Nails Inc. Metallic Polish!
I have always wanted to try magnetic nail polish. Sephora had some on sale so I bought Nails Inc. London Magnetic Polish in Whitehall. Whitehall is a metallic teal and I think it would look cool with or without the magnetic element. I have other magnetic polish but for some reason I never tried it out. I have a metallic purple from another brand. Now that I know how easy the magnetic polish is to use, I will do it again.
I actually tried a different method when painting my nails. I bought a Nutra Nail Gel Polish kit from 5 Below for like 3 bucks. I love gel polish so I figured I’d give one that doesn’t use a UV light a whirl. (I forgot mention that I did buy a UV light from Groupon- I have yet to try it.) I read a few reviews about the no light Nutra Nail and they were not exactly positive but someone had a genius idea: use the gel polish activator in the kit and use regular polish with it. Hmmmm…
I started by applying Nutra Nail 5 Minute Gel Polish Activator to five nails. While it was still wet and shiny, I applied K’REA’M Nail Hardener on top. I found this at a local beauty supply store and it has garlic and cinnamon. Boy, does it stink! I happen to like it- it works. I then did my other hand.
Nutra Nail 5 Minute Gel Polish Activator (l.) and K’REA’M Nail Hardener (r.)
I read the directions for the magnetic polish. I applied a thin coat to all of my nails and gave it a few minutes to dry. Then I applied a thicker coat nail by nail. You would think this would be annoying but it wasn’t that bad. While the nail was wet, I held the magnet over it for 10-15 second. I had to be careful not to touch the nail with the magnet. Nails Inc polish has a little lip that you can rest below the cuticle to keep it stable. (Of course, I managed to still touch the nail on a few fingers.) Once that was done, I applied a top coat of Seche Vite. That is NOT my favorite top coat but it was handy.
Clockwise from top left: Whitehall, the magnet top, Seche Vite, and holding the polish
I did my nails yesterday morning and I only had a little chip on one finger. That is quite the accomplishment since I am hard on my hands. I think the gel activator might be good! I am sure I will have to soak it off or wrap my fingers in cotton soaked with polish remover and foil.
The one thing I noticed and was not happy about was that every finger did not get the magnet affect. The nail polish is a great color and since it is metallic, it really isn’t noticeable. That’s another thing- the affect isn’t that noticeable either. I’ll let you know how fresh the polish stays.
Top- holding the magnet near my nail and finished fingers (bottom)
Before I sign off, I want to bring attention to New York’s current situation. I have many friends that have been affected by Sandy. Monetary donations are great but people need man power! If you can donate your time, do it!
Primp On! XOXO
Product Hoochie 
The problem with the directions on Nails Inc. is that they’re wrong. You have to paint a nail, then use the magent, paint another, use the magnet. It works much better (I figured it out a long time ago, but I recently saw an article in Allure that says the same thing). Don’t even let it dry before using the magnet. I usually paint them all, let them dry, then do a 2nd coat and use the magnet on that. I also find the Nails Inc. chips quickly. I haven’t tried the brand I bought us at 5 Below, but I’m sure it’s more of the same.
I DID do it that way! I guess it is just fickle!
I had my first try with magnetic polish a few weeks ago and had pretty much the same results except mine was a cheaper brand, they looked nothing like the perfect matching nails of the model, did you find your magntic pattern faded by morning? I think I’ll be using mine as a regular nail polish from now on as the colours is great on its own, although the magnetic plates from China Glaze look good.
and I used the same technique as you also.
My sister said it doesn’t matter and she does her nails as often as you. I do like the Nutra Nail stuff- seems like it works.
The pattern wasn’t so noticeable to begin with but now that I look… It has faded! I’m glad I only paid $3! And did you see the Butter London code?! I got a bunch of stuff- take a look. The code is FRIENDS12.
Hmmm…maybe try holding the magnet for longer. The first time I did it, it didn’t work because I followed the directions on the bottle. Once I started the separation method, it worked much better. The Nails Inc. polish dries really quickly, so I just keep the magnet on for as long as I can before it’s almost dry. I actually did it on mom once. She seemed to like it (as in she didn’t hate it). I want to try the magnet that have actual shapes other than the rippled effect. I always finish with the Nails Inc. Kensington Caviar Topcoat. Still, I find the polish doesn’t last very long. Polish generally doesn’t last long on me because I type all day long, but this chips quicker than most. Brucci needs to make a magnetic polish!
I still gave yet to try that Ciate Caviar mani that I bought months ago.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Update! My nails started to chip this morning. I hate chipped nails so it will all be coming off. I guess the activator didn’t really make a difference.