Showing posts with label pedicure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pedicure. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 February 2014

NEW No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour; "Galaxy" & "Peacock Green"; review + photos

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Image - above: No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour; "Galaxy" (left) and "Peacock Green" (right).

Today's review features a fairly new product from No7 at Boots that I fell in love with instantly, No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour. It's got great wear, deep glossy colour, and a high-shine finish. Here I will share my thoughts on two very different shades, Galaxy and Peacock Green, but there are more available (and I'll certainly be getting more soon!!).

First of all, let's discuss the finish. As the name suggests, it gives a gel-look shine. Sometimes I get a little apprehensive when products make these sort of claims as they don't always live up to expectations, but this stuff has a stunning high-shine finish. You don't even need a top coat to give it extra shine, but I used one anyway to lock in the colour for longer.

It also has fantastic wear. My hands are pretty hard working, and it did me proud. I've added a photo of my nails in Galaxy after 3 days of wear (see end of review); sadly it did loose most of it's eye-catching luster, but the durable formula was still going strong, not a chip in sight!! To renew it's shine, just add a quick-drying high-shine top coat. Your manicure will look as good as new!! No7 do sell a clear top coat in the Gel-Look Shine range, but I haven't got my hands on it yet.

The pigment-rich formula gives spectacular coverage with just one coat, but I used two for extra wear (one coat never seems to last as long on my thin nails). I'd say the drying time is average. The polish has a medium-thick consistency, so, although it doesn't take long to dry, it's not as quick as No7's Speed Dry polishes (I'm not sure if they're available to purchase via Boots.com anymore, I can't find them on the website).

Now, let's talk colour!! Here are some words on the 2 shades I used:

Galaxy is an enchanting three-dimensional dark purple. It's infused with various shades of purple specks of glitter. This eye-catching shade looks different in every light, and the high-shine finish really sets of the shimmer. This polish is perfect for Winter.

Image - below; "Galaxy" in natural daylight (left), and when photographed with a camera flash (right).
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Peacock Green is a bright, eye-catching, slightly metallic shade of green. I absolutely adore it. It's more of a Spring / Summer shade, but I couldn't resist going against the flow and rocking it in the Winter, too. It's fantastic in sandals for showing off your Summer pedicure, and I reckon a tan would make the shade look brighter still. I can see where it gets it's name from, it will certainly turn heads!!

Image - below; "Peacock Green" in natural daylight (left), and when photographed with a camera flash (right).
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Image - below; "Galaxy" after 3 days of wear. Sadly, it's did lost most of it's eye-catching luster, but the durable formula is still going strong, not a chip in sight!! To renew it's shine, just add a quick-drying high-shine top coat.
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I'm sure you can tell I'm a real fan of this nail polish. There are currently 10 colours available on the Boots website (including a clear top coat) for £7.00 each. I've always been a lover of No7's make up, so I had high hopes. No7, you did not let me down. Thank you!! XOXO



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Image - below; My nail polish is No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour in "Peacock Green." My lip colour is Avon Plump & Stay Lip Colour in "Rosy Resistance." My waterfall cardigan is from Hobbs. My gold chain is a family heirloom.
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Saturday, 14 December 2013

Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer; shades 352 / 3 / 651; review #2 + photos (My 2nd ColorShow review)

I've already reviewed three shades from the massive Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer range, but I recently became the proud owner of three more which I am sharing with you today!


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Image - above: Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer in shades (L-R) "352 Downtown Red", "3 Tutti Fruity", and "652 Cool Blue".

Because I've published a ColorShow review before, I'm not going to go into a huge amount of detail about anything but the shades themselves. To read about the product in more detail, click the link in bold above.

For brief notes on this product's wear, scroll down to the bottom of this blog and read the description to the right of the final photo, which shows my nails in "352 Downtown Red" after three days of wear. For more details, click the link in bold above.

Let's get started!

The shades I'm reviewing today are "352 Downtown Red", "3 Tutti Fruity", and "651 Cool Blue". I chose these because 352 is a perfect classic red shade for this season's nails, 3 is a more delicate and playful option that can be pulled off all year round, and 651 caught my eye because I've recently been expanding my collection of blue nail polishes.

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Images - right: These photos show each shade after 1, 2, and 3 coats. Click the image to enlarge.

651 Cool Blue: I love this pastel blue shade. For me, a perfect pastel has to be balanced, not too bright and not too dull. This icy hue is a cool contrast to the classic berry and plum shades we usually see in winter, but it's also bang-on trend for Spring / Summer every year. A great all-rounder!
One coat looks a little patchy, but 2-3 coats will give even and opaque colour.

3 Tutti Fruity: If you're looking for sparkly nails this season, Maybelline may have your perfect match. Tutti Fruity is a soft, shimmering purple shade infused with iridescent glitter with an opalescent finish. This sweet, shimmery, "candy-like" shade reminds me of Parma Violets! I used to love those sweets, but sadly they don't taste the same as they used to, so if you've never tried them (who hasn't?!) don't get too excited.
This polish has a semi-sheer finish, so it would take a lot of coats to get a 100% opaque finish, but I achieved my preferred look in 2-3 shades.

352 Downtown Red: (See below for more photos of "352 Downtown Red). If I had to pick a favorite of these three shades, Downtown Red would probably be the one for me! You just can't go wrong with a shade like this on your nails. For ultimate glamour, pair it with simple eye make up, flawless skin, and a matching lipstick shade. This sexy, seductive, ruby shade is reminiscent of red wine. It's shimmer and sparkle free, and has a deep glossy finish. You can't go wrong with a dark red manicure this season. It's a classic, and it will always be a winner!
2 coats gives an "almost-opaque" finish, which I personally was more than happy with, but opt for 3 coats if you desire.


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Image - left: My nails in "352 Downtown Red". Deep, glossy, red wine shades are a classic for Winter nails. This polish is sure to go down a storm in AW13! Here I am wearing 2 shades and a clear top coat.
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Brief notes on this product's wear;
Image - right: "352 Downtown Red" after three days of wear. I am wearing 2 coats and a clear top coat with no touch-ups. As you can see, the signs of wear are very minimal. The gloss has faded a bit and the colour has worn off around a little on the tips. Not bad for a £2.99 nail polish! You'll get even better wear out of it if your nails are in better condition than mine (mine are quite thin), or if your hands are a bit less active (mine hands are busy writing, typing, and looking after my birds both indoors and in my garden).






Click here to view the Maybelline Colorwheel, where you can view the Color Show Nail Lacquer shades, view suggested tips and ideas about what to wear with each polish, share your favorite polish via social media sites, and purchase the Color Show shades.

Click here to purchase Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer from the Boots website.

As I've previously mentioned, if you want to read about this product in more detail and see my notes on summery shades 265, 341, and 186, click the link in bold at the top of this page or click here to see my first Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer review. :)



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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Friday, 27 September 2013

NEW NAIL ART PRODUCT; Avon Colour Trend Glitter Glam Nail Glitter Pots; review + photos

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I'm really excited about sharing my thoughts about this product with you. It's a new nail art product from Avon that isn't yet on sale in the UK, so you can get the lowdown up-front right here!

Glitter Glam Nail Glitter Pots are from the Avon Colour Trend range. Everything from Colour Trend is dirt cheap, so you can look fabulous without breaking the bank! Who doesn't love a beauty bargain!?

These wicked little pots contain light-reflective, ultra-fine, gorgeous nail glitter. It's currently available in 3 shades, "Silver", "Hello Halo", and "Black Bling", and I couldn't resist testing them all. I'm hoping that Avon come up with more shades - an eye-catching gold would look great, and maybe an intense red for a glitzy Autumn manicure.
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As always, I've added my helpful high-res photos to this review, so you can see the results for yourself.

Image - right: Instruction included with each Nail Glitter Pot.

It's dead simple to use, but instructions are included anyway (see image - right). Paint your nails with a clear base coat, followed by a coloured polish if desired. While your nails are still wet, apply a coat of glitter to the nail using a brush of some kind (used an old eyeshadow brush), then lightly blow away any excess. For even more eye-catching results, apply one coat of clear polish and re-apply the glitter. Finish your nails by sealing in the glitter with 2 coats of top coat - I think a high-gloss one looks best.
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For a more subtle look, use one or two coats of glitter over clear polish. To add more depth to your manicure, apply one coat of glitter over a coordinating shade of nail polish. I applied the glitter over 3 of my favorite Avon Nailwear Pro+ Nail Enamel shades; "Golden Vision", "Orchid Splash", "Noir Emerald". My preferred result was achieved by using Nailwear Pro+ in "Orchid Splash" finished with the nail glitter in "Hello Halo" - I love the and ultra-feminine look!

Image - right: My nails after one coat of nail glitter and 2 coats of top coats. Glitter shades (L-R) - "Silver", "Hello Halo", "Black Bling".

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Of course, you don't need to apply the glitter to a full set. Try painting your nails with you chosen colour, then applying the glitter to just your ring finger to jazz up you usual manicure. Gorgeous! (See image - right.)

Image - right: Apply the glitter to just one nail to add a more subtle touch of sparkle to your usual manicure. Polish: Maybelline ColorShow in "265 Wine Shimmer" / Avon Nail Glitter Pot in "Black Bling".
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I love the eye-catching, professional salon-style look you can easily achieve with this product. It adds a fun, party-perfect finish to any shade, perfect for day or night!

Images - nearest-right: I love this intense look! My nails after 2 coats of nail glitter and 2 coats of top coats. Glitter shades (L-R) - "Silver", "Hello Halo", "Black Bling".
Images - far-right: The striking results of using nail glitter with coordinating coloured polish. My nails after two coats of Avon Nailwear Pro+ Nail Enamel, one coat of nail glitter, and 2 coats of top coat. Glitter & Nailwear Pro+ shades (L-R) - "Silver" with "Golden Vision", "Hello Halo" with "Orchid Splash", "Black Bling" with "Noir Emerald".

I actually haven't found any disadvantages to this product. All I can say is, if you choose to use an old eyeshadow brush for application like I did, make sure you then reserve it just for nail glitter use, as if you use it for make up again you'll probably get glitter in your eyes! More shades please, Avon!

Another great product for adding a touch of sparkle to your nails is the Avon Opal Top Coat - click here to read my review!

Avon also sell a Nail Art Tool, which is a double-ended tool for adding unique designs to your manicure - click here to read my review!

Avon Colour Trend Glitter Glam Nail Glitter Pots will be available in the UK from Avon brochure 17. Click here to view nail product on avonshop.co.uk.

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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Just a recent snap of myself. My hair bleach has nearly all grown out and I'm loving my ginger locks (not usually as bright as it is in the photo, I've just upped the contrast). Time for a new hair cut, I reckon!
(Buff shoulder's courtesy of Davina McCall work out DVD.)

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Tuesday, 24 September 2013

NEW Avon Colour Attract Magnetic Nail Enamel - review + photos

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Time for another beauty review! I want to chat to you about a new nail product, Avon Colour Attract Magnetic Nail Enamel, which will be available in the UK from brochure 16.

Magnetic nail polish has been available for some time now, and Avon have decided to release their own. I enjoy using Avon's nail products and I always get excited when they release something new, so this was a must-try for me. There are currently 8 shades and 4 wands to choose from, but I'm sure Avon will release more if these are a hit! Most magnetic nail polishes have the magnet attached to the top of the lid, but Avon sell their polish and magnetic "wands" separately, so you can mix and match the designs and colours - Avon have done the maths for you; add up the combinations you get "32 ways to wow"!

All of the shades are gorgeous. I bought 2; "Rose Reflect" (perfect for this season's Autumn nails) and "Magnetic Metal". I also bought 2 wands, "Chevron" and "Wave". In retrospect I should have bought more shades - "Gold Rush" and "Lavender Lure" are defiantly on my to-buy list (I want all of them, actually)!

Image - below-right: Rose Reflect with Chevron magnetic wand and Magnetic Metal with Wave magnetic wand.
Image - below-left: Rose Reflect and Magnetic Metal without using magnetic wands.

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These polishes and magnetic wands are dead easy to use, but instructions are included anyway! Here's what you do;
  • Simply apply 2 coats of your chosen Colour Attract shade over a dry base coat.
  • While the nails are still wet, position the magnet over the nail for approximately 20 seconds - don't worry about moving the magnet accidentally and spoiling the design, the wand "rest" helps keep the magnet in place!
  • When dry, finish with a top coat to seal in your manicure. Voila!!!
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I'm really pleased with the results I achieved. The magnetic patterns are fun yet sophisticated, and they really do give a salon-style finish. Of course, you don't have to use the magnetic wands at all, you can wear the colours as they come without the magnetic designs and they still look fantastic, but when you use the wand it pulls the magnetic glittery particles together to create a stunning designs as well as striking contrast and high definition. The result: a professional-looking manicure without the salon price tag!!!
Avon's nail shades stay chip-free for up to 10 days, but you can use Avon Gel Strength Base Coat (click here to read my review) underneath the polish to prolong your nail colour further - I seriously can't praise the stuff enough!!!
When dry, finish your nails with a high-gloss top coat to seal in your manicure for longer and add extra impact. Avon Colour Attract polishes are super-fast drying - another bonus! These shimmering shades are packed with eye-catching glitter, but, unlike most glitter polishes, they're really easy to remove. :)

My conclusion: These polishes and magnets give you an on-trend, professional-looking manicure at home in minutes. Plus they're dirt cheap, dead simple and super-quick to use, and if you get them quick you'll be able to bag them for the introductory price of £3!!! I love them! What more can I say?

Avon Colour Attract Magnetic Nail Enamel and Magnetic Nail Enamel Wands will be available in the UK from Avon Brochure 16. Click here to view nail products on avonshop.co.uk.

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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Image - below: My nails painted with Avon Colour Attract Magnetic Nail Enamel in "Rose Reflect" / Effect achieved using "Wave" Magnetic Wand.
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Image - below: Usually I'd have a photo of myself here, but instead I'd like to share a photo of my beautiful new Indian Ringneck Parakeet, Alife! He's soon to be a great talker!
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Sunday, 15 September 2013

♥Nails Inc - Luminous Red Metallic; review + photos♥

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The popular nail product brand, Nails Inc, have teamed up with Colgate to offer this fab deal to Boots customers:
FREE full size Nails Inc Luminous Red nail polish when you purchase Colgate Max White One toothpaste from Boots.
It's another fantastic Boots deal that I couldn't afford to miss! CLICK HERE to view the deal.

I haven't started on the toothpaste yet, I'll give you some feedback when I do, but I have used the polish, so let me tell you a bit about it. :)

There are two shades available, Luminous Red Matte and Luminous Red Metallic. I went for Metallic as I have some matte reds already, but I love it so much that I'm planning on returning to Boots to acquire the matte one, too!

Image - above-right; Nails Inc Luminous Red Metallic appears a stunning vivid red-orange when it reflects bright sunlight.

The shade itself is gorgeous. It's a classic bright red, which I believe you can't go wrong with. Bright reds seem to suit anyone, work with any outfit, and look great all year round. The metallic finish gives it a modern edge, and allows the polish reflect a spectrum of ever-changing colours when exposed to different sources of light. The top-right image shows the polish in strong sunlight, reflecting a vivid shade of red that appears almost orange in tone - stunning! The image below was taken indoors in dull natural light. As you can see, the polish appears a darker, more seductive red.

The coverage is great. It's almost opaque with just one coat, but I applied two coats for a flawless and longer-lasting finish. It looks a little dull when dry, so add a super-glossy top coat to give a high-shine finish and to prolong it's wear.

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The wear is impressive, too. I applied Avon Gel Strength Base Coat (click for review), followed by 2 coats of Nails Inc Luminous Red Metallic, finished with a single coat of Collection 2-in-1 Top Coat. I found that for 2 days there were no signs of wear. On day 3 there were signs of wear beginning to show, but they were very minimal and barely noticeable, just a few chips around the edges (see images - right & below). If your nails are in better condition than mine and your hands see less work, then you'll get even better wear out of it than I did!

Image - right; Nails Inc Luminous Red Metallic appears a darker, seductive red when seen indoors in natural light. After 3 days it only shows minimal signs of wear.

I'm going to keep this review short and sweet. If I get my hands on the Luminous Red Matte polish I'll be sure to add it to this review, and keep your eyes out for my thoughts on Colgate Max White One!

Image - below; I took this photo in a mirror! I am wearing Nails Inc Luminous Red Metallic, which shows only minimal signs of wear after three days. My "D" hand tattoo stands for my partner's initial.
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Friday, 30 August 2013

Avon Opal Top Coat - review + photos [Apologies for corrupted "4-in-1" image!]

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Nail polishes are probably my favorite beauty products to review, purely because I bloody love the stuff! Having a flash manicure has to be the ultimate accessory.
Today I'm reviewing one of my recent Avon purchases, the Avon Opal Top Coat. If you're looking for a fun, fashionable finish for your manicure then give this stuff a whirl. I love opals and things with an opalescent finish, so this was a must-have for me! The  the Opal is my birth stone, you know. ;)

Let's discuss it in a little more detail. This new Avon product is a nail top coat consisting of a clear polish with a high-shine finish, and infused with eye-catching opalescent "confetti" sparkles. It's bang on trend at the moment,
and, although I hate to say it as we're only in August, it's a winner for the Christmas party season.
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As always, I've added my own high-res images to this review so you can see how the stuff looks for yourself. Click on the photos to view larger versions in better quality!

Image - above-right: Avon Opal Top Coat over 5 shades of Avon Nailwear Pro+. Shade names from left - right (thumb nail first); Decadence, Inky Blue, Noir Emerald, Real Red, Orchid Splash.
Image - below-right: Avon Opal Top Coat worn alone photographed from various angles in different lighting.

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Image - above: My manicure using No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in "Winter Tale" and a coat of Avon Opal Top Coat on my ring finger. Click here for my No7 "Winter Tale" review!

I tested this product over 5 shades of Avon Nailwear Pro+ (image - above-right), and I wore it over No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in "Winter Tale" (click here for my review!) on my ring finger to add some subtle sparkle to my manicure (image - above). I chose varied colours to show you what the Opal Top Coat looks like over a range of shades and finishes. Personally, I think it looks best when paired with "Inky Blue" (usually a very deep metallic blue, but my photo makes it look almost black, sorry!) and "Noir Emerald" (possibly my favorite Nailwear Pro+ shade). I also think it looks pretty good with "Decadence". I don't think the lighter shades, "Real Red" and "Orchid Splash", contrast as well with the opalescent sparkles. However, I do think it compliments No7's "Winter Tale" (click here for my review), it seems to complete the manicure, and it adds a touch of fun sparkle without looking cheap. What do you think? It's advertised as a top coat, but you can wear it alone for a more subtle look. I've added a "4-in-1" image to show you the polish in different lighting from various angles (image - below-right).
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The opal "confetti" comes out slightly uneven in various shapes and sizes, but I believe that to be part of it's charm. It certainly makes in more interesting, and you'll always get a unique finish!
A little polish goes a long way. I personally think 1 - 2 coats is plenty, any more and I think it would look tacky and peel easily.
Speaking of peeling, this stuff has fantastic wear. I wore 2 coats over 1 coat of Avon Gel Strength Base Coat (the stuff is a dream; click here to read my review), and it lasted 4 days before I noticed even the smallest signs of wear, which was a little pe
eling around the cuticles of some nails.

There's not much more to say really, so I'll keep this one short and sweet! I can't fault this polish at all. It's on-trend, it's eye-catching, it's a great way to add a unique finish to your usual manicure, and it's dirt cheap.


It's a Party Season must-have!❄ (Loving the snowflake symbols.)




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By Tuesday T. Bryan.



Image - below: Just a recent snap of myself. :) Annoyed that my leopard-print hair clip is showing, but otherwise I feel it's a rather aesthetically pleasing photo, even if I do say so myself. ;)
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Sunday, 21 July 2013

☆Avon Nail Experts Gel Strength Base Coat - Review + photos of my manicure miracle product!!!☆

Source:
http://avonshop.co.uk/
I've been saying for a while now that I'll publish a review of Avon Nail Experts Gel Strength Base Coat (a great product, but why did they have to give it such a long name?). When looking through my blog's private statistics I can see that a lot of people are searching for an honest review of this popular nail polish, so here it is!
From my experience of this product, I actually think Avon are understating this stuff's power. It has absolutely worked wonders on my nails. I can't stress how thankful I am from it!

Avon say...
"Treat your nails to an at-home manicure without the beauty parlour price! Sheer pink-toned gel makes nails 92.5% stronger and gives them a shiny finish." http://avonshop.co.uk/


Let's jump back to 4 months ago... me and my partner spend a week in the freezing cold extra-long winter of 2012/13 "fixing" my car's body work and some stuff under the bonnet (you'll be surprised what you can achieve with WD40, Duct Tape, and industrial-strength super glue).
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My nails were already in poor condition, and all the chemicals, hands-on work, cold weather, and extra hand washing made my nails deteriorate dramatically. Click the photo to the right to see how poor my nail condition was for yourself! It was impossible for my nails to grow - they were so weak that whenever the slightest length was achieved they would break almost instantly. Thin, brittle, dry and peeling, something had to be done!

Previously I would have donned the OPI Original Nail Envy or No7 So Strong, but I fancied something new, so I bought a bottle of Gel Strength Base Coat from Avon. Dramatic as it may sound, it turned out to be one of the best beauty-related decisions I've ever made.

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When I first used this product I would apply 2 coats, then I would remove and re-apply it when I noticed signs of wear. While my nails were in such bad condition I wore Gel Strength alone, I didn't want to draw any unwanted attention to my nails while they looked so unhealthy! The photo to the right shows my nails after the first application of Gel Strength - just by giving them a good was and a glossy shine, they already look healthier! As my nail condition began to quickly improve, I would wear 1 coat rather than 2, and wear a nice shade of polish on top. :)
Personal tip: I always wash and dry my hands thoroughly after using nail polish remover - those chemicals can't be good for your nails, and polish won't apply or dry well on wet/damp nails!

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Here are the great results I noticed...
1. Overall nail condition improved dramatically in a short time frame. Check out the photo to the right to see how my had improved after just 6 weeks - immaculate!
2. Nails have grown more rapidly and improved strength has prevented breaking.
3. The nail surface appears smoother - this product could benefit those with uneven nail surface problems.
4. Wear it alone for instantly improved nail condition and an attractive glossy shine.
5. Prolongs the wear of any nail polish applied on top; Before I started using Gel Strength, any polish I wore would chip and peel within days of application, particularly around the tips and cuticles. Sometimes I wouldn't even get a days' wear out of it! But when I'm wearing this product under my polish the wear is improved dramatically. Colour seems to form a stronger bond to the Gel Strength than it does to the bare nail surface or other to base coats I've used. It makes your polish ultra-hard-wearing! This strong "bond" also makes it an excellent glue for nail decors and gemstones. 
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Image - right: In this photo I have been wearing this polish for 6 days, yet there are barely any signs of wear. The polish shown is Avon Nailwear Pro+ in "Blue Water Lilies".

I literally have no complaints about this stuff whatsoever. I have worn this it daily since I first applied it. I use it on my toes to prolong my pedicure now, too! The results I got from this product rival that of OPI Original Nail Envy and No7 So Strong, yet it's only a fraction of the price, so it's definitely worth a whirl! Not only are my nails in fantastic condition, but due to this stuff's ability to make any colour extra-hard-wearing, I no longer have to worry about manicure touch ups! I couldn't be without it. Thank you, Avon, for saving my nails!

Avon Nail Experts Gel Strength Base Coat is available online at http://avonshop.co.uk/ or from your Avon Representative.

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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

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