I also wanted to give a test run for one of the products Vivian from Born Pretty Store sent me as a surprize. I will use it again in another review, but while making this manicure I decided to do glitter gradient, and there is nothing like glitter to test any cuticle guard. Item I am talking about is Odor-free Latex Cuticle Guard, Item #36614, color option 7.
I am not doing gradients often, and sponge on glitter is even less seen sight in my manicures. I just do not like all the mess, and some cuticle guards I have, while making clean up easier in one way, in other makes it worse... I will try to explain myself... I do have at least half a dozen different cuticle protections at home, and they are good for certain things, but leave some things to desire. If you ever used any latex, you will be able to relate to following - when they are too stretchy, latex stretches, and polish on the top lifts off of the latex, and in my experience either falls back on the nail, or get stuck on the cuticle and make the clean up as bad as I done it all without latex. I do not like that one bit. Tape was better, but time consuming, and honestly, I am too lazy for it, and of course, there is never a perfect seal - so again, here I am with my trusty clean up brush and acetone...
This cuticle guard is slightly stretchy, and removes in one single piece. It also in some ways act like a tape, and I did not have any lifting up off of the latex, or any glitter left behind after I removed it. I also like the fact that there is no odor. No amonia smell (one of my guards have it), or other scent for that matter. I do have super sensitive skin, and I have to be really carefull what I put on, but this one did not have any effect on me, even though I am sensitive to latex and silicone... On the top of this all, it is greatly afordable, which is great. I love good deals.
Color is better visble on the insert on the right. I know that I did not make lots of mess, because most of the time, I do not bother with protection, so I become really good in applying gradients without mess...
As I said at the beginning of the post, I reached for it without thinking about review, and my photos are not the best here. Give me day or two, and you will see better collage of the product. In my reviews this time I paired some of the products, because they just kind of got well together... that will make for a long review, but at least, couple of them got single reviews...
For this manicure, I used Mariposa shimmery blue polish that was pleasant surprize to use in more than one way. Over that base, on my thumb, index and pinky, I did glitter gradient using two Pure Ice polishes - Beware ( silver) and Strapless (blue).
Over gradient I stamped single snowflakes using MoYou Nails - White stamping polish, and on my mid and ring finger I stamped some wintery scene. I also added some Beware on the tips to glisten like a real snow...
All is topped with Sally Hansen - Big Matte Top Coat... so it would really look kind of frosted.
When ordering any full priced item at Born pretty store, use my discount code SHGK31 for 10% off at the checkout.
***Some products used today were given to me for my honest review. All opinions are mine, based on my use of the product, and my experience with it. For availability and pricing, please refer to the sellers site, links provided at the top of the page.***