Sally Hansen Salon Gel Starter Kit: Review

The Sally Hansen Gel Starter Kit proves once again why I love Sally Hansen products and why I was so excited to purchase this gel polish starter kit. 

Shellac has become very popular (read all about shellac here) and until now, was only available in salons. Many drugstore brands have recently brought a shellac line out, which is exciting as you can now do your own shellac at home without the expensive salon cost.

This kit was $40 purchased from Shoppers Drug Mart and came with a small LED light, gel nail strips in the colour “Shall We Dance,” and a shellac top coat. It also included two small alcohol wipes to remove the sticky layer that is left on the nail after “curing” or drying it for the last time. I personally prefer to purchase a big bottle of alcohol, available at a beauty supply outlet or drugstore. I wasn’t sure about paying so little for the LED light. The ones in salons go for around $400 so I was hoping that my $40 bargain would work just as well. Who can argue with such a great deal though! And let me tell you, the tiny light from this Sally Hansen gel starter kit does not disappoint. 

The Application Process:

The gel nail strips are meant to be applied, followed by the topcoat, as the strips are already dry. You are then supposed to place each nail under the light for 30 seconds a nail. I ended up hating the colour of the gel strips so I improvised.

Here's what I did:
1. One layer of your favourite base coat, I used Sally Hansen Double Duty.
2. Two layers of my favourite regular nail polish colour - Sally Hansen’s “Pacific Blue”
3. One coat of quick dry top coat.
4. Once my nails were dry, I applied the shellac topcoat.
5. Put each nail under the lamp for the required time.
6. Cleaned my nails with the alcohol wipe and voila!

My home-mani lasted for a week with no chips! The drawback is that because the machine is so small, it’s designed to dry one nail at a time instead of all of them at once. The positive is that it takes only 30 seconds per nail, which isn’t too long at all. It’s so simple to use. It has a small button on top and once you press it, the light goes on for 30 seconds as it is on a timer.

Speaking of Durability...

For two week wear you should do the gel strips that come with the Sally Hansen gel starter kit or gel polish, but I usually get bored with my colour after a week anyway. This machine worked just as well as the $400 ones, which I found amazing.

As long as you keep your machine in a safe place, as it does feel quite fragile, then it should last you for quite a while. This starter kit does not come with acetone, so make sure to pick some up separately. Sally Hansen has an acetone that is sold at any good drugstore, I usually find mine at Shoppers Drug Mart.

If you want an at-home shellac kit, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg then this Sally Hansen gel starter kit is for you. Don’t be fooled by the price, it works just as well as the more expensive ones! 

Buy Sally Hansen Gel Starter Kit in "Red My Lips"

About Shellac - All Your Questions Answered

With the Summer weather upon us, salon's become especially busy as sandal season is here and every girl needs pretty looking fingers and toes they can show off on the beach. I have been doing many shellac manicures at work lately. If you are a newbie and don’t know much about shellac, it can simply be described as a gel nail polish that lasts 2 to 3 weeks with a high shine and no chips. I am going to answer some common questions that ladies ask me often, as well as give you at home tips to make your shellac manicure last longer.

What is shellac?
So, I have mentioned that it is a gel nail polish, but what does that mean exactly? Shellac consists of a 50:50 ratio of gel polish to regular polish. This means that it is not a concentrated gel, but stronger that a regular polish.

How is it applied?
One thing about shellac is that it is applied just as you would regular polish, starting with a base coat, two coats of polish, then a top coat. The difference comes after the application. Your nails will be placed under a UV light to “cure” or dry them.

What is a “dry” manicure?
A dry manicure is done before the shellac application. This just means that your nails will not be soaked in warm water as with a regular manicure and that the massage cream and cuticle oil will be applied at the end after the shellac has been applied. A dry manicure is essential, because the nails need to be completely dry to ensure better adhesion of the polish, as well as longer wear.

Can the UV light cause skin cancer?
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this about shellac. Personally, I feel that your hands are put under the light for such a short time that it shouldn’t cause any problems. If you are a shellac “addict” and do your nails every 2 to 3 weeks, then you can take SPF with you to the salon and request that it be applied to your hands before placing them under the light. If you have any dark or prominent moles on your hand or fingers, cover it with a small band-aid.

Why is alcohol sprayed onto the nail once it comes out of the machine?
Whenever I do this on a newbie shellac client, their eyes always widen and they worry that I am removing their polish, hehe. I’m often tempted to play it up! The alcohol simply removes the sticky layer of the gel that is left on the nail. Once the sticky layer is removed, the nails are dry underneath. Voila! No dry time is a bonus indeed.

Will shellac damage my nails?
Women have difference opinions on this. Shellac may be a gel nail polish, but it is far less concentrated than regular gel, meaning little to no damage to the nails. If you have very weak or brittle nails, then constant shellac applications may slightly weaken them further. I recommend getting shellac for a special occasion, like a wedding or a vacation, or alternating between regular manicures and shellac manicures, to allow your nails to breathe in-between. I do not have the strongest nails, but one thing I’ve noticed about shellac that I’ve done on myself is that it has caused no damage.

Can I remove it myself?
It is best to go into a salon and get it removed, as shellac can only be removed with pure acetone. You can, however, remove it yourself at home with acetone. I will do a post soon showing DIY steps.
*Don’t ever peel your shellac off as this can cause damage*

Can I get a French mani done with shellac?
You definitely can! I recently did a brides French manicure and it turned out fabulous. Shellac is a high-shine polish that is just gorgeous, especially with a French mani.

Are there a big variety of colours?
There are quite a few brands of different shellac polishes. My favourite, and the original, is the CND brand as they have a vast variety of colours and are continually coming out with new ones.

Here are a few of their colour selections: CND COLOURS

Tips How To Make Your Shellac Manicure Last Longer

*Wear gloves when washing dishes, cleaning, or gardening.

*Moisture is essential to keep the nails supple, ensuring that your shellac lasts longer. Apply hand lotion throughout the day and cuticle oil at night before bed. 

Shellac is great if you have a special occasion and can’t risk chipping polish, or if you just want a manicure that lasts.  When you book in for a shellac manicure, don’t be afraid to ask questions and use the knowledge I have provided about shellac to your advantage!

Polished nails are happy nails! Give shellac a try and let me know what you think.

Acne Marks Remedy: A Simple And Fruity Way To Getting Rid Of Unwanted Marks

There are so many little tricks and remedies out there promising to help clear up your skin. Do they all work though? Well, I am going to tell you about a beauty secret that I learned a little while ago and can tell you has made a definite improvement to the look of my skin.

“Well get to it!” I hear you all saying…

Banana Peels!

Huh? If you are confused don’t worry, so was I! 

Why banana peels?

Bananas are not just good for eating, they are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that are great for your skin, making this the perfect acne marks remedy!

Here’s how you do it:

1.Buy a whole lot of bananas
2.Start with a cleansed face, no moisturiser. 
3.Rub the INSIDE of a banana peel over any spots or pesky acne marks.
4.Repeat, until banana peel turns brown.
5.Leave on for 30 minutes (or overnight for maximum effect).
6.Rinse and moisturise!

How often do you do it?

For optimal results you should do this 3X a day. HOWEVER, if you are like me, and cannot face the day without your face (if you know what I mean!) then only use this acne marks remedy before doing your makeup in the morning, right after cleansing your skin. No time in the morning? Just leave the treatment on for 5 minutes or leave it on as an overnight treatment instead.

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you struggle with your skin in any way, I hope you will give it a go! I’ve been doing this treatment for over a month and have already noticed visible differences. 

If you’ve ever tried this natural method before, let me know in the comments below, or if you’re looking for a natural acne marks remedy, banana peels are the way to go!

Your Next Beauty Must Have: Rosebud Salve Review - Best Lip Balm For Chapped Lips

I won this little magic pot of rosebud balm salve through a blog giveaway and I have become quite addicted to this stuff. I've been using it for a while and can say without a doubt it is a beauty must have. So here's a little review, and may I say a rave one at that!

Welcome to the beauty arena, the upgraded version of Vaseline, Vaseline 2.0. Smiths Rosebud Salve has a petroleum base with a trade secret blend of essential oils and smells like roses! Such a pleasant smell to have on your lips if you're having an Au-naturel makeup day. Oh and it's pink! Don't be fooled though, while it looks pink in the tub, this colour doesn't transfer onto your lips so if you already have a bold lipstick on, dabbing this rosebud salve over top won't alter the colour you're going for.

While it works magnificently on chapped lips, it doesn't stop there! You can use Smiths Rosebud Salve on any dry skin areas you have, like elbows or heels of your feet. It can be used to soothe mild burns and if you have a baby it can even be used for diaper rash. I even use a drop on a q-tip to smooth my brows!

Does It work?

It works like a charm! Chapped lips today? Smooth gorgeous lips tomorrow, with what is easily the best lip balm for chapped lips! I carry it around with me everywhere. It's so versatile and the small pot is so convenient.

Verdict:

This is one product I will buy again and again. It is so worth it!

Buy Smiths Rosebud Salve on Amazon here.

How To Fix Dry Hair With Saryna Key - Keratin Treatment

I've mentioned in a few of my previous posts how to fix dry hair and that hair treatments are essential to repairing dry and damaged hair. By far, Saryna Key Keratin Treatment is my favourite!
(image source)

Saryna Key treatment contains Vitamins A, E and F as well as amino acids and Keratin. Keratin delivers softness, flexibility and shine to the hair while amino acids strengthen and repair.

This treatment smells divine. It has a fruity kind of smell and feels so luxurious when applied to the hair. When you wash your hands after applying it, you will notice a moisture film that stays on the hands. This is from the Shea butter, which is known for its intensive moisturizing properties. Shea butter is used in many body washes as well as body lotions for this reason. Shea butter in your hair treatment is a sure guarantee of super silky, soft locks, not to mention a sure way to fix dry hair.

Be careful though. Unless you have extremely thick, unruly hair, then just use a small amount or your hair might fee greasy. Also, only apply from middle to ends as it can weigh your roots down, which means a lack of volume. Used the right way though, this treatment will make your hair look and feel beautiful. I noticed a difference the first time. It makes my hair feel thicker and stronger and way more manageable.

You will pay around $45 to $50 for the 160oz but it is definitely worth the price! It lasts for months and this is the perfect treatment with multiple benefits.

Give it a try, and let me know what you think! What are your best How To Fix Dry Hair solutions?

Purchase Saryna Key Pure African Shea Butter - Damage Repair .

Also before you go make sure you check out my other favourite products here.