(The offerings in this blog post were gifted to me in exchange for photos; all thoughts are my own)
Hi everyone. I hope March has been treating you well. We have been enjoying warmer weather here in North Carolina, finally, but are now also dealing with “The Pollening.” I’ve never experienced pollen seasons like this when I lived in Florida. There are footprints left in the pollen when I walk… crazy.
Another month, another Polish Pickup blog post! April’s inspiration is “Album Covers.” It’s been so much fun to see what has inspired the makers. Someone should make a Spotify playlist of the inspirations! I have offerings from Kathleen & Co and Glisten & Glow. You can see swatch videos of these offerings on my YouTube channel or Instagram page!
Kathleen & Co: Ray Of Light
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 750 bottles
“Ray Of Light” is a solar that shift from aqua to blue with aqua/green to blue shifting shimmer.
I am wearing it in 3 coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat. I use a UV flashlight for the solar transition.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2-3; may need the third coat to fully cover nail line.
- Top Coats: One without UV absorbers Etocrylene and Benzophenone-1; I use Alchemy Lacquer’s Solar Shine QDTC (purchased).
- Nail Art: Would be a beautiful base or “paint!”
- Time: Dries very quickly!
Before I dive in, I just want to say how I love that the inspiration for this polish (“Ray Of Light” by Madonna) is a play on words for solar-transitioning polishes, like this one.
I think this is one of the first solar polishes I’ve featured on my blog! I love solar polishes, they are super fun, especially if you regularly spend time outside. For those who have never heard of them, solar polishes change colors when exposed to UV light. Think of transitions you get with thermal polishes, but instead of changing with temperature, they change with UV exposure. They are fast-changing, meaning the second you start UV exposure or step into the sun, it’ll only take a second or two to fully transition into the solar color. When you take away UV exposure or step out of the sun, they’ll go back to their “original” color in about a minute or so.
I’ll admit, I was a little underwhelmed when this one was announced. It just didn’t seem that interesting aside from the solar aspect. However, my tune changed when I put it on. It’s not necessarily a “unique” polish, but it is timeless in its colors and shimmer. I feel like the base, non-UV color is like an upgraded Tiffany blue with the added shimmer. It’s very flattering on my skin tone and I would wear it without UV exposure any day. The darker blue solar transition is also incredibly eye-catching, and I love seeing it transition between the two. It’s perfect for the upcoming summer!
As typical with a solar polish, “Ray Of Light” dries very matte; you can see this in my swatch reel in between coats. Therefore, I would recommend a UV-friendly top coat to gloss it up if that bothers you (this would also make it last longer). I almost stopped at two coats as it applied super easily and even, but I noticed just a touch of my bare nail right on the edge, so I opted for a third thin coat.
In therms of nail art, I have indeed used solar polishes as my “paint” of choice for intricate details. Give this one a try! I could see this as a beautiful sky transitioning to a nighttime scene as the base, or maybe some magic swirls as the highlight of the nail.
“Ray Of Light” in indoor studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Remember Two Things
Price: $14.00 | Cap: None
“Remember Two Things” is a purple and green multi-dimensional magnetic polish that once magnetized reveals a glowy purple/teal/green/pink/blue pull and a red/pink/orange larger particle shimmer.
I am wearing it in 2 coats with a glossy top coat. From thumb-to-pinky: ring magnet, cat-eye, ring magnet, velvet, unmag’d.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2 coats is perfect!
- Magnetization: Non-velvet effects to see all the shifts in the magnetic pigment.
- Top Coats: Your normal top coat is perfect!
- Nail Art: A beautiful base for nail art.
- Time: Dries quickly but magnetizing each layer will make it a longer mani.
Glisten & Glow has been on a freaking roll recently with her magnetic polishes! And she is so consistent with her formulas. This one is no different. It’s quite opaque already in one coat, but you probably will want to go up to two to get the base color just a bit darker and fuller. The magnetic pigment is also extremely shifty and easy to magnetize. Because the pigment has so many different color shifts, I would highly recommend going with magnetizations like the cat-eye or ring magnet effects (so an effect where you can see the base color). It just seemed more interesting to me and did the polish elements justice in those styles.
I was shocked by those tiny little fiery flecks in this polish! With the cooler tones in the magnetic pigment, these flecks add so much dimension and uniqueness to an already beautiful base. If you love those night-sky looking magnetics, you’ll love this interesting polish.
“Remember Two Things” in indoor studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Glitter Grabber
Price: $10.50 | Cap: None
Glitter Grabber is an amazing product that gets applied after any glitter or flakie dense manicure is done and it’s fully dry and before your top coat. It aids in creating a smoother surface for your top coat or matte top coat all while grabbing that extra texture!
Have you ever wondered how there are beautiful, glittery manicures that look so smooth? You can get that same, glossy look without the salon with Glisten & Glow’s Glitter Grabber! Glitter Grabber will allow you a smooth base to put your glossy top coat on to make polishes with elements, like reflective glitter or large flakes, shine. I have also used this on nail art that is particularly textured – just make sure to put a nail art top coat on before Glitter Grabber, then you’re good to go!
This is a must-have in my collection as I can’t get enough sparkles in my life.
Glisten & Glow: Cuticle Oil & Remover Pen Duo (Scent: “Cucumber Lime”)
Price: $12.50 | Cap: None
The Cuticle Oil pen comes in the scent “Cucumber Lime” which is a blend of fresh lime, bergamot, mandarin, coconut and vanilla with bottom notes of sandalwood and musk.
If you have never used cuticle oil before, it is another staple that I have in my collection. In fact, I have random bottles and pens scattered around my house to oil wherever I am! (Yes, I probably have a cuticle oil problem). Here are some benefits to cuticle oil:
- Hydrates cuticles, nail plate, eponychium, hyponychium and proximal nail fold
- Soften and protect all the above areas
- Stimulate nail growth
- Improve texture of all the above areas
- Increase nail flexibility, preventing breakage
- Daily nail care maintenance
When I use the cuticle oil pens, I like to put plenty of cuticle oil on my nail, under my nail tip, and on the skin around my nails. I then massage it in with my fingers. I will usually soak up the excess with some hand moisturizer.
The scent is super light and calming! Usually “lime” scents are very strong to me, but this is very refreshing and slightly tropical.
The remover pen is also very easy to use and is very good at removing my cuticles. If you’ve never used Glisten & Glow’s cuticle remover before, you put a generous amount on the bottom of your nail and the around the edges, and allow it to sit for let sit for 60 seconds. Gently push back your cuticles with your favorite nail tool – I like to use a plastic one from Olive & June from the drugstore (purchased). Once you’re done, wash your hands with soap and warm water!
Those are the offerings I have for your this month! Apologies for no pictures of the Glitter Grabber or Cuticle Oil & Remover Pen Duo from Glisten & Glow. I will have them again in the future, and hopefully I can create some small reels or shorts that show you how to apply them and what they really do for your nails.
♥ Tori
