[Jamberry Swatch] Gala, Manicure & Pedicure

Another swatch from your resident Jamberry independent consultant :D!

This time I tried Gala. It is part glimmer/metallic and I'd been avoiding those because I just didn't know what to think of foil on my nails. It is a twist on the traditional chevron, so I decided to give it a try because I really liked the color combination :).

My two cents: Glimmer finishes are shiny and look awesome when applied well. However, I could see that it wore a little (I could see tiny, tiny wrinkles) but these were only visible through my macro shots. A normal person would just see the pretty and not see anything wrong. So that's a definite plus. Application was definitely different. I'm not sure whether I heated it too much or not, but there were wrinkles that bothered me. I fixed most of them with more heat and pressure, but some just stayed so I gave up on them. You might not be able to tell by the pictures...but you know how it is...it looks fine to everyone else but you know every single flaw in the application and stare at them for days...haha.

I did a pedicure, too! Took a while to cut them all, but now I've got matching digits. And who doesn't love matching?

Picture time!

Gala, full sheet:

Gala, full sheet (macro):

Gala, full sheet (macro), reflection:

Gala on nails:

Gala on nails, macro:

Gala on both hands:

Gala on toes:

Gala on toes & hands:

That's the end of my picture spam! Thoughts? How do you guys like glimmer/metallic finishes? Praises? Issues? Let me know :).

**Note that the opinions in this blog are solely my own and are not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC**

[Jamberry Swatch] Egyptian Sol

Hi everyone! Today is Mani Monday! Well, it is in some places, anyway! Haha. I swatched 'Egyptian Sol' for you. I liked the color combo, and while it's not on everyone's list (everyone wanted sparkles, but who doesn't?), I did like its colors and decided to give it a try.

Egyptian Sol reminds me of mummies because of the lines in the pattern. But it also seems more Fall to me than the StyleBox exclusive. It's probably because of the orange.

The only thing I did not like about this wrap was the horizontal-line pattern. Since I do not shape my nails into a squoval or square shape (mine's round), the lines don't flatter the edge of my nail too much. In fact, the wrap pattern happened to end up on the white part of the wrap near the edge of some of my nails making it look like I filed it funny. But I'm sure if you have normal squoval nails, it'll look great.

Also, it doesn't help that the catalog picture has a different color scheme. I only noticed it after I checked up on it a week later...

Catalog Picture:

The wrap itself is of the normal wrap finish. There is no sparkle or metallic features. On to the photos:

'Egyptian Sol' sheet:

Left Hand:

Right Hand:

Both Hands:

 Macro:

As you can see from the picture above where the white is ever-so-peeking from my 2 fingers, from far away I almost thought I filed off the blue too far in (I thought my nail was showing) but it was actually just the white part of the wrap. So then, with rounded nails, this may not look so well but if you have squoval or square nails, you wouldn't have this problem.

In any case, the wrap applied similarly like any other wrap since it didn't have a special finish. I do think it might usher in Fall because of the orange and I'm now thinking of pumpkins. Thoughts?

**Note: The opinions of this blog post are solely my own and are not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC.**

[Jamberry Swatch] September 2014 StyleBox combo

So...coming off of the heels of my last post, here is a swatch of the September StyleBox combo.

Which hand wore it best? Left? Right? Neither ?

Left hand:

Right hand:

Both hands:

Alright! Leave comments below on what you think! It's not a combo I would seek out, but I didn't have Happy-Go-Lucky in my stash so I'm totally OK with it. I'm also willing to try something at least once before putting it away.

Oh, StyleBox. What will October bring us? Hopefully something Fall-related as September's makes me think of candy. I await thee.

**The opinions in this blog post are solely my own and are not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC**

[Jamberry] September 2014 StyleBox Unboxing!

Hello! The September StyleBox has reached most of the subscriber's mailboxes and if you would like to see me unbox it, here's the video:

If you don't want to watch it or you don't feel like hearing me talk, just take a look at the pictures below:

Packaging:

What's Inside:

Exclusive Item:

Catalog Item:

Combo:

Alright folks! There you have it! I'll put on a combo sometime next week. First impressions? Yay? Nay? Does it look like the start of Fall? Or does it just make you think of candy? Let me know :).

**Note that these opinions and this blog post is solely my own and is not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC**

[Jamberry Swatch] 'Check It Out', September SSE

Hello all! 

Today's swatch is the monthly Sister's Style Exclusive, 'Check It Out'. This wrap is fairly simple in terms of its finish; no sparkle, just plain old color. Since it does not have a special finish, it doesn't require any extra long heating times nor does it need more pressure than usual. It was a pretty easy application. It echoes "Rubik's Cube" and is, again, perfect for the back-to-school vibe. See pictures below!

'Check it Out' on the sheet:

 On hands:

Macro:

Ok folks, what did you think? Would you wear it? I really LOVE patterns. I was never a girl for solid finishes and I love geometric patterns so this one is really up my alley. I imagine I'll have it on for a few days until I switch it out to swatch the September StyleBox for you :). 

**This post is my opinion only and all information presented here is not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC**

[Jamberry Swatch] Neptune, More Detailed How -To Application Pictorial

Hello from your resident Jamberry Nails independent consultant!

While waiting for my bulk order to come in with some of the new Fall designs, I decided to put on an old favorite, Neptune. It is not retired, so it's available in the current Fall/Winter catalog! I love the color blue, so I decided to put this on. Since I haven't really done a pictorial how-to before, I'll do it for you guys in this post. There are so many different tips/tricks out there so this is just the "skeleton" of the basics. Let's get right on to it!

After washing your hands with soap & water, pushing your cuticles back and swiping them with alcohol to get the dirt out, we can get started!

1) Size the strip to your finger. Make sure the wrap is ever so slightly smaller than your nail! One of the biggest beginner errors is to find a wrap that is exactly the shape of your nail. Beware! This will result in bubbling at the sides. When the wrap is heated, it can expand, and that's why you would want a wrap that is slightly smaller. I will illustrate this in a later step.

2) Cut the strip in half if your nail length can afford it. This is obviously an optional step if your nails are long. If you like math and numbers like I do, here it is: The strip is 1.5" long, so cutting it in half would make them 0.75" long. If either your left or right nail is longer than 0.75" long, you will not be able to cut the strip in half.

3) Peel it off using a tweezer. Using your fingers will mean your greasy finger oil or any dirt could get on the adhesive, so use a tweezer! The corporate Jamberry website tells you to use an orange stick, but I find that using a tweezer is a little more user-friendly.

4) Heat it up using your heat source. Most people who will try out Jamberry nail wraps have a hair dryer, so you can use that. Make sure the adhesive part of the strip is facing the heat. This will keep it from sticking to the tweezer if it blows backwards. I typically use it on the lowest strength but on the hottest setting. It takes about 7-10 seconds to get it flexible. You'll notice when the strip becomes more pliable looking.

5) Place the strip on your nail, making sure you do not touch the cuticle or the sides of the nail.

6) Press down with fingers or using a cuticle pusher. I use my hands because it works for me. Some people swear by the cuticle pusher. Use what works for you or what is available. I usually work my way down one side and then to the other side making sure I've flattened the strip with no bubbles.

7) Wait until the strip is COOL, then trim the strip close to the nail. Patience is key! Make sure it is cool. If your nail is very short, trim the strip right up to where the nail is. Make sure the wrap is flush or the actual nail is longer than the wrap. If the wrap extends past the nail, it might lift!

8) File down the excess. Obviously if your nail is short and you already trimmed it, this step is unnecessary. But if your nail is not super short, you file DOWNWARD the excess at a 90 degree angle to 'seal' the tip.

9) Optional (not pictured). You can reheat your nail and press down if you want to make sure it sticks.

10) Repeat & your Jamicure is complete! Nobody can deny a well done Jamberry nail manicure! Pat yourself on the back!

OK!! I hope these pictures make it a little clearer on how you'd apply this. And I hope you enjoyed this Jam swatch!

**This post is solely my opinion and not the responsibility of Jamberry Nails, LLC**