Color Street Nail Polish Strips Review and Giveaway

Confession time, though I know that it would make my Instagram pictures better and I like having painted nails, I rarely have my nails done.  I don't want to pay for salon manicures and the manicures I do at home never turn out well.  I'm bad at painting nails.  It takes too much time and never turns out right so I walk around with naked nails.

(This post in a collaboration with Color Street consultant Jenn Marshburn Lynch for product and a giveaway.  All opinions, as always, are my own honest thought.)  

I started hearing about Color Street last year but I was skeptical.  But I read that it was made with real nail polish and only took a couple minutes to apply so I decided to give it a go.  Color Street are nail polish strips that are dry on one side and moist on the other side to adhere to your nail.  They are not stickers.  They are flexible so you can stretch them a bit to fit your nail.  There is absolutely NO drying time!

 Color Street Day 3 - forgot to take picture before because we left on vacation

I picked the Tokyo Lights glitter for my manicure.  I think it took me 10-15 minutes to apply my nails because it was my first time and I was nervous.  The nail strip has the base coat, polish, and top coat all in one step.  You just put the strip on your nail, press and rub it in, and pull off any excess.  I tried to be more careful so I could use each strip on two nails which means you get two manicures per package with some left over.  Truthfully, I wasn't GREAT at the application the first time.  I had some areas where I was way too rough and ripped off more of the strip than I should have.  Next time I'll be more gentle.  Even so, I think the mani looked pretty good when I was done.

Color Street Day 7

I applied the manicure right before bed as I was watching TV.  This is usually the time I do my nails but I always wake up in the morning with smudges and dents even though I thought the nail polish was dry when I went to bed.  With Color Street, I had none of those concerns.  There's NO drying time.  No waiting time for it to seal.  No nothing.  You put them on and then rub an alcohol pad over the top to seal them in.  That's it!  I went to bed and everything was dry and fine.  I woke up with them looking exact like they did when I went to bed.  I got SO many compliments with people not believing that I didn't get my nails done at a salon.  They looked so pretty!

I wore this manicure for 14 days!!!  It didn't even look that bad when I took them off.  I definitely had more growth from the bottom than chipping from the top.  I have really oily skin so gel nail polish and nail sticker products usually only last about 8 days on me.  I was floored that this lasted 14 days!

Removal was pretty easy.  I was afraid since there was a TON of glitter on my nails.  I took some tips from Jenn and put coconut oil all over my nails for a few minutes before I removed the Color Street.  Then I used regular nail polish remover and cotton pads.  They came off in chunks and took a couple minutes.  My natural nails look great underneath, no drying or weakness at all.

Color Street Day 14

I think this product is great for any person on the go!  It's affordable.  I used the excess from my manicures to give my 5 year old daughter a mani but didn't get a picture.  For the $12, I got 2 manicures for me and can do 2 for her.  I loved how easy it was for someone like me who is BAD at nails!  And the fact that I didn't have to dry was basically the best thing of life.  I have already bought more strips from Jenn!  I'm also hosting an online party with Jenn if you'd like to purchase HERE IS THE PARTY LINK.  I will receive a hostess credit of product if anyone decides to purchase.

GIVEAWAY!
Jenn has kindly given me a set of Color Street to giveaway to one lucky reader so they can try the fabulousness!

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Mani Monday on a Wednesday

Hi friends!  I hope you are well.  We are doing ok.  I can't believe that next week is Thanksgiving!  Things have been really busy lately.

Confession: Mani Monday is super late b/c I haven't had time to do my nails.  I really thought that the blog post would keep me on top of it but it's just been an exhausting week.  This mani belongs to Jan Farnworth who is also the WINNER of the linkup!  Woohoo!  YAY Jan!  

Link up to get a special prize from me!

Mani Monday Nov 3, 2014 - Linky PARTY!!

Hi friends!  I hope that you are well!  We are ok.  I think everyone has a little cold now.  I'm hoping this is it for cold and flu season.  I feel like I've been sick forever.  In other news, I haven't found a Mani Monday link up to replace the one I used to link up to so I've decided to start my own!  Sooooo... if you do your nails, link them up down below because I would love to take a look and comment!

Today, I'm sharing the manicure I put on the day before Halloween.  I used Candy Corn Solid Jamberry nail wraps.  Aren't they so cute??  I got a ton of compliments on them.  I also think it's ok to wear them for a while since they are more "fall" than just Halloween.

Link up those manis!  I wanna see what's on your nails this week!  If you are interested in learning more about Jamberry, join my Mani Monday Facebook Party and hang out with us.  If you'd like to order any Jamberry wraps, check out my friend Ali's site and please use me as a hostess so I can get credit.  Thanks!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Mani Monday: On the Fringe

Hi friends!  I hope you're all doing well.  I'm still a bit under the weather.  I don't know what I have but it's kicking my bum!  I did five days of antibiotics and I'm still not feeling good.  Hopefully, it will clear up soon.  Everyone else here seems to be better though.  It never really hit the kids that hard.  

I'm posting another Mani Monday this week even though I don't have anywhere to link it up to.  :(  I went completely out of my comfort zone for this mani.  I'm not usually into the whole tribal vibe but when I saw these Jamberry wraps that are exclusive for October, I just had to have them.  They are called On the Fringe.  I really love the dreamcatchers on this sheet!  This is the first time I've gotten a sheet with mixed designs on it and I love it!  It's nice not to have to think about mixing and matching my own patterns.

Let me know if you know of a Mani Monday linky party.  Have a great week, friends!  

Mani Monday and a Jamberry Giveaway!

Hi friends!  I hope that you are all well.  We are ok.  We have a heat wave and that's really annoying because we still don't have air conditioning in the van.  It's AWFUL when it's 100 degrees.  Seriously.  I hope this is the last of the heat for this year.

Today, I'm featuring a Jamberry manicure that I am loving!  How cute is this combo?  I really love mixing and matching for a fun and funky look!  I'm wearing the Leopard, Midnight Sky, and the gold and white glittery letters was a special for August.  It's so cute and it lasts just under 2 weeks.

Soooo, if you are looking for a Jamberry consultant, check out my friend Ali's Site.  She is AMAZING!  She had a fundraiser for Unravel last month to help out my Flutter Campaign and she donated $125!  Can you believe that?!?  She also has GREAT tips and tricks on how to apply Jamberry for the best wear and she even has a GIVEAWAY going on her Jamberry Facebook Page where when she hits 100 likes, she's giving away a Jamberry Nail Lacquer.

I have a giveaway for you too!  I got this nail wrap (not my picture) for hosting a party in Sept and I want to share a half sheet with you guys!  A half sheet is enough for 1 manicure and 1 pedicure.  To enter, check out the Rafflecopter below!  (US residents only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jamberry Nail Lacquer Review

Hi friends!  I hope you're doing well.  We are ok.  School is going to start tomorrow.  This summer actually flew by!

Today, I'm reviewing the Jamberry Nail Lacquers.  My amazing consultant Carol gifted me a gorgeous lacquer and a base coat for the purpose of an HONEST review but the opinions are solely mine.

I did two rounds of testing on the lacquers before I decided to write my review because you want thorough, right?  The first time, I used the Hint of Mint color with the Strengthening Base Coat.  I did not use a top coat because I wanted to test just the Jamberry products and I don't have a Jamberry top coat.  The second time, I used my drugstore base and top coats.  I also used two of the nail wrap samples I received.  You can read my review of the Jamberry Nail Wraps HERE.

Results for Test 1:  I got beautiful opaque coverage in two coats.  It dried relatively quickly.  However, the lacquer chipped in one day.  This is VERY normal with no top coat.  You need that top coat to seal it in.

Results for Test 2: It took me 3 coats of color to get nice opacity which made it thick since I had a drugstore base and top coat on there.  I can't really judge them on thickness though because I know that I added a lot of layers with the base and top coat.  However, this method made the lacquer stay chip free and looking fabulous for 5 days and even then the chips were so minor that I kept it on another 2 days.

Conclusion:
If you buy the lacquers, you should definitely get the base coat.  I'm not sure how strengthening it is because I only used it once BUT it makes the application SO MUCH SMOOTHER.  This is probably the best base coat I've ever tried.  The price tag ($15) is higher than I'm used to spending but it's worth it.  I would buy this again and again.

The lacquer was very nice.  The color is absolutely gorgeous.  I did get good opacity and long wear when I used a top coat.  They are a little on the pricy side so I wouldn't buy one unless the color really spoke to me.  This would be a splurge item for me at $15.

The real star, even though they aren't in this review, is the nail wraps.  I LOVE the designs and truthfully, they are what gets your nails noticed.  They are so fun and there are tons of styles and colors!  I think I'm going to start using them as accent nails ALL the time!

If you are in the market for Jamberry, please contact Carol!  She's a wonderful lady and an awesome consultant!  You can also go to Carol's Jamberry Facebook Page to request a sample of one of the cool nail wraps.

I'm linking this up to Mani Monday on the Glitter and Gloss Blog!

Mani Monday... on a Tuesday

Hi friends!  I meant to blog yesterday, but I was SO sick!  I think I got the flu but I have the flu shot so it lessens the symptoms.  Is that how it works?  I slept almost ALL day yesterday and I'm feeling at least alive today.  Sigh... I was lucky enough to have Dustin take a day off work to take care of me and the kids.  I'm on my own today though.

Today, I have some manis to show you.  I was lucky enough to get this awesome Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure box from Influenster for free to try out and review.  I was SO excited about this product!  It claims to be a 7 in 1 with base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat, chip resistant, and gel shine.  The thought of being able to just use one product REALLY excited me because as a mom of 3 young kids, I don't have a lot of time to just sit and let my nails dry.

 The first one I used is Jaded at the same time, I put Pat on the Black on my toes.  I didn't take pics of my feet.  I really don't like the way my feet look and refuse to subject you guys to them.  I was really excited about this pretty mint color since mint is SO on trend.  I originally did 3 coats and let them dry and went to bed.  The color was very translucent and I needed 3 coats for it to be opaque.  The next day, I noticed a few imperfections so I painted on a fourth coat.  That's what you see here.  Once that fourth coat was on, it was perfect!  The color was lovely and it held up beautifully!  I had to take it off 4 days later because I was on a TV show (should I blog about this?  Leave a comment if you want to hear about the TV show.)  But it held up just fine.  My toes also lasted great until I took the polish off.  I only needed 2 coats for my toes with Pat on the Black.

 Later on, I tried Red My Lips.  I only did two coats and wanted to see how they would last.  I mean, the point was to SAVE time right?  Honestly, they began chipping right away and a few days later, I had to take them all off.  So, 4 coats really will make it last the best.

Overall, I think it's a great product.  Do you have to paint on a bunch of coats?  Yes.  But it's all you need.  You don't have to buy extra products.  Also, my nails did feel nourished afterwards so that's always nice.  The colors were nice too.  I would repurchase these with no problem.  Hope that helps!  Talk to you soon, friends!

I'm linking up on Mani Monday on Glitter and Gloss.

Mani Monday: Jamberry Review and Giveaway

Hi friends!  I hope you are having an amazing day and long weekend!  We are doing pretty good.  The boys are spending lots of time with our parents this weekend so D and I can have a break.  I'm not gonna lie, I was getting burnt out.  Last night, D and I went on our FOURTH date since Avery's been born.  So, in the last 8 months, I've gotten to spend alone time with my husband 4 times.  But I'm sure that's more than some people get so I shouldn't complain.  Today, we are having a family day.  I don't know what's on the agenda.

This is my current manicure.   I love love love it!  It's Ombre Polka from Jamberry.  If you haven't heard of Jamberry, they are nail wraps made from a non-toxic material.  You apply them with heat (I use a blow dryer) and there's no dry time.  They last 10-14 days and they don't chip.

 My first manicure lasted about 10 days BUT it was my first time doing it and I didn't clean or buff my nails before.  I also didn't have the application kit the first time which I used on my latest manicure and I really liked that too.  It helped my smooth out the bumps you see here on my first try.

I've also tried Jamberry for just an accent.  There are so many fun designs to choose from that it's really easy to match up nail polishes if you just want to use them for an accent nail.

Overall, I love the Jamberry wraps!  I've been using them for about a month now.  The main reason I'm using them is this thumb nail below.  :(  I'm so upset about it!  It's not broken all the way though it looks like it is.  The right side is on pretty good still.  I've been using the Jamberry wraps to protect my nail as it grows out.  This is roughly 3000 times better than using a bandaid.  I kept bumping things or having things go under my bandaid.  The Jamberry is keep my nail held together so it doesn't rip anymore.  

I did get some free items for hosting a party last month so I did want to mention that.  However, I did not get those free things for writing a review.  My friend and I hosted a fun nail party and they were my hostess perks.  I love the Jamberry wraps so much, I contacted Carol (my consultant) about doing a review and giveaway and a blog/online party.  

PARTY: I currently have an online Jamberry Party open.  If you order from this link, I will receive hostess credit for well hosting the party.  ;)  The new catalog released YESTERDAY so there are tons of new designs to choose from!

GIVEAWAY 1: Everyone who orders from my party will be entered to win 2 sheets of Jamberry wraps.  That's a $30 value people!!  Just be sure to use the link about.  This is ONLY through Carol and only for this party.  

Giveaway 2: One person will win a large assortment (10-15) of these sample application sheets that are perfect for accent nails.  Just leave a comment letting me know which Jamberry design is your favorite. This picture is NOT what you will win.  You will win LOTS more and the designs will vary.  The photo is just to give you an example of what the sample sheets look like.  

Giveaway will close Sept 16 and winner will be drawn by Random.Brady or Random.Parker, depending on their random.moods.  :D   

I'm linking up to Mani Mondays on Glitter and Gloss.