginning of vacation season so we have a few people out and it's craziness.

Thanks for wanting me to participate /u/ACosmicOlive and /u/Bunnynose7. Luff ya both. <3

I think my fall colors are going to be burgundy/deep berries, gold, and grey.

The berry lipstick is the NYX Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen. I plan on wearing lipsticks like that through out the fall.This will be my first year rocking dark colors because I was super uncomfortable with them before. I'm excited!


If I win I would love this highlighter. I don't own anything for highlighting and have heard great things about this one.


Thanks for hosting Angst! Happy Birthday! :) I tag /u/Norimw and /u/13Emily13 to participate if they want. <3

Ahhh! Stupid fingernails. One thing I’d recommend is biotin supplements and this awesome top coat nail strengthener polish

OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener, Original, 0.5 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00178TVXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qaZJAbE4Q03QX

They work well but still wasn’t enough for me. The sns was the only way to have nails again 😸

I’m glad to know I’m not alone. I’ve always sorta felt like the 1 year mark is when most people go from androgynous to feminine in all the timelines I’ve seen. So I’ll keep our fingers crossed that the next year treats us better than the first 💕

• Etsy registry | Llarowe wishlist
  
• My collection
  
• Pinterest nail board
  
• Favorite colors: blues, greens, greys and orange/corals. Brand wise, I love Zoya, China Glaze and Essie. I dislike NYC, ELF and Julep.
  
• My BIGGEST lemming is Sation Holiday Golightly. I also really want any Hare or Happy Hands polishes on my wishlist, and any OPI Texas jellies that I don't already own.
  
• My favorite polish trend is circle glitter and matte glitter. I hate crackles, rhinestones, FIMO slices, bar glitter or shaped glitter (like stars or hearts). I like the idea of the sparkly Liquid Sand/PixieDust type polishes, but dislike the China Glaze or Barry M styles. Holos are wonderful. I typically prefer shimmers or cremes over glitter bombs, but if it's on my wishlist, I'd love to get it on my nails!
  
• I don't have a stamper, but I love these Winstonia plates and am considering starting to stamp just to use them.
  
• Chocolate or candies?. Some of my favorites are Fast Breaks, Take 5's, sour watermelons, cherry sours, coke bottle gummies and Razzles. But pretty much if it's a gummy or something chocolate, I'm happy! (Note: White chocolate is not chocolate and no one can convince me otherwise.)
  
• No allergies! I abhor the taste of Fruit Punch, though. It's like everyone took the worst parts of every fruit flavor and mushed them all together. Yuck.
  
• Some of my favorite movies are Almost Famous, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Moonrise Kingdom, Royal Tenenbaums and 500 Days of Summer. My favorite TV shows are Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, Psych, Breaking Bad, Gossip Girl (don't judge me!) and Weeds.
  
• Two labs! Jake, who's a big black bear of a dog, and Tripp, who's a much wimpier lab-husky mix.

This is absolutely amazing, I love it. Very handy for carrying in your purse. You could also add some flakies as a nice surprise, such as Essie's Shine of The Times if she doesn't have it already. A very popular cuticle cream is Lush's Lemony Flutter, however if you don't want to spend that much Burt's Bee's also makes a popular cuticle cream as well. OPI's Nail Envy is also pretty popular. :)

Awww, this is so sweet! Nail art doesn't have to be expensive at all, the salon I go to uses a lot of toothpicks and tiny brushes for most of their fancy stuff. The problem is with actually DOING the art. It takes a super steady hand and some serious talent. I'm awful at it which is why I have them done instead. Have you considered getting her a gift card to a salon? If you go that route, make sure to show them some pictures of what you have in mind and ask if they can do it. If they're legit they'll have some pictures or samples to show you.


As far as kits go, $20 on amazon should be just fine. I would recommend getting one with the little bottles, because the little bottles come with little brushes (which is essential for doing art). Maybe some extra tiny brushes for detail. Also dotting pens are a fancy and durable alternative to toothpicks. If she's into bling, nail jewels are cool and fancy as fuck. Lastly (and very important), invest in some serious base coat and top coat. There's nothing worse than spending an hour getting your nails did just to have them chip an hour later. OPI is top shelf.


Here are some links to help get you started. Hope this helps, good luck!


SHANY Nail Art Set (24 Famouse Colors Nail Art Polish, Nail Art Decoration) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005X2F7KI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_8gaEub1TK3HVR



DragonPad 5pcs 2-ways Acrylic Uv Gel Nail Art Design Tips Dotting Painting Brush Pen Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Y6F4WO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_AtaEub111WR7A



Nail Art Brushes- Professional Nail Art Brushes- Sable Nail Art Brush Pen, Detailer, Liner **Set of 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007BLN17K/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_IyaEub19FMKQ2


1200pcs New Nail Art Rhinestones Glitters Acrylic Tips Decoration Manicure Wheel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RS4LO8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_1AaEub1NFX4D9



OPI Natural Nail Base Coat & Top Coat COMBO FULL SIZE .5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B3YC9M/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_PBaEub19KD7J8

Stamping does seem to be the thing lately. I have this stamper set from bundlemonster. The white one works okay for me, but I did order the Winstonia stamper the other day to try. I have mostly bundlemonster plates (the 2013 & 2014 CYO collections) and 3 MoYou which I've used with good results.

I keep this post from Copycat Claws bookmarked. She compares a bunch of drug store and stamping polishes by color so it's easy to see the differences. I've purchased several colors based on this post alone.

My current favorite for stamping is Cult Cosmetics. They are super opaque and I love the colors. DTLA, Melrose Place, and Paradise Cove see the most action. I've ordered a handful of MDU's but it will be April before I see them, most likely.

Nail Tape, 1.39, free shipping!

Other thing, your choice for spending money I've been saving to get a phone so I can get on an affordable plan.

If I'm picked, split the cost down to half (30 bucks) and pick another winner. I'd rather the love spread around a little more, ya know?

Thank you for the opportunity and take care! Happy First Contest! :)

Man I suck so bad at deciding what I want too..I always just tell people they don't need to get me anything or if they're insistent I ask for a gift card.









































Alright..lemme put on my thinking cap..












I guess my first suggestion is obligated to be this CD because of the title..




























Or there's this stinkin' freakin' cute Rilakkuma backpack/bag






















If you like cats on socks there's these cute friendly kitties or if you like cats and socks but aren't happy there are these cats flipping the bird on socks









If you'd rather drown your birthday in alcohol than cute things there are these nice stemless wine glasses






























If you'd rather watch movies on your birthday Howls moving castle is always a good choice

















Or if you're a makeup person there's this nice set of matte lip color.



















If you're more of a nail person you could get this stamper and kitty cat design nail plate together to have some crazy cute kitty nails!































I may suck at picking things for myself, but I can suggest things all day for others :p

























^^even ^^if ^^I ^^may ^^or ^^may ^^not ^^be ^^bad ^^at ^^that ^^too.






































Either way I hope you and /u/LadyAmpersand have amazing birthdays! Having a birthday twin is always fun c:

someone (who I've already forgotten, sorry!!!) JUST posted this which I imagine would get her off to a good start, if she doesn't already have a zillion randoms around. Sephora by OPI might also still be on sale and super cheap. They have colors/strips/and remover I think? Otherwise just amazon around, you can get striping tape for practically nothing, and rhinestones and fimo canes, oh my! That sound get her started.

I buy cheap polish for like accent colors, because I will probably almost never paint all my nails...yellow for instance. Otherwise I like Essie and OPI the best. You also may want to look into some of those clear plastic drawers for storage as well. Hope it helps!

Of course !!
First you will a stamper !!

Some stampers are sticky or non sticky. They both work, just depends on your preference.
Like this

Stamper

Or like this

Squishyone.

I use old gift cards to scrap the nail polish off my plates. Watch a YouTube video to see how they do it. The trick is not to do it too hard !

Many plates work great but these are my favorite and easiest to work with
Pueen encore set

I also like moyou London plates, and born pretty ! They work great

As far as nail polish goes you can't stamp glitter!

I use sinful colors to stamp on top of my mani. Black/white stand out the most !
Just have fun stamping and don't give up. It's all trial and error !

Traveling for work has its ups and downs. I teach veterinary practice management software, so I spend every week in a different animal hospital. It's hard being away from my family so much, but it works out because I get weeks off at a time whenever there are holidays mid-week. It's also nice to get to see so much of the US and meet new people every week.

I would totally recommend the Winstonia plates. Also their big squishy XL silicon stamper is pretty nice, and it has a hard pink end for smaller designs that I read is like the Konad one. It did take me several sessions of trying before I had any success, but I think that's probably just the normal learning curve.

I am a makeup lover, I only own about three shades of polish but would love to have more! Check out my wl I have both makeup & nail polish items. I have been wanting this polish so I can do riddler inspired nails.


You're amazing thank you for this contest & welcome to the sub.

Okay so there's lots of places you can get things, but with some of amazon you might not get things in time so keep your eyes peeled, I'm linking random ones for you. It'd be easier to build your own basket instead of trying to find one. What I would suggest is:

-dotting tools like this

-brushes for art/cleanup like this

-clear stamper/scraper like this

-some stamping plates like this

-liquid latex (so her fingers don't get messy when doing different nail art styles) like this

-makeup sponges (those triangles, for gradients) like this

-striping tape like this

-good base coat (people really like nail envy by OPI and ORLY bonder) OPI ORLY

-good top coat (Seche vite is great) like this


I didn't pay much attention to the prices but a lot of those tools can be purchased fairly cheap, the most expensive things are the polishes and some stamping plates (some are very cheap and can be not so good, some are more expensive but are more likely to work well)

If you need more help let me know!

Hello!

1. Zoya is my favorite brand, ever. They're pricier than OPI (at least most of the time), but they run really good deals a few times a year, and they're super high quality. My two runner ups are China Glaze and OPI.
   
2. I have somewhat crappy nails (recovering nail biter), but I suggest using Nail Envy for a while as a strengthener. Invest in a glass nail file; it prevents peeling and all that craziness that emery boards and the like bring. I personally take biotin tablets (but your mileage may vary with those, as with all supplements). Oh, and one last thing -- moisturizing your cuticles helps promote healthy and strong nails!

I think this is a great idea! C'mon spring!

• Ok, not mine, and unfortunately I couldn't find the owner's original site, but fortunately she watermarked her photo! I LOVE this Peeps inspired bunny mani.
  
• Mainstream #1: Zoya Haven
  
• Mainstream #2: China Glaze Re-fresh Mint
  
• Mainstream#3: ORLY Sparkling Garbage
  
• And last, but not least, Glam Polish Enchanted! Even looking at it now makes my heart do little flutters.

She could be named after Vasco Nunez de Balboa, but be called Balboa. :) I think it's fun to say. Balboa has other connections with lots of locations (esp. along the West Coast of the US, and I think a place in Panama too) and of course there's Rocky Balboa too!

Item: I've been meaning to try this

Raffle word: Kitty!

Thanks for sharing the kitten picture with us! :) I want to see Phileas too now! Thank you for hosting.

Probably my biggest "hobby" (more like addiction) is painting my nails. I haven't quite gotten into the nail art thing but I absolutely looooove painting my nails. That's probably why my wish list is actually my polish wish list - it's the only thing I want <3

However, one of my biggest problems with my nails is that they are WEAK. They break really easily and have a hard time growing long at all. Because of this, my nails are perpetually short, which makes painting my nails harder for two reasons: a) Nail polish all over my skin and b) A lot of the colors I would like to wear just don't look as good on short nails.

Anyways. What would help me to have more flexibility with what I paint my nails (as I always shy away from my darker colors or bright colors that make my nails/hands look bad) is if I could grow them longer, which I could do if I had Nail Envy, a product many people swear by in order to help their nails grow long and strong. I've been dying to try it for a while now because I feel like it would make life so much easier!

Happy Birthday! :) Hope it was great, and thanks for this gauntlet!

Seche Vite top coats were recently removed out of the CVS I live closest to :/ $4.84 :)

And for the song, if you like Kpop, Apink just released a new song: [Nonono.] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3XJQtJWKJM) It's super cute!

I apologize for not linking in the first place! I got it on Amazon from this seller though it appears to be about $18 now, including shipping. Still, that is about $2/bottle! Great deal! But check around Amazon, you might find a better price. Definitely worth it!

I also got a bottle of Seche Restore for about $8 for when this gets thick. I actually use Restore on all of my polishes when they get thick. It's great! Here is a link to that :)

A pretty decent brush kit is definitely necessary to do a lot of art. I have this one and I really like it. You will also need some dotting tools that will help you create perfect dots. Some striping tape is really handy too. You might also want a stamping kit. Konad has a great one and you can buy it on Amazon.

Have fun!

I bit my nails for the better part of 20 years before I finally stopped about 2 years ago.

1. Carry a file. If one chips/breaks or it has a rough spot, just file it away. One of my main biting triggers was if I could feel my nail catching on something.
   
   
2. Take biotin. I got a huge bottle of it for about $10.
   
   
3. A clear coat, or some kind of nail strengthener. I use OPI Nail Envy. It's 2 coats, then 1 coat every other day, take it off on day 6, repeat. It took about 2 weeks before I really noticed a difference.
   
   
4. Chew gum. It was easier not to bite when I was already chewing on something.
   
   Best of luck! It's a rough habit to break, but it feels so good once you do :)
   
   EDIT: I forgot to mention: Moisturize! Be it hand cream, cuticle cream, cuticle oil, whatever. It keeps them neat so there's no hangnails, which makes them look healthier, which helps curb the temptation to bite!

Really? That long?
that sure is a long time but AMAZING! Congrats I hope many more years to come for yous!

Here's something to make yous laugh! HAVE YOUS BROKE THE BARRIER LOL

I would love this for a cute date!

This is a great idea--thanks for hosting!

• I'm addicted to lip balm. Haven't tried Baby Lips yet.
  
  
• This is my favorite top coat. It's super shiny and strong.
  
  
• These makeup remover wipes are nice. I bought them for a trip, and I'm enjoying them on my lazy days.
  
  
• Lipstick organizer!
  
  
• Essie nail polish in a fun purple color
  
  
• Blotting papers
  
  
• Color tattoo! I recently discovered the color Creamy Beige is a perfect dupe for ABH dipbrow in Soft Brown.

Hi, OP :)

*Disclaimer - I'm not a licensed nail tech. I'm a self taught hobbyist who learned how to do her own nails, and occasionally friends' nails.*

So, I've been doing this for about 5 years and my old reliable lamp from amazon (a random brand called youspicy - which is no longer available, sadly) just gave out. It was a beast. 48 watts, UV bulb in the top AND LEDs around the sides, mirrored bottom that was removable, etc. After it finally gave up and died I was using a strictly UV light lamp that a friend had gotten me last year, and I HATED it! Not only did it take 2-3 times as long (90-120 seconds vs. 30-60 seconds in my old lamp), but it got really hot inside - like a tanning bed does. I ended up setting that one aside in case of emergency and was hoping I could find something similar to my old lamp.

As one does, I hopped on amazon and found that in the 5 years since I'd bought my old lamp LITERALLY everything has changed. Now nobody really uses the combo lamps with UV bulbs AND LED - I mean they exist, but aren't particularly good/well priced - all I was seeing was lamps lined with only LED lights. After a day or 2 of research I realized that it really does come down to wattage. LEDs are much more energy efficient and get the job done just as well as anything. Basically, you find one that fits your needs (i.e. I knew I wanted a lamp that had a pad on top for your hand, at least 48 watts, and 10, 30, 60 sec timer), read the reviews, and go from there. Absolutely no need to spend hundreds on a branded lamp that is essentially the same thing.

Here's the one I got recently on amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0BCN9B/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_q4r4DbRXKW8Y2

​

The products you use will make a difference, though!! Definitely splash out on quality base/top coats if nothing else. Hope this helps :)

I think we NEED Essie Play Date. I mean come on, it is the perfect purple. It's in your wishlist too so you must agree :) Plus it's $5.95 with free shipping.

Though if you aren't in a purple mood, Sparkling Garbage is just $8 and also has free shipping. I've recently become convinced that everyone should have this polish so it's really also a polish we both need.

*edit because I forgot to tell you that you're a total rockstar! That was close haha

You need thiscookbook Because cooking is always fun and this is just more fun!

You also need this candle Because lilacs are awesome and you like candles :D

Stamp plates for pretty nails!


Ty for the contest :)

ooooo I love nail polish!
The [3rd] (http://glamradar.com/cute-pink-nail-designs/) one down is a style I like. I only wish I was good at doing my nails like this.
I found [this] (http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Lacquer-Creative-Fantasy/dp/B00A2Y6PG2/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=J9D0Y4Q0F8GG&coliid=I3U9EZL0OK438P) naill polish the other day and i cant get it out of my mind. Also I give the best Eskimo kisses!

Happy Birthday!

I fought hard, but I couldn't make it! I would like these because they are super cute and I love doing my nails. :3

I learned some new stuff, and wanted to give an update! Paging u/SuperMagicx as well, in case you're curious :)

Liz from the Nail Hub describes a way to test if your gels are being properly cured! She explains here about 10 minutes in, but in a nutshell, you paint the gel on a plasticy surface (I used a ziploc bag), cure it, then peel it off. Obviously there is a sticky inhibition layer on the surface, because gel which is in contact with oxygen doesn't cure (which is why we wipe it off with alcohol). However, if the backside is still wet at all, then your gels aren't being fully cured.

I didn't test all my polishes because I have a whole bunch, but I tried one from six different brands, and the only ones that conclusively cured all the way through were "no wipe" polishes; they work a little differently in that they don't have a tacky layer on top that you have to wipe off, and I'm not really sure how they work. But I cured all the gels for 2 minutes under a 48W UV/LED lamp, so it's definitely not a wimpy lamp, and the bottles that said how long to cure (many didn't specify) said that 30s-60s was sufficient.

So, in conclusion, I really think that it's important to match the brand of lamp and polishes!! I'll definitely be selling what I have and sticking with one brand. Some people never develop allergies even if they are exposed to uncured gel, so that doesn't conclusively mean that you would become allergic too, but (1) I have some allergies already, so maybe I'm susceptible, and (2) I really love gel manis and don't want to lose the ability to do them, and the risk (become allergic) doesn't outweigh the gain (avoid spending money on new polishes and a lamp).

Hope that helps! :)

I'm in school to be a vet tech and am also a shelter volunteer, so I know this problem too. My best advice is to keep everything moisturized, including the nails. Use a good cuticle cream (I like LUSH's lemony flutter or Burts Bees lemon cuticle balm). I've noticed that my nail polish lasts longer when I take care of that. I've also had good luck with a sticky base coat like ORLY Bonder. It's hard to find a combination that will stand up to this kind of wear, though. I usually have to redo my nails if I've been doing a lot of cleaning/sanitizing or wearing gloves for long periods, like in lab.

1.08 with shipping, buddy. Nail tape is great because you can make precise lines. I've decided to re-paint my bedroom wall with a mural, and I've decided to recreate the Sistine chapel. We went there when we were in Italy and it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Of course, my bedroom wall will have to shrink it down to 5% its original size, and painters tape is too big and bulky for that. I can't sit there and tape off an entire human face with inch wide painters tape! It would take me a lifetime! So I have decided to ask for nail tape, because it is thin, pretty, and sure to guarantee a perfect likeness.

1. It's a tie between The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Growing up I was basically a FISH and lived in the pool. I would swim all the time and pretend I was Ariel (or a dolphin). It's also my favorite song soundtrack. The Lion King is tied because it was a movie we got to see before it was released during summer camp. I was with all my friends and it left me with an amazing memory.
   
   
2. I think you should get China Glaze's Purple Panic because I am also a polish-aholic lacquerista and purple is my favorite color! Bonus advice: Be aware that if you get these brushes, I bought them and the silver part separated from the handle. You'll have to reglue them and they also bend/break easily.
   
   
3. My chosen item is also a polish!
   
   
4. I don't remember my trip to DW but my favorite park is Epcot and I still go there as much as I can. I took my husband there for my birthday/late honeymoon for his first time and it was just awesome. I never get tired of it.
   
   See ya real soon!

Can I enter for just second place? I have the push up liner already, and I like it! Why didn't you?
mac twig dupe because it's beautiful!
brush covers great for keeping your brush shape after cleaning.
Makeup bag I saw another lady request this and I think its adorable!
Glitter polish I love glitter polish!

I use a cuticle oil I got from julep on my nails but Essie makes one that Ive used before that I like.

Are you using a base coat when you paint your nails? I found that when I didnt use a base coat my nails seemed to be weaker and more flimsy. OPI makes a good nail strengthener called Nail Envy. A lot if the folk at /r/RandomActsOfPolish consider it their Holy Grail. Though I opted for Essie's Strengthener. It works really well for me.

I would also try to avoid using acetone unless its necessary, I only use it to remove glitters and harder to remove stuff since my nails seem to be sensitive to it. Then I follow with my cuticle oil.

Ive read somewhere that cutting your nails causes damage to them. Im not sure I believe that but I stick to using a glass nail file to keep them in shape and the length I like. Its easier for me to shape with the file.

There is more than one shape you can make your nails (disclaimer: I dont know how well the chart works on what nail shape works for your nails, I just thought it was a good starting point and neat :) ).

Hmm. Seems like taming glitter is hard indeed. If anything, I can pretty much just pour on the Seche Vite after finding the huge 2 oz bottle on Amazon for like $12 lol. Worth it, even with the shipping price, considering what the actual nail polish bottles go! It's like a never ending refill. Guess I still just have to play with them until I find the right combination for each polish :)

1. It's going well! :)
   
   
2. My summer chemistry lab/lecture finals are this week, so I hope to get A's on those!
   
   
3. Oooh.. I'm starting on some crafts for my new apartment, I'm going to be sort of "de-stressing" by hanging out with my boyfriend, and I believe I will be working out a lot this week as well!
   
   
4. I would loveee this top coat please!
   
   Thanks so much for the contest! You be good to yourself as well! :)

Congratulations! :)
I want to be surprised for the bag but i really like Comet Vomit Galactose Intolerance a lot! Reminds me a lot of cotton candy and sprinkles.

Link! Who doesn't love some cute nail polish? :)

I ain't scared of no ghosts!

But seriously, I bet you're so happy about the 200 days :) Don't forget to spoil yourself too with something nice!

The stamper should work with any plate. I have the official Konad stamper and bought a few single Konad plates. Then I decided to give one of the bundle plate sets (this one specifically) a try and the plates have been comparible to the Konad ones for me.

The main thing is using polish that will work well with the stamper. I have one of the official Konad polishes, but bought a bunch of the Sally Hansen Insta-Dris that work great with it as well. I know there's a blog out there that has a huge list of polishes that stamp well.

You should definitely give it a try! It's so fun!

Oh goodness, and I forgot to mention you need to get a top coat and base coat. OPI is a good choice for a base coat, but I'd recommend a quick dry top coat (I like Seche Vite.) Again, if you're feeling fancy, a matte top coat is always fun to have, but not necessary.

OMG--I thought I was the only one that liked this one: http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Lacquer-Whirled-Fluid/dp/B00A2Y3LD2/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3SBJB5RE7GN4X&coliid=I4CA04J6IXPYC But it's on YOUR wishlist tooooooooo!!!!!
Great great great contest! Thank you--you are totally a rockstar!!!

This striping tape is awesome!! I feel like it's been on my wishlist forever lol I also think these nail art brushes look nice!! :) A little over budget but they may be worth it lol rhinestones!! Thanks for hosting this but it's only May 1st!! :3

Today, I drove my mom to the airport and then got lost on the way home. When I finally got back, I laid out in the sun and then watched Six Feet Under. It was a pretty boring day, but it was nice to relax!

I'd really like some nail art things like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Dotting-Marbleizing-Manicure-Pedicure-Ounce/dp/B004OHQR1Q/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_1_dp) or [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Nail-Stripe-Decoration-Sticker-Hologram/dp/B0069FDR96/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1372390674&sr=1-3&keywords=things) . Thanks for the contest by the way!

[1.08 I am sure there is less expensive but this is the one I could find!] (http://www.amazon.com/Nail-Stripe-Decoration-Sticker-Hologram/dp/B0069FDR96/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368342951&sr=8-2&keywords=nail+art)

[I would super love this for my new iPhone <3] (http://www.amazon.com/MicroDeal-Silicone-protector-Ribbon-Outfit/dp/B006RXP6NU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1WQOBYIH3HAZR&coliid=IDJODXH8E1LUB)

Thanks for the contest!

22 candles ! happy birthday hope it is a great one :)

http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Polish-HOPES-Lacquer/dp/B0085YK5U8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HDHF9JD1UKRV&coliid=I34NEAN6KBWQNC $0.01 plus $4.99 shipping

also seche vite is on sale for 4.84 with free shipping just fyi http://www.amazon.com/Seche-Vite-Fast-Nail-Ounce/dp/B00150LT40/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HDHF9JD1UKRV&coliid=I1GA3CVQ666HGD

I recently got into gel too a few months ago. You'll need a base coat too. I don't normally bother with one with normal polish, but I've found that without one, gel just peels right off my nails. Natural oils interfering with it, maybe? I don't know. But I like this set. And this is a pretty good remover but strong. Make sure you have a silicone mat to work with because it ate right through the varnish on my desk when I dripped it.

TGIF!

I am going to a big Magic: The Gathering tournament for the weekend because I am a huge nerd and I love it!!!

This Nail Envy would be super awesomely amazing!

I wish I wish I was a fish :)

Not really! But I would love this. It's nails but I don't have anything this nude and pretty :) please

I love this manicure!

This polish would be adorable on an eskimo :)

Thanks for this contest, all of these manicures are awesome!

1. $25 item
   
   
2. $10 item
   
   
3. $5 item
   
   I think 2 people should get a $10 prize! =)
   
   
   
   don't go talking too loud you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones
   
   Good luck everyone! Awesome contest! =)=)
   
   

That's so awesome! Congratulations! What do you do? I hope you get a raise! ;) Make sure you treat yourself too!

I would love this in Bauhau5 and this little guy Lilpeedee has me fiending for :) BIG MONEY!

I need a gray polish

All time favorite: Supernatural. Definitely

Recent show: Merlin! It's wonderful. Maybe I have a thing for fantasy and mystery stuff :)

Psych. It's hilarious.

Thanks for doing this gauntlet!

I typically recommend the Winstonia stamper, but I don't know what shipping would be like for you since it's not prime eligible. I would recommend skipping their scraper and using an old gift or credit card instead. It's worked well for me!

Sneaking into a peacock pen to pet the pretty peacocks at a zoo. I refuse to ever do that again because they are as vicious as they are beautiful and I ended up having to get stitches. I'm lucky I didn't get my eye put out.

If I win, I would love to get a top coat for nail polish. Thanks for throwing a contest!

I DO do it myself! :)

So far so good with doing a "gelly sandwich" -- base coat gel, cure, regular polish left to dry completely (takes some testing, best to dry overnight), top coat cured!

I got this:

AIMEILI Gel Nail Polish No Wipe Top and Base Coat Set Soak Off UV LED Gel Nail Lacquer - 2 x 10ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PF9Q5EG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3VmxDb5J1P9GV

Only complaint is that the top coat looks purple/blue and weird, like blacklight or something, in direct sunlight. Otherwise the one nail looks great!! :)

It is a fact that This Fancy, fabulous nail polish would look fantasitc on my fingers. A little over four dollars! Free shipping! It is a crazy fad that adds tons of flare! Even my feet would look flawless! This foxy lady would love a fresh look!

I use the cheap UV/LED light from Amazon. You can also find them on ebay. I purchased this one a year and a half ago and it's still working great. For polish, I'm a huge fan of Aimeili on Amazon. Base Coat/Top cost is a must and one of my favorite colors. It's just like painting with polish - thin base coat, color (x2 or 3 if needed), top coat. I dry in between each with 60 seconds under the light. For me, it's quicker and easier than polish. No need to worry if it's actually dry - once you're done you're good to go.

​

ETA: I purchase base coat/top coat July 2017 and I'm still working on it! I use it an average of once every 7-10 days. Some weeks I'll let my nails breathe.

Mani Dot Pens = 1.47

Nail ribbon for manicures =.93

Rinestone Tweezers =1.02

Thanks for putting this contest on! Here are my facts:

• I had shingles when I was in the 4th grade (chicken pox around age 2).
  
  
• I had a sleep deprived test to test for epilepsy. It was inconclusive because I fell asleep during the test. They asked me to close my eyes and were flashing lights. My eyes closed meant I fell asleep. This was at 14.
  
  
• My boyfriend accidentally broke my nose playing dodgeball. I had to have 2 surgeries to fix it because I actually shattered the bone part. After the second surgery my nose is a little crooked but I can breathe again. Picture Proof
  
  
• I'm short (5"1' or 61 inches or 1.5494 meters), which means that if I sit properly in chairs my feet don't usually touch the ground. (Toilets, airplanes, classrooms) If the chairs are adjustable I can touch the ground
  
  
• Monk is one of my favorite shows of all time and my favorite detective show. Sharona was the best. :)

Hi! Thank you for the contest :)

My goal is to quit smoking! I started smoking when I was 18, and it has been a few years. It's an extremely bad habit, something I should have never picked up, and it has definitely had some bad effects on my health. I would like to quit without using gums or patches, so I've been using an e-cig to suppress at least some of my cravings. I still feel like I need a real cigarette sometimes, but I definitely have cut down! Hey, every step toward a goal is progress, right? :)

561

[Pretty nail stuff!] (http://www.amazon.com/Rhinestones-Piece-Nailart-Manicure-Wheels/dp/B005BF1M10)

Thanks again.

CG I'm Not Bitter

Orly Sparkling Gargabe

Llarowe Good Fortune

Essie Trophy Wife

Welcome!!! I love baking too! This is an awesome idea for a contest, what are your answers to the questions?

it seems to rely more on the scraper you use more than anything else. i got this one, it has a lot of fun full nail designs, but then a few cute decals, but i would recommend the konad stamper/scraper set for the best results!

I'm not the original person you were talking to but I wanted to share my base and top coat because I love their longevity.

These are my nails after 4 days wear.
I have done dishes and laundry every day, and my job is practically typing for 8 hours.

The picture is of my dominant hand, and I have not reapplied my top coat at all.

I swear by Orly's Bonder as a base coat and Poshe for my top coat. They're amazing and last so long I feel bad removing my manicures because they're still decent.

Poshe dries suuuuper fast too.

Thank you! :)

I actually use some nail art brushes that I got from Amazon for like $3 for almost all of my detail designs. I'd totally recommend them if you're getting into more detail manis :)

Edit: here are the two sets I have...1 & 2...and they're crazy cheap right now! :)

Okay, I'm gonna go a different direction than most comments already. I started with Out the Door but it smears any artwork for me. I switched to Seche Vite and haven't looked back. Seche Vite is 4 dollars right now on Amazon. (Cheap! CHEAP!) I have a mani on right now that has lasted 5 days and counting. It's magic. It dries within minutes. If you get her that one, make sure she does a little research on how to best apply it; there's a trick to getting it to set right.

Second, You don't have to leave Walmart or the drugstore to get decent polish. Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy is rocking my socks right now, and it's 5$ a bottle at Target here in California. Its a thick polish, and the color is incredibly deep after 2 thinly painted coats. I would also suggest going to a Kohl's/Marshalls/TJ Maxx and looking in the beauty section; they always have a few buckets of high quality nail polish for a few bucks a pop. (OPI, saw some Butter's in there a few weeks ago, etc.)

I could definitely use this base coat, I'm totally out and my manis are chipping so quickly! I haven't used this one yet but Orly has great products so I figure it's gotta be at least ok :-D I'd prefer Orly Bonder but it's a bit over budget so it'll have to wait.

(On this wishlist <3)

My favorite creepypasta, the one that gives me chills and keeps me up at night every time, is Ted's Caving Page. Some spoiler-ish background on Ted can be found here.

The scariest incident I ever had, personally, was when I was telling my kids a spooky story before bed, and I had the sudden absolute certainty that someone was staring at me. I looked across the bedroom and saw a face, as if an elderly woman was laying on a bed directly across from ours, staring straight at me with wide, startled eyes. I looked away and tried to ignore the feeling of being watched, figuring it was a trick of the light or my mind. When I told my husband about it, he said "Oh yeah, my grandma died in that room. Her bed was right up against the wall opposite where ours is."

WELL GREAT THANKS FOR THAT INFORMATION

my under-ten: studs, dolls, or lashes if you please!

edit: Booooo

Sure thing!

• LED light. You can get cheaper florescent style lights. I went with the LED version because it's quicker. I'm a red head and try and avoid excessive UV. I even put sunscreen on my hands before doing my nails.
  
  
• I like the Aimeile Top/Base costs and colors. They're super cheap and last. I especially like their color changing polishes.
  
  
• You might also want to gets some nail clamps for removal so you're not wrapping your fingers in aluminum foil.
  
  
• And maybe invest in some ph Bond. This helps dry out the nail bed and helps the nails last longer.

This Konad set is what I started with, and I picked three separate plates I liked to go with it. They have some other starter kits, but I didn't like the designs of the four plates that came with it, so it was just as cost-effective to buy the kit and plates separately. You can find the stamper on other sites as well, and ebay has a lot of nail stuff for pretty cheap, if you don't mind long waits for shipping.

Other stamping plates you can pick up are the Cheeky sets, which have 25 plates for usually about $25 on various websites. They have a variety of designs for cheaper than the Konad plates, but with the same quality I've heard.

My one important suggestion is that whatever stamping kit you get, don't bother with the scraper they give you. It's usually a metal scraper that scratches the plates and does a bad job clearing the excess polish off the plate. Instead, what I use (at the recommendation of a lot of people) is an old plastic gift card. It's wide and easy to hold, sturdy enough to scrape off the excess polish, and doesn't scratch up the plate. I had a lot of trouble with stamping until I switched to using it instead of the scraper that came with the kit, but I'm glad everyone recommended it to me!

I'm somewhat lucky at door-prizes and small lottos. Not so much actual contests/games of skill. Two weeks ago I randomly won a $25 Fandango gift card and a $10 gift certificate to a local fancy pizza place.

everybody's a winner. If everybody includes me, pick this from my El Cheapo WL.

1. oh hey errmagerd how are you today?!
   
   
2. such nail art is this one. I love Hello Kitty!
   
   
3. My miracle product for nail care would be OPI Nail Envy. It keeps my nails incredibly strong. I would also suggest keeping your cuticles moisturized, I'm obsessed with E&A oils. My fave is Pumpkin Apple Butter. Finally, I don't know what kind of remover you use, but I swear ever since I switched to Zoya Remove it feels like my nails peel less. I'm not sure if it's because there is no acetone in it, but it's incredibly gentle yet still tough enough to remove glitters and such. I know it's pricey, but it's worth it 'cause this is how we do it!

If you don't mind waiting awhile for some plates to come in I've had really good luck with bornpretty store. I've even bought their clear jelly stamper and I've not had any issues. This is a crowd favorite stamper


For plates bornpretty, bundle monster, pueen, and winstonia all stamp very easily. Depending on how much you want to spend it can get a little pricey for plates...that's mostly because I have an addiction.




Check out their websites for bornpretty and bundle monster. Most of the time its cheaper to buy directly from them than to purchase it on amazon. Shipping from bundle monster is normally less than a week.

Hi, Ilovethedaisypup!

I exfoliate once a week or so with an apricot scrub, and usually remove my makeup using baby wipes, though I also love cleansing oil. I moisturize every day, and use this cream from the face shop. It's amazing. I'd really like to try using striping tape the only issue is, none of it ships to Canada, so you'd have to send it to yourself, then to me. Luckily, I don't mind waiting, and shipping is cheap!

>for a college student anyway

I hear that! I love getting money from Amazon, but Amazon pay Jerron right meow!

China Glaze is what I would want if I won the contest. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Nail-Art-Double-Stamper-Scraper/dp/B002MZ8BK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320550654&sr=8-1

This is what I bought a few months back when I bought my stamper. Some people may tell you that you need the special nail polish but I've always used Sally Hansen's black nail polish and found that it works just fine with my stamper and shows up perfectly. As for plates, one of my personal favorites that I find myself using over and over again the one with zebra, leopard, cross criss criss, and two little tip designs. If you think that you'll be using your stamper a decent amount, then I suggest you get the bundle monster. The plates from the Konad are a little too expensive for my taste, so I usually just resort to getting new plates from Amazon.

Awesome score. Seche vite really is amazing.

Lol, I'm always baffled why people buy it at "regular price" in store (as it's often $8+ in stores) when you can buy Seche Vite on Amazon for $5, free shipping included.

This is my personal recommendation. The white end needs a little prepping, but its wonderful! Its so squishy you can very easily stretch or shrink the image before you stamp, or use the marshmallowy of it to stretch as you're applying. Not my fav or making decals, but brilliant otherwise!

http://www.amazon.com/Winstonia-Double-Ended-Plastic-Scraper/dp/B00CJIOG0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396986665&sr=8-1&keywords=winstonia+stamper

The color I used is Julep's Roc Solid. The tape is super cheap on Amazon. You can find it Here! I also used a jewel on my thumb (kind of hard to see) which was also super cheap on Amazon. You can find those HERE as well.

Nice work! They look pretty and healthy! This is how I stopped biting mine as well.


If you haven't done so already get yourself a bottle of Seche Vite top coat and some vitamin D.


I used to bite my nails because they were ragged and peeling. I found using nail strengthener to work wonders.

I like your Long Bottom.

lol, that always makes me laugh.

this nail polish :) thanks for the contest!

Thanks for the answer. Now I know I need to get some, so I have weapons coming from y fingers. XD

Oh, and it's on Amazon for like $8.50 and free shipping! (Woop!)

The cheapest place to get a lot of this is by search around on amazon, honestly. If I were you, I'd get a set of nail brushes instead of a whole set of striping polishes. Then you can use one bottle for multiple things. And here are some cheap, but good, dotting tools.

This is an add-on item, but it's the cheapest you're going to find orangewood sticks anywhere. You can also gets pearls and gems

Sanding blocks and nail files are pretty affordable at sally's. but if you can get into CosmoProf, it's even cheaper there. I believe a manicure bowl is also pretty cheap at Sally's.

Your biggest money sink will be nailpolish. There are some decent brands for fairly cheap, but overall....

I don't know if this is helpful, but here is where I got my Seche. I don't remember it being quite that cheap when I ordered, haha. But even with the shipping now, it's less than $5.

EDIT: Now it's $4.74 with free shipping...get on it! :)

I think this color is so pretty! I would LOVE to have it!!

Oh, and tomorrow (5/19) is my CAKE DAY!!! This would make such a great cake day present! And it would only come to about $4.88 so someone else could be polished as well :D

I'm also on a no-buy... but I broke it for Samoan Sand. Totally worth it! Good luck with yours :)

I don't have any striping tape or studs/charms/whatever these are (but I've been eyeing them forever!) And they're both only a $1!

I can't win both?! LAME ;)

El cheapo BRUSHES. I've decided that you can't have too many of the skinny ones :)

I just realized you specifically said POLISH. Lol. Here's the cheapest polish...though I feel like the prices change every time I click on my WL

Llama face. Llamas are pretty, right?