SALON REVIEW!!!

Since its Small Business Saturday, I decided to visit a local nail salon, and then it dawned on me... why not write a review?!?!

Today I treated myself to a lovely pedicure at PINKY New York Nail Salon in Palisades Park, NJ. (I think this is the only nail salon located in Palisades Park- they are open Monday-Saturday and closed Sunday) *thank you Blue Law*

This is my 3rd time at the newly open salon for a pedicure. I have to say I definitely recommend them. The staff is pleasant and don't really engage in conversation unless you do. Some people like this approach and other don't. Today I loved it since I just wanted some ME time. There was opera music playing in the background and NO WAIT.

A pedicure will run you about $25 but its worth every penny. The massage is to die for and the polish job is on point.

There are a couple of nail salons in the immediate area, but this one is clean, quiet and pretty reasonable (although the nail tech did mention that a gel manicure is $30...ahhhh!- Since I dont get gel nails I thought this was expensive.) But I will pay the money for a good pedicure

If you are ever in the area and need a pedi, this is the place to go.

Hey Everyone....Happy Monday!

As it is Halloween week, I cant wait to see pics of all the amazing colors you all choose for this weeks creepy festivities! Lots of black, and "wicked" all over the place.

A couple people have said to me that they are loving the blog, but they feel bad becuase they bite their nails, and although it is a horrible habit they just cant quit!

I used to bite my nails when I was much younger, and then I got hip to putting fresh garlic pieces in my clear polish, both for strength and also to curb my habit. It worked! It smelled so horrid, I never wanted to put my nails near my mouth! Try it!

As for the nail polish in the following article, I don't know how I feel about this!

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http://www.delish.com/food/a44203/edible-nail-polish-kid-licks/?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1445_252959515

Nail Shapes:

What is your favorite nail shape?

When I had acrylic tips I had coffin shape. Then I went to natural manicures and did a square shape.

Now I am trying the longer, round shape. Just for fun!! To be honest, I may need a professional manicure to shape my nails, then I can follow the shape when I file my nails.

I will post a pic soon, but this week I would like to feature @sweetsybil's nails (yaaaaay!!!) ... I love the shape and the color! Sybil always has her nails in tip top shape!!!

Keep sending me your nail pics. I really do enjoy being tagged on your manicures. And let me know what your thoughts are on shape.

Oh, I  may do a Q and A on instagram this week, so look out for it get your questions ready!!!

Thanks for the support! 

Happy Tuesday!!!

Here is a great article I found about Matte nails that I wanted to share with you all...

Matte nails are what's in! 

I have Sally Hansen "Big Matte Top Coat" and I've used it twice. 

I guess I should use it more often! 

I'm going to try it this week. Pic to follow!

http://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Matte-Manicure-Ideas-38626975?utm_source=beauty_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=beauty_newsletter_v1_10052015&em_recid=63973&utm_content=placement_1_desc#photo-38626975

Top Coat...

How important is your Top Coat?- VERY!!!

Many people ask me if I use a top coat. Back in the day, I never did!  I just painted my nails and sat around waiting for them to dry.  Hoping that I didn't have to pee, or wash my hands, I would even deprive myself of food and or drink until I knew my nails were 100% dry. Many times I fell asleep and woke up with the sheet imprints on my fingernails- how annoying!!!!.... Then I had children. 3 to be exact. Now I don't have the luxury of lying around waiting for my nails to dry. I HAVE to use a Top Coat.... specifically a "quick dry" top coat. 

I have tried many a top coat. But two favorites that I swear by are: 

OUT THE DOOR

SECHE VITE  TOP COAT. 

These are both pretty expensive at the drug stores (CVS to be exact) but they are both so so worth it. (Both will run you between $7-10 each)  

Out The Door will literally have you out the door within 10 minutes, even less. It is my #1 all time fave!!! I do like Seche Vite, but it takes a little longer to dry, but an excellent top coat as well. 

I know many of you are doing UV gel, so you don't have to worry about chipping for a couple of weeks at least. But when you go back to doing a natural manicure... keep these two top coat in mind. Invest in them and take them to the salon when you get your manicure. 

If you have any questions about colors, base coats, top coats, transitioning from gel/acrylic to natural, or the latest trends PLEASE feel free to post your comments or questions. You can post questions on my instagram account: @mrsconcep

Thanks for your support!

What's Your Fave Fall Nail Polish Color? 

Tomorrow is the first official day of Autumn and we all know what that means: sweater weather, boots, football Sundays and dark nail polish colors!!

I wore black for my first week back at work, but I'm thinking of an Essie "Sew Psyched" or "Armed and Ready" to usher in the fall... These two colors just happen to be my favorite. However, I am torn...

What are your colors for autumn?  I need some inspiration. HELP!!!

#QOTD?
(question of the day)


"Gel Nails... yes or noooooooo?"- submitted by my sister in law

The decision to commit to gel nails is a very personal one. I'm assuming that I don't have to tell you what gel polish is or how it works. I imagine if you are visiting this blog, you must have some idea.

In case you don't, its that's polish that you don't have to wait an extra 15 minutes to dry. That polish that you have to set using a light, and once the light turns off you are good to go. You can grab your keys from your purse, put on your jacket, zip it up and continue with your day.

I have had my love affair with gel. During Christmas vacation, I have done gel polish, especially with all the  cooking, cleaning, wrapping gifts etc. This year I even went way over to the other side of the spectrum and wrapped my nails with acrylic (which we will save for another day)

I do love gel polish, so I would never say "don't do it", especially since I am thinking of my sister in law while I write this post. She has two young boys and also runs a business... so we all know she has no time to go back and forth to the nail salon every week. Just be careful!!! Some people say the light is dangerous, others say it's fine. Of course the lady at the nail salon is going to push you to do gel because it costs more.

To be quite honest, there are a lot of polishes out there that are a happy medium. Sally Hansen makes a gel polish that you can remove with regular nail polish remover and it works. I have three kids and I have been home for the summer cooking breakfast lunch and dinner, NOT using gloves while washing dishes and pooling it about 2-3 times a week. I used a Sally Hansen gel polish and have to say it does the trick. It's a good one if you are not sure about committing to the gel polish. It lasts on my fingers, with all the above mentioned going on, for 7 days. No chipping only a little wear and tear at the edges... but even that was minimal.

I also recommend the CND 7 day polish. You can get them on Amazon.

Listen,  I am all for indulging in my nails... believe me. But to what extent? Do I know if in 15 years I may get sick from having my finger tips under that intense light all the time? No  I don't, but we have come so far in the nail polish community that there are alternatives so give them a try... and if you decide to commit... believe me.. no judgement here!!! Just get a color that you can deal with for 2-3 weeks... because otherwise, whats the point!?!

Neutral Nails...

September is one of those months where I just don't know what to do with my nails. This year, I have decided to incorporate black and white into my neutral palate.
Here is my Back to Work manicure...  Essie's "Licorice."  I used "Out The Door" quick dry top coat.

Is it too late for an all white manicure? Is it too early for all black? Let me know what you think

Happy September!!! Thanks to my daughter Millie for helping me figure out how to upload my pics to the blog!!! Now I can blog away!

I know, I know... "Virgo gang" is heavy right now. I know they are truly representing all over my instagram and facebook pages... and my daughter is a Virgo so she is a member of this team.

I hate tossing my summer colors aside, and until we have reached the Fall equinox, I probably wont be posting any autumn colors.

The color in this image is called "Gemincello" and its for all the Geminis out there.It is a beautiful buttery yellow that I will continue to rock during those in between seasons when I have no clue what color to polish my nails.  Sally Hansen has a complete astrological line and I think its pretty awesome. I am a gemini through and through so of course even though its Virgo season I have to represent for MY "Gemini Gang!"

Throw Back Thursday....

I was reading a question on facebook last year from a friend of mine and it went something like this:
"why do women flood the nail spots when you could probably do your nails yourself?"

Some women said it made them feel good and some said they loved to be pampered. Others agreed with hims and said they did their themselves.

I remember being a very young girl and my grandmother always having nail polish around her Bronx home and finding the time to paint her nails. Today she is much older and makes my cousin paint her nails...

I have since gone back to doing my own nails. I had love affairs with Gel color (Lamps) and I have had a love affair with acrylic. Thank God I know my nails well enough to be able to nurse them back to health. I have since been doing my own and have no lack of polish colors to choose from. It is my "me" time and as a mother of 3 kids, I have to take it where I can get it. Sometimes, its after the kids go to bed. Sometimes its on a random Sunday afternoon, but I usually make sure my nails are polished!

I am still trying to figure out how to link pictures, so please bear with me. My social media manager is trying as best she can to help me navigate this new world... well new to me.

Thanks for reading and remember.. "life is short... do what you want...make yourself happy"

Good Morning Everyone...

I was talking to a very dear friend of mine tonight, who has so many wonderful ideas and the conversation of nails polish came up in between our sips of Sangria.

I told her I THINK I'm pretty damn good at painting my nails and I have started posting my pics on Instagram, and she suggested I start a blog! And so here it is, after midnight on a cool August night....this Blog is Born.

Here I will be posting my pictures, comments and asking you your opinion and using your feedback!

I hope you all enjoy!