Hip Nails: Sally Hanson Salon Effects Review and Giveaway! (CLOSED)

L-R: 210 Frock Star, 250 Bling It On, 240 Check It Out, 230 Skinny Jeans, 120 It Girl. 160 Electric Shock

So a couple of weeks ago the very kind folks at Sally Hansen‘s PR company in Canada sent me some of these Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips.  It seemed like the hottest trend in the spring was OPI’s Black Shatter, China Glaze’s Crackle polishes, and so on.  Now it is all about the prints and making it easy to have fabulous nails in minutes.

When I first saw this product online I thought they were just stickers that you apply to your nails.  In a way yes, they are kind of like stickers, but there is way more to it than that.  They come in a variety of different colours and patterns (eight shiny neons, four high-shine metallics, and 11 high-fashion patterns, according to the media release) and look exactly like nail polish when applied (they even kind of smell like nail polish when you first apply them too).

The most show-stopping of the collection are definitely the patterns.  From leopard to zebra to butterflies to flowers and more, there are a variety of patterns to suit any style.  There are also glittery ones and bold neons. Okay, so when I first saw the neon ones I totally didn’t get why anyone would buy those.  I mean, for $9.95 (suggested retail price in Canada) why would you pay that much for a one-time use product?  You can buy a bottle of OPI polish for that much.  Now I totally understand.  The neons in the collection are hot.  I tried on 160 Electric Shock and it’s the most perfect neon yellow colour I have ever seen.  If Sally Hansen made this colour in a polish I would snatch it up right away.    They may not be patterns or glitter but the solid colour ones are definitely worth the money.  The colours are just so perfect.

Anyways, so like I said, I tried on Electric Shock first to see how these guys work, how long they last, how easy they are to apply, etc.  The box comes with 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file and buffer (which is on the back of the mini file).

So the first thing you do is make sure that your nails are clean.  If you have polish on them already have your nail polish remover handy because the nail bed has to be absolutely clean and dirt free.  Next you push back your cuticles with the attached wooden stick and then shape the edge of your nails with the hot pink side of the file.  After that, smooth the surface of the nails with the gray side of the file and then give your nails one last swipe with nail polish remover.  Now you’re ready!  TIP: Warm hands are better for applying the strips, they help provide maximum flexibility and stretch and seal the strips on your nails better.

Okay so now that your nails are all set to go, find the right size “nail” for each finger and start applying the strips.  It’s way easier than it looks, trust me.  What you do is remove the clear plastic cover then peel the strip from the backing paper, break off the silver tab and then apply to your nail.  After that just rip the excess strip off (if you are real careful you can use the excess strip and apply it to your toes) and file down to your nail size.  Super easy!  With that being said though, when I did it I would tend to break off the silver tab before taking off the plastic backing which makes it way harder!  Make sure you remove the plastic first!

So how did they apply?  They go on fairly well, it was my first time using them so some strips were ripped off too much from my nails as a result.  Next time I’ll have to be more careful.  Also, it’s great to have those extra strips just in case you mess up, just peel it off and reapply with a different strip.

After I had all 10 nails done I absolutely loved the results!  Like I said originally, I wasn’t too excited about the solid colours (I’m saving the houndstooth one for fall and the glitter one for Vegas), however, after having it on, the colour is just so fab and I got tons of compliments on it (I have to find a bottled version of this shade). I read online that a little Seche Vite (or any top coat actually) on top will make the polish last longer so I applied one coat, I’m not sure if it actually worked or not but it did add some additional shine to my nails.

So how do they hold up?  Well, Sally Hansen claims that they last up to 10 days.  That’a a total lie because I’m on day 11 and they are still looking fab!  Keep in mind that some are chipped (I like picking at my nails so that is part of the reason) and there is some nail growth happening too (which is standard with any manicure).   Compared to actual polish these hold up way better than anything I’ve ever tried.  I could probably keep them on for another week, but like a lot of people, I like changing it up every week or so.

After 10 days

After 10 days

So would I recommend these?  Yes!  They are so pretty, come in an abundance of different colours, patterns, and metallics, and so simple to use once you get the hang of it.  Do they take less time to apply compared to regular polish?  Maybe with some practice; it took me about 20-30 minutes to apply them, but keep in mind it was my first time.

They are a bit pricey for a one-time thing but if you are going to a special occasion or just want something cool and different, then I would definitely check these out!

 

Now the fun part!  Want to win your own Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips?  I am giving away three of them to one lucky winner!

L-R: 250 Bling It On, 230 Skinny Jeans, 120 It Girl

One lucky winner will win all three of the above products shown!  The contest is only open to subscribers (see the form below, please do not post your answers on the “subscribe!” page) and post a comment on this post saying your favourite Sally Hansen Salon Effects pattern, colour, or metallic!  For an extra entry, tweet or share this blog post  on your Twitter or Facebook and make sure you mention it in your comment.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org and the contest is open worldwide!  You have until August 15, 2011 to enter.  Good luck!

Also, while you are at it, enter my Fusion Power Bandz giveaway!  Ends July 31, 2011!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Contest is open from July 21 to August 15, 2011.  Winner will be contacted by August 20, 2011.  If the winner does not reply with their mailing information by August 22, 2011 another winner will be chosen.  Contest is open internationally to both males and females.  The winner will be chosen by random.org.

The Sally Hansen Nail Strips were sent to me for review/giveaway purposes.