Entries from February 2010 ↓

These are simple yet elegant nail art designs. The tools needed are dotting tool or Nail Art by Adoree, crystal rhinestones in different sizes and sheer glitter nail polish like Adoree #237 Ice Mist.

Source: Nail and design by Kakimoto Arms 2009 Winter Nail Book.

NEW! Now we have Adoree French Manicure Kit and Adoree Nail Art Set to save you more. Adoree French Manicure Kit contains one natural pink Adoree #223 and one white tip polish #150, plus french sticker guides (38 ct). It is only $10.95 (compare to $14.95 if bought per item).

Adoree Nail Art set contains 4 Adoree Nail Art for only $20/set (compare to $24 if bought separately). There are 8 sets to choose from. Fyi, Adoree Nail Art has a striper thin brush for painting nail art design.

Available at EsthersNC.com.

From now on, I’ll be posting photos of nail art designs that we come across on the internet. I hope this can be an inspiration for all nail art lovers.

Source: Nail and design by CherryVie from Nail Art Lover forum at Kaskus.us.

If you are into lace nail art design then this sticker is a quick way to get it. Each lace is 2″ long and embellished with many tiny crystals. Just cut to the length you want and stick it to your nail. You can also add other nail art accessories or sticker to build beautiful designs (shown on the photo on the left).  Available at Esther’s Nail Center in the 3D Nail Sticker section. Due to the high variety of this sticker we have in stock, you may receive a different pattern than the one on the picture.

Also available is lace heart sticker (photo above).

This is a continuation from previous article “Pinks from Adoree Nail Polish #1″. I’d like to present another set of 4 pinks from Adoree collection. These nail polishes are available at Esther’s Nail Center.

From left to right:

Adoree #143 Hot Lips – Just like it’s name this color is a hot pink with blue tone iridescent finish. More to satin look than glossy. It’s a vibrant color that would really show on nails.

Adoree #164 Rose Freeze – A perfect name for this pink since it hold a bit glitters in it. When applied on nail, it’ll show only subtle glitters.  A shimmer pastel pink. Because of the glitter characteristic, it may need some layers for even finish.

Adoree #212 Begonia -  I love this medium, dusty rose pink. It comes to a shimmer, almost metallic finish.

Adoree #213 Ribbon Pink – This is like the color of pale pink ribbon with subtle green iridescent look.  A very pale pink, similar to natural pink French Manicure.

Love pink? Couldn’t get enough?  Then wait for the next post of the other 4 pink shades.

Just arrived – Professional quality pre-designed nail tips for quick nail application. Also great for french manicure. Actual nail tips are prettier than shown on the photos. The glitter is very fine one with rainbow colors. There are 5-size tips, 20 ct for each size. Comes in a clear plastic compartment. Limited quantity. We have planned to bring more new designs in the future. Available at the Nail Art section.

How to use false nail tips for your french manicure:

1. Nails should be thoroughly cleaned and existing polish should be removed.
2. Use buffer and buff top of natural nail.
3. Choose the proper size of nail for each finger.
4. Apply 1/2 drop of nail glue down the center of the natural nail and spread it.
5. Place nail tip over natural nail and press down.
6. Trim nail tips to your designed length.
7. Add on overlay of your choice. Gently file the edge so the nail tip is even with your own nail.

Caution:

1. Do not apply on infected, weak or damaged nails.
2. Do not expose to heat or flame.
3. Leave a space between the cuticle and the nail tip
4. Keep out of reach of children.

In February we put on sale the Pure Tea Tree Oil. Take 50% off the regular price for $9.95 to just $4.98. While supplies last.

About Tea Tree Oil: A natural antiseptic and pure 100% essential tea tree oil. Combats everything from nail fungus to athlete’s foot. Contains 100% tea tree oil. May be applied full strength or diluted in water or other type of oil.

Q: What’s the difference between polish removers that contain acetone and those that don’t? Which is preferred?

A: Both acetone and non-acetone polish removers are solvents (which means they have the ability to dissolve other substances). The solvent acetone is never present in nail polish; non-acetone polish removers use solvents that are found in nail polish, usually a combination of solvents including butyl acetate and ethyl acetate.

As far as which is preferred, it’s really your personal preference. Acetone is stronger and takes polish off more easily, but it dries out the nails. So, if you use acetone it’s advisable to then use a cream or oil to replace the moisture. Acetone polish removers are preferred when prepping natural nails, since you want the natural oils removed at this stage of a manicure.

Non-acetone removers have an oily feel to them. They don’t dry out the nails as much. There’s also the issue of if one solvent is more harmful than another, but in my experience both, have such small concentrations and are used in such small amounts that no substantial harm is caused by either. – Faina Ritz is vice president of Duri Cosmetics.

Source: Nails Magazine November 2007.

More about Acetone polish remover, another post on Vampy Varnish blog titled “Acetone Nail Polish Remover: Friend or Foe?”,  is a great reading for you who want to dig more about the safety of this kind of remover.  Basically, the writer got an information from her uncle and aunt, who are both Scientists and had mentioned it could be bad for health. Then, she wrote in details the information, facts and her analysis on Acetone. I would be interested in knowing your opinions, so write me a comment.

At Esther’s Nail Center we have only natural and non-toxic nail polish remover:  Suncoat Natural Nail Polish Remover and Piggy Paint Non-Toxic Remover.

Suncoat Natural Nail Polish remover is an earth friendly product. It is naturally derived from farm crops (100% soya and corn based) and does not contain any petroleum ingredients. It is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and readily biodegradable. It works for both water-based nail polish and conventional nail polish. It is an excellent replacement for traditional chemical nail polish remover including acetone based polish remover or acetate based polish remover (so-called acetone-free remover).

Suncoat Ingredients: ethyl lactate (from corn fermentation), methyl soyate (from soya oil), vegetable glycerin, D-limonene (from orange)

Piggy Paint Non-Toxic Remover is non-toxic, odorless, made from natural ingredients, non-Acetone, Hypoallergenic and Biodegradable. It’s safe to use, and contains none of the solvents that could offend your nose or harm our atmosphere. Aloe Vera and Vitamin E are added to supplement the natural oils that protect nails and cuticles. This product is targeted to kids but can be used by anyone.

Piggy Paint Ingredients:  Methyl alcohol, butyl diglycol, aloe vera extract, Vitamin E, embittering agent.