Scotch Naturals Review {Video}

Scotch Naturals review explaining what I like and dislike about Scotch Naturals nail polish. Sometimes it's just easier to watch a video than to read a written review.

Summer Nail Polish Colors from Acquarella

I just added three new summer nail polish colors from Acquarella to my polish collection! Acquarella was so kind to send me all three of the new colors! Yippy! I am so glad to have more Acquarella water based nail polishes.

I love the green, blue and purple color palette! I much prefer these types of colors over the ordinary reds and pinks. I have been excitedly awaiting 30 Love (lemon lime green) ever since I saw a photo of it. 30 Love just screams summer time!

It was harder to tell what Date Night and Dream Car would look like. As soon as I took those two out of the boxes I could see that they were shiny metallic colors. When I first saw Dream Car I thought "Ooh, lah lah, I would like to have a car this color!" I wear clothes that are mostly blue, teal, or aqua, so this greenish blue nail polish will match my wardrobe! The purple Date Night polish looks grape flavored to me. I like the silver shimmers in the purple base color. 

I swatched all three new colors right away, so I could see what they look like on my nails.

I think all three colors are awesome, but I definitely recommend wearing 30 Love during the summer. The metallic purple and blue will still be good choices into the fall.

Keeki Pure and Simple Nail Polish in Cherry Pie {Video}

Video review of Keeki Pure and Simple nail polish showing the Cherry Pie red color. Watch this video to see what I like and dislike about Keeki Pure and Simple. The Keeki brand may be meant for kids, but I still enjoy using the nail polish and lip shimmers!

Find more Keeki nail polish reviews on the Pretty Painted Nails Water Based Nail Polish Blog.

Nail Polish Remover for Water Based Nail Polishes

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently been accumulating complimentary nail polish removers. Regular acetone and non acetone nail polish removers do not work on all types of nail polish. To successfully get water based nail polish off your nails you need a remover intended for water based nail polish.

So far I have tried water-based, soy-based and alcohol-based removers with water based polishes. I am planning to compare the various removers soon. For now, just know that your regular old smelly remover is not going to work with water based polishes.

Perhaps my biggest frustration with water based polishes is how hard they are to remove. One time it took over 30 minutes for me to get the polish off my nails! Since then I have learned some useful tid bits about removal. I will share with you what I have learned. If you have any more suggestions, please share in the comments below. It will save us all some time and scrubbing.

Removing Water Based Nail Polishes:

1. Select one of the brands of remover intended for use with water based polishes.
2. With water based polish, timing is always key. The best time to paint your nails is right before bed. The best time to remove your polish is right after a shower or bath.
3. Cotton balls will not do the trick. Go for something with more texture, such as cotton rounds or piece of old cloth.
4. Soak the cotton round in remover and slather a good helping of remover onto each nail. Allow it to soak in for a minute. Be patient. Sitting and letting the remover soak in is easier than scrubbing away forever! 
5. Starting with the first nail, hold the cotton pad drenched in remover on the nail for a few seconds.
6. Then wipe off some of the polish.
7. Move onto the next nail and wipe for a bit, then the next.
8. After you have wiped at all of your nails for a short bit, go back to the first and repeat. 
9. Continue this process until all or almost all of the polish is removed.
10. If there are still stubborn bits left, immerse your nails in warm water and scrape off the bits with a wooden cuticle stick.
11. Wash, dry, and moisturize your hands with jojoba oil.

Removal may take longer than you are accustomed to with regular nail polish, but at least you are avoiding the dangerous fumes found in regular polish and remover!

Honeybee Gardens Water Based Nail Polish

In the past, I hardly ever wore black nail polish. Now that it's a main stream trend, I decided to give black a try. I chose Abyss from Honeybee Gardens water-based nail polish line.

I tried out Abyss on my toenails. First I painted on a layer of clear nail polish from Honeybee Gardens. Then I used 2-3 layers of black polish, allowing it to dry in between. The black nail polish went on nicely and kind of looked like a jelly until it reached opacity. It dried to a nice glossy finish.

I really liked the finished black toenail polish look, especially for a formal event with heals. I think it looks very classy.

I was happy with my pedicure until I went to ballroom dance class a couple days later and the polish started chipping off left and right. After a week the polish looked awful. It was chipped off halfway down my nails!

I also tried out Honeybee Gardens nail polish on my fingernails and had a bit better luck using a coat of clear on top as a top coat. You can read a full review of Honeybee Gardens water based nail polish on the Water Based Nail Polish Blog Pretty Painted Nails.

Acquarella Nail Polish Review and Demonstration {Video}

Acquarella is one of my favorite brands of water-based nail polish! It has hardly any smell and lasts nicely on my fingernails for a week. It stays on my toenails for a full month!

Watch this video to learn more about Acquarella water-based nail polish and see a demonstration of applying the nail polish in Mahalo (blue) and Wicked (green).

You can also see the original video review of Acquarella and a written review of Acquarella nail polish on the Pretty Painted Nails Blog.

Jojoba Oil for Cuticles and Hands

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently added some nail care products to my collection. My hands get dry easily, especially my cuticles and the skin right around my nails. At first I was unsure which moisturizing products would work with water based nail polishes. I avoided using regular hand lotion the day before and day after applying water based nail polish. I did not want the oil and emollients in the lotion to cause the polish to chip.

I finally found a moisturizer for cuticles and hands that is natural, organic, vegan and works with water based nail polishes! It's called jojoba oil. It is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows in the South Western United States. Jojoba oil is the plant based substance that most closely resembles oil found on human skin. Since it mimics out natural oils it is easily absorbed into the skin and helps lock in moisturizer.

There are two main ways to use jojoba oil with nail polish. First, you can use it when buffing your nails. Add a drop of jojoba oil to each nail and rub it in. Then use a three sided nail buffer to buff your nails. This helps drive the oil deep into your nails and leaves them looking healthy and shiny!

The second way to use jojoba oil is as a cuticle oil and hand moisturizer. Take a few drops and massage it into your cuticle and the skin near your nails. Then rub your hands together and distribute the rest of the oil over your hands. Let it soak in a bit to minimize the residue.



Have you used jojoba oil? What else do you use it for, other than as a hand and nail treatment?