Show Me Your Nails 2.0

[Tamara76]

Due to some technical glitches with the original Show Me Your Nails Thread, I am starting a new thread with @vegchililover78's blessing (She says "hello," by the way!).

Please share your nail looks, nail art and manicures!

...And don't forget to check out @Beadshopgirl's Nail Stamping Thread for stamping inspiration! ❤️  

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Nailed-It/The-Nail-Stamping-Thread/m-p/3328865

[RGbrown]

@itsfi 

That Ella+ Mila set was a lot fun (very sheer though, so be prepared for that if you get it)!

[itsfi]

Good to know @RGbrown; thank you! I find that I prefer the brand's toppers more than the polishes but the sheerness of a couple of these is what is drawing me to them - all for specific mani's I have in mind, so I should think it through more carefully before picking up one. I mean, it's not like I don't have any other polishes that might work as well. 🙄😂

[RGbrown]

@itsfi 

I know the feeling! I had talked myself out of this set multiple times because I have most of the colors already and didn't need more jellies, and you see how that went 😂

If you have the right colors but just want them more sheer, you can play with mixing a few drops with some clear polish and see if that scratches the itch.

[itsfi]

Oh, that is a brilliant idea @RGbrown! Thank you! I will do just that and see if it gets me the look / finish I'm looking for. Thanks again!

[jaaayp]

@RGbrown good tips! 👍 i always appreciate your thoughtful responses!!! I know what you mean. But I think these were just bad. The pink my ring finger was a purple that never showed up so that polish was dead to me 🔫 even your sheerest sheers are waaaay more pigmented than these. Think of these as literally just cream with no pigment. They also dont have that glassy finish look i like... I would have loved to show you a picture of what they looked like first coat (it looks nothing like your 2nd picture) but theyre already gone and I only used 4 to 5 coats to get rid of the streaks and get them even. They didnt level out and brushing over it just made streaks worse..... It's my fault though, they were on an incredible sale during prime and knowing they were no name, I bought it anyway 🤣 

[RGbrown]

@jaaayp 

I think I've confused myself; indulge my asinine question? Are they too opaque for you or too sheer for you?

Because I see plenty of pigmentation (color) with a bit of nail line (meaning they aren't a cream, though they aren't quite a true jelly either as the nail line would be much more visible, so they're somewhere on the crelly spectrum). Perhaps not *good* jellies that let you get by with fewer coats, but they're jelly/crelly.

4-5 coats for even coverage is ridic, I agree. Jellies can be streaky, it's part of the sheerness and something brands have to work hard to perfect; good brands do it pretty well, others not so much. But from what I can see, you did a good job working around that trouble!

Topcoat is where the shine comes from! (Or on my swatch sticks, it's actually the plastic, I swatch them all on the bottom of the spoon so I don't have to waste topcoat on them lol) Some pigments just dry matte, regardless of the formulation of the base. And those E+M swatches sticks have four coats to build up the color; they will never get opaque (well, the deepest one might because the pigment itself is so dark, but not the rest), just a little brighter/deeper in color with additional coats...they are true jellies that I had to put something more opaque under when I wore them. 

[jaaayp]

@RGbrown it's too sheer! It doesn't build any colpe intensity in color until coat #3.. and by then the polishes become opaque. It looks like a regular polish but maybe mixed in with clear gloss? Have you ever tried? It's not crelly as you would think it would be. At least in gel polishes? Gel polishes have jelly gel polishes where the shine is super apparent 🤔 which is pretty much all that I bought, just not in the brand I usually buy. idk if you're using gel, if you are, I would love some recs. The only one that really lives up to the hype that I've found is GAOY. Even without a top coat, it's shiny but I have to put on a top coat on gel because without it, the polishes cure sticky. I think they're made in Korea where jelly polishes really got popular. 

[RGbrown]

@jaaayp 

Ha, that's exactly how jellies are made...start with a clear base and just add a hint of pigment. Some brands add more pigment, leading to a richer, more vivid color and a bit more opacity, but that's the basic premise 😋

I have dabbled in gel in the past, but don't use it currently. Honestly though, after all the research I've done, I'd stay away from any of the cheap AliExpress/Amazon brands. Gel is more dangerous than most folks realize, and if I were to get back into it, it would be with a company that's much more transparent about educating their customers.

Gel is supposed to cure sticky, it's called the inhibition layer. The only products that won't have that are no-wipe topcoats. 

[Mellmars1185]

@jaaayp They look pretty! Sorry to hear they are not the formula you chose.

[jaaayp]

Thank you @Mellmars1185 🥰

[Titian06]

The colors are pretty, @jaaayp ! 🥰  However, I can understand your disappointment.  I don't care for sheers either; and when you were expecting something else, that makes it even more disappointing.  Wishing you better luck with your other sets! 🍀🐎

[jaaayp]

I actually love sheers! Semi sheers. These just had absolutely no pigment! Thank you @Titian06 🥰

[CattyT3]

The turquoise + deep brown color combination still has me in tight grip! Took inspiration from a few posts on here this summer and tried my hand at the sparkly glitter tips.
Colleague's friend has a super talented wife who finally was able to move to the US after a few months of waiting and casually offered to do my mehendi (henna) when I mentioned I always love getting it done whenever I get a chance - she made the application look effortless!

[Kim888]

thats so beautiful @CattyT3 !

[JoSometimes]

Love the colour @CattyT3! It’s so bright and summery!

[jaaayp]

@CattyT3 mermaid vibes!!! 🧜‍♀️ 

[Titian06]

Your nails are beautiful, @CattyT3 ! 🥰  Turquoise and brown are a great combo.  The henna is lovely!  I don't think I've ever seen it on someone before. 💖💖💖

[itsfi]

I love the effect you created with pairing the turquoise and brown colors together and with that fun sparkly topper @CattyT3 - it looks gorgeous ❣️ That henna - ohhh! It's stunning. How beautiful is that detailing?!! 😍

[RGbrown]

@CattyT3 

Ahhhh, I can't decide which I like more, your nails or the henna...both are gorgeous! 😍

[itsfi]

Well said @RGbrown @CattyT3 

[Mellmars1185]

@CattyT3 Beautiful nails and henna