Essie has a matt about you topcoat if you don't want the high gloss look.

A base coat is a good idea for red nail polish.  Without a base coat reds will often stain your nails.

These days I like to use expressie quick dry nail polish.

Marion

Quote from: Maid Marion on August 31, 2024, 07:39:53 PMEssie has a matt about you topcoat if you don't want the high gloss look.

A base coat is a good idea for red nail polish.  Without a base coat reds will often stain your nails.

These days I like to use expressie quick dry nail polish.

Marion

Thanks Marion! I'm definitely leaning towards a white polish.... But definitely a solid, matte finish. Nothing sparkly. And I think the top coat my wife already has is non high gloss, so that should work. It's just about finding the right base.

Quote from: imallie on August 31, 2024, 09:55:16 PMThanks Marion! I'm definitely leaning towards a white polish.... But definitely a solid, matte finish. Nothing sparkly. And I think the top coat my wife already has is non high gloss, so that should work. It's just about finding the right base.

You can use a clear coat as a base and a top coat. But skip the top coat if you want a matte finish.

QuoteAnd it's really easy to say this when you HAVE won the lottery and grown wings? But the key to happiness is being grateful for what you have, and not worried about what you don't.

Are you saying that I should stop pining for every Faberge egg ever made?

But I want them. I really do. And I'm so close, like every Faberge egg ever made away.

QuoteAs she started working on it... the first comment she made on the polish SHE picked out was... "oooh, sparkly!" And we both started to laugh. It said "luxe finish"... which we now knows means it's intended for those with unicorn posters in their rooms, I believe.

So, you're saying the luxe finish was made for me? I do have the unicorn posters, after all.

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on September 01, 2024, 05:59:16 AMAre you saying that I should stop pining for every Faberge egg ever made?

But I want them. I really do. And I'm so close, like every Faberge egg ever made away.

So, you're saying the luxe finish was made for me? I do have the unicorn posters, after all.

To address both points -

The eggs were a misdirection. In point of fact, I PERSONALLY covet those eggs. So I only said that crap about being happy with what you have or whatever to throw the rest of you off the scent and keep you all away from going after my eggs. *sigh* Clearly, that did not work.

Send me your address - sparkly (slightly used) nail polish coming your way!

Let's have a Faberge Egg Hunt! What will I wear? Why, roller derby gear, of course.

I didn't read the rest of you wrote: Too busy gazing at my rainbow unicorn posters and sighing.

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on September 01, 2024, 08:46:36 AMLet's have a Faberge Egg Hunt! What will I wear? Why, roller derby gear, of course.

I didn't read the rest of you wrote: Too busy gazing at my rainbow unicorn posters and sighing.

My Strawberry Shortcake poster would break her like a wild stallion. Or they'd have a tea party. Both are completely outside my comfort zone so I really don't if one of those is an insult the other a compliment or vice versa.

All I know is that it's on like Kong. Not the Fay Wray lovin' King Kong, Cuddlin' Kong, who lives by the Butterscotch Brook.

Boy came to town tonight, and we all went out for a week-early birthday dinner for my wife. He actually came home in the afternoon so we got a whole afternoon with him first and then a long dinner... always appreciated.

He was giving us some updates on a couple of his friends moving in with their girlfriends, and my wife said "how about you, are you seeing anyone lately?" to which he nodded, that he was. I asked if it was someone he was introduced to via friends and he said it was someone he met "on the apps."  And that, in four hours with him, was all we got.

Even so, when he got up to go to the restroom at dinner, my wife and I fist bumped that we got THAT info. The boy is an open book on anything except that topic. Always has been.

Overall though, what you would call a full, rich day.  (Cause we also did another morning shopping spree, which proved very successful!)

---------

This evening I took my first-ever crack at painting my finger nails (we'd picked up new polish this morning). Two coats of polish, and then the top coat, as instructed by my wife. And then I used the remover wipe to clean up the mistakes around the edges?

How does it look? Well, if you were 20 feet away, in a dimly lit room? At least partially full of smoke? You'd say -- those nails look pretty janky.

For a first effort, she thought I did pretty well. But even so, I immediately wiped them clean.

I think what I learned is, I'm going to go to salon and get them done professionally. That way a) I'll know if I like having them done, since it won't be an issue of "not done well" and b) if I do decide to keep doing this going forward, I'll now have an example of a target for which to aspire.

Instead of using the remover wipes, I let them dry completely. Then take a knife or cuticle trimmer and scrape the excess off the skin. It peels off easily and leaves them looking pretty good. But if you are not certain you even want them done, I agree that a salon is the way to go. If you like it, save some money and practice doing it yourself. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Have fun with it.

Glad you got to spend some quality time with the boy. Bonus points for getting an admission that he is seeing someone. 

Quote from: Lori Dee on September 01, 2024, 11:59:44 PMInstead of using the remover wipes, I let them dry completely. Then take a knife or cuticle trimmer and scrape the excess off the skin. It peels off easily and leaves them looking pretty good. But if you are not certain you even want them done, I agree that a salon is the way to go. If you like it, save some money and practice doing it yourself. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Have fun with it.

Glad you got to spend some quality time with the boy. Bonus points for getting an admission that he is seeing someone. 

Yeah, if I like how the salon does it, I'll start doing it myself and know it'll take practice... but at least I'll know towards what I am practicing.

QuoteHow does it look? Well, if you were 20 feet away, in a dimly lit room? At least partially full of smoke? You'd say -- those nails look pretty janky.

4

You sure make me laugh.

Steady hand and load the brush works for me.

Quote from: imallie on September 01, 2024, 11:09:49 PMI think what I learned is, I'm going to go to salon and get them done professionally.

Allie,

In, my humble opinion getting as professional manicure is the best. I do it all the time and my nail polish always has a little sparkle. I get loads of complements all the time on my nails.   

Ellen

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on September 02, 2024, 05:57:14 AM4

You sure make me laugh.

Ego corydon ergo deridetis

Which, by the way, is not remotely funny. They can't all be winners.

Quote from: EllenW on September 02, 2024, 10:27:15 AMAllie,

In, my humble opinion getting as professional manicure is the best. I do it all the time and my nail polish always has a little sparkle. I get loads of complements all the time on my nails.   

Ellen

I am on board, Ellen!

I said to my wife it was like when I tried sushi the first time a few years back (and now I love it!) - I wanted to try THE BEST. That way, I'd know immediately if I liked it or not. It would not be about quality.

So I want to get my nails professionally done. That way, I'll know if I like the way my nails look being done. If so, then I can teach myself how to replicate it. But if I don't? Then there's no need.

Speaking of which... a question for those who frequent nail salons or at least are fluent, or have conversational competency in "nail".

Let's say, I don't know, you were just a regular human being? And you looked at the menu for a nail salon and the options were gel, and ombré and dips? Are these appetizers they serve before they do your nails?

What do you say if you just want them to pain your nails nicely, and not attach six inch talons with rose buds and sparkles on the tips — like ever salon shows in their photos?

Inquiring minds would really like to know!

Quote from: imallie on September 02, 2024, 12:21:17 PMSpeaking of which... a question for those who frequent nail salons or at least are fluent, or have conversational competency in "nail".

Let's say, I don't know, you were just a regular human being? And you looked at the menu for a nail salon and the options were gel, and ombré and dips? Are these appetizers they serve before they do your nails?

What do you say if you just want them to pain your nails nicely, and not attach six inch talons with rose buds and sparkles on the tips — like ever salon shows in their photos?

Inquiring minds would really like to know!

Hmmm. so much to unpack here.

As with any service, start by assuming you don't have to ask for a nicely done job. They get that part. If it helps they all show "fancy" because showing you do the hard stuff well implies 'plain' is done well. Every salon has its quirks. For what I think you want, I wouldn't sweat the little quirks.


It sounds ummm too simply, but ask for what you want. Nail salons are a service business. At least here. They want to make you happy. "This is my first time, can I just get a plain mani?" ought to do. Things like gel and dip stay on longer; they are hella hard to get off. You might want that or might just want to try a low cost, simple mani. gels and dips cost more.

If you don't know what something means, ask. If you don't get a good answer, its ok to leave. It is your money. You might want to ask if they have a touch up policy. One place I use does "touch ups" for up to 3 days. Handy for chips or smudges on the day of an event.

Savor the experience. Look at the colors a moment. Let them work on your nails. They will prompt you where they want your hands and what to do. Let yourself enjoy being pampered a little.

Now, what you are going to need to learn is after care. How long you must wait to do anything lest you chip or smudge. Then how to use the pads of your fingers not the nails, lest you chip or smudge. Gloves for doing the dishes help keep you looking better longer.

Remember-- it is your look. I know a lot of women that don't touch their nails and look awesome; just as many that always have nails done. Nails or no nails is in no way "more or less feminine".

happy manicuring,

~Jenn

Wonderful advice, Jenn.
As a salon virgin, this was very helpful.

And don't use surgical spirit on anything as it makes a good remover (how do I know?)