Nail Theory

Hi Everyone!

Very much overdue for a blog post, so I thought I'd share a few nail designs that I've done over the past few months for different editorials!

Quick backstory to my "Nail Art", Nails were my obsession when I was younger, second only to a new tube of lipstick. At every chance I'd spend my allowance on little baggies of press on nails and sparkly nail art, I remember I used to be frustrated that my press-ons didn't look "thick" like some ladies nails. Until I finally discovered that it was acrylic and NOT 100 coats of nail polish, hey! Don't judge, I was thirteen!

It's fun having a third outlet for my creativity on set.

Aqua Glitter Nails

Gold Leaf Nails

Soft Nude Nails

Fishnet Nails

Galaxy Nails

Purple Drop Nails

Reverse Halfmoon Nails

Bionic Nails

nail art

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Product Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Bling It On

On the quest to find an affordable mani that lasts more than one second on my nails ( i can't!!!) I decided to give into the hype of Sally Hansen's Salon Effects.

I picked up a box of Bling it On which is a pink glitter ......duh!! LOL

The box comes with two packs of nail strips, 8 stickers in each, instruction sheet, cuticle stick and mini file.

Box contents

The instructions are pretty simple, clean nails with remover, match size of strip to nail, peel protective layer, stick, and file to remove excess.

Placing strip

First nail done!

My first hand went on pretty easy and I was dazzling in my pink sparklezzzzzz yay!!! The left hand was an b#$tch to get on ( I'm left handed) but I found even the strips were difficult in that they were tearing really easy when peeling off the paper layer in comparison to the right hand.

Reading the instructions more it suggested that warmer hands help, and I was working in a cold corner of my apt...so I think by the time I got to my left hand it was maybe too cold? I don't know...I'm guessing here.

So I finally got both hands done and only had to redo two on my left hand...and voila!!!

 SPARKLEZZZZZ

I loveeeeeeeeeee how it looks, and these come in MANY patterns and solid colours so it's fun choosing which one next!

I have five strips left over which I will use to repair/replace as I go along.

Left over pink sparklez makes Saj sad :( and no It can't be saved lol it dries up

The box says it lasts up to 10 days, and I'm pretty sure it CAN last that long if not more....of course as soon as I finished and went to the bedroom my index finger chipped and when I woke up a few more nails were chipped.

I'm typing this on day three of wearing them, I should also add that last night I had a sugar hand scrub and shea butter massage and the strips didn't budge. See below what it looks like now:

The strips are pretty sturdy once applied, even when I messed one up, it took a lot of scraping to get it off. I will say that I really don't judge nail products based on how it chips on MY nails...because my nails are on another level...who chips a STICKER within minutes?? I can't....

Application Tips:
-If you have cold hands, I'd suggest using a blowdryer on a low heat setting to warm the strips up AFTER you've applied it but BEFORE you file off the excess.
- When filing off excess pull the file downwards in one direction, not back and forth, to help wrap the edges over your nail tip.


Have you tried these before? Comment and let me know which pattern you love!

Oh and in Sajville the Sajies LOVE LOVE pink sparklez

Shop the different patterns below:

salon effects

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Product Review: Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish

I finally got my hands on a bottle of the Nails Inc Magnetic Polish

 to give it a try myself and see whats up!

Only two colours were available so I decided on the chrome shade Trafalgar Square

It was pretty simple to use, no difference to any polish.

The polish itself looks great without using the magnet to get the design, 

so it does have a double wear option.

To get the design, the instructions said to apply polish and let dry slightly, then apply the magnet cap to activate the design, BUT when I followed this I didn't get any results. whomp whomp!

So I completed my two coats and let them dry completely, then applied a third coat and immediately placed the magnet over the wet polish and voila! The design came through.

Two with magnet design, two withought

Overall its pretty cool and it looks nice, almost 3D like!

I also experimented with turning the magnet sideways on my ring finger and basically got the same pattern going sideways LOL, but at least theres a bit of variety in it! 

Will you be picking up some Magnetic Polish? Comment and let me know! 

nails inc magnetic polish

The Sajies loves it! and wish it came in pink! ^_^

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com

Nail Kit Downsizing

So if you're one of those MUA's (like myself) that tend to bring a well rounded kit for "just in case moments", you pretty much will have a "nail kit"

My nail kit has the basics:  Polishes, files, press on nails, nail clippers, polish remover and cuticle oil. Any special "artsy" nails I purchase as needed etc.

The last time I did nails for a shoot I noticed that the nail drawer in my kit was mad heavy! The nail polishes really added on some weight. This is it below:

Heavy drawer!

My solution! Typical MUA move...depotting! or rebottle-ing? lol

I ordered these mini polish bottles from Ebay for $10 ( 12 mini bottles ) which came with the silver mixing ball inside, and filled them with my nail polishes!

I don't think they are "Zoya" brand, I believe the seller just put them in there for shipping

The filling part was pretty easy as the opening was wide enough for a steady stream to pour in, zero mess!

These are the filled bottles and all packed away in their drawer. Be sure to label where needed, e.g. I have a white basic polish and a white crackle polish, so I labeled all the crackle polishes "Shatter". ( after I took the pic lol )

The weight difference is tremendous! Definitely something worth looking into.

P.S You can also check out Sephora or OPI retailers as they tend to have sets with mini bottles of polish which I will purchase from now on. I need a new french pink and beige

Of course with all this polish play I did my nails :D

xoxo

Saj

Saj Mack is a Professional Makeup Artist in Atlanta Georgia providing over 6 years experience in Beauty, Commercial, Film, Television, Special FX and more. See her work at www.makeupbysaj.com