Marta Experiments: Sally Hansen Nail Effects

Let it be known: I suck at doing my own nails. A long-time nail biter, I almost always had short nails until I got engaged and I was like, hey, I should probably have nice lookin' nails now that I have a nice lookin' ring to show off.

But I cannot master the art of left-handed nail painting, and I'm pretty unsteady. Being a neurosurgeon was never in the cards for me.

So the idea of Sally Hansen Nail Effects excited me. Foolproof nail color, right?

Well, sort of (for me anyway).

I am sort of a mess. You'll see from the photo.

I would ask for my money back if I left a salon looking like this.

My biggest issues were finding the exact right size for each nail then tailoring it perfectly to my nail. I also had a hard time getting the strip to stay put in the top corners of some of my nails. Finally I picked the color - Squeezed - thinking it was more of a yellow, but it turned out the front strip that showed at the store had been faded by the light! You can see in the picture below (lame iPhone pics) that it's a totally different color from the rest of the strips!

The middle strip is a pretty yellow - but the rest are orange. As you can tell, my fingers did not need the skinniest strips (or the fattest, thankfully).

What I'll do differently next time:
1. Line up the the bottom of the strip with the top of my cuticle more perfectly.
2. Do it in a slightly warmer room (it was pretty chilly, and made my hands cold. Sally Hansen advises warm hands for better pliability).

My other critique is that so far, they've already chipped quite a bit. Maybe if I do it better, this won't be as big of an issue?

However, even though I need some practice, I will definitely be trying these again. I'm eager to try the lattice-looking Misbehaved as well as some other neon colors!

Does anyone have any tips on how I can not suck at using these?

To Buy or Not To Buy: Chanel Peridot Vernis

(via Style.com)

I'm on the fence about purchasing Chanel's fall nail collection. These rich, luxe metallics will perfectly complement fall's jewel-tones, and Chanel's nail colors tend to become staples for each season season. The collection includes the bronzed green Peridot, silvery-beige Quartz or the silvery toned Graphite. I'm a big fan of Peridot (it is my birth stone after all), and it might be a good way for me to ease into the green polish trend (I just couldn't bring myself to buy Jade a few seasons ago).

But I wouldn't say that Chanel's polish is worth the $25 price tag. It find it quickly wears down at the tips of my nails. But you do pay for what is most certainly the best and most trend-setting color palette out there. Mimosa, Particuliere, Paradoxal - these are all essential colors in any polish-lover's "wardrobe."

All Lacquered Up recently featured Peridot, which, when photographed, reads a bit more like a gold with a mossy hue. Is it too green for you? Would you rather wear a more neutral metallic?

Or is Chanel polish all together overrated?

The best things in life are (almost) free

I love free samples. Who doesn't? I'm a sucker for samples of everything from cheese at Whole Foods to foam whale hats from Vineyard Vines to bourbon chicken in the mall food court (gross, I know). I'm an especially big fan of Sephora's free samples. By being a beauty insider, I get at least one free sample each time I buy something - online or in the store - and usually it's at least three.

So, OK, I'm sort of obsessed with samples. I also love trying the latest and greatest beauty products - lotions, serums, shadows, creams, whatever - in efforts to be as beautiful as possible. But why spend $60 on a face lotion that I know very little about, other than that I like the little pictures on the front and that it promises no wrinkles and no acne? I don't know if it works.

That's where Birchbox comes in. One of Gilt Groupe's founders, Alexandra, twittered about this awesome service that delivers samples of the latest beauty products to your front door once a month for $10 (that includes shipping). I was a bit hesitant to sign up sight unseen, but I trust Gilt Groupe - how can you not? And when my Birchbox arrived, I couldn't have been happier that I listened to Alexandra.

What I got:

1. Cargo Bronzer, Medium - So far, I love this product. It goes on smoothly and evenly, and the color is surprisingly flattering on my fair skin.
2. Marc Jacobs, Lola - This smells delicious. Birchbox describes it as a "new classic," and I have to say I agree. I'm really considering buying the full-sized, especially as my Vera Wang Look perfume runs out.
3. NARS, Makeup Primer with SPF 20 - I haven't tried this yet (no need), but NARS makes such great makeup staples - have you tried their Orgasm blush and lip gloss - I bet this product will be great as well.
4. Tatcha, Blotting Papers - Like Clean & Clear, but prettier and just as effective.

Birchbox threw in a special treat - whether this will be a regular thing remains to be scene - a collagen face masksheet from The Faceshop, touted by Kim Phan as a "mini-facial" to give you firm and hydrated skin. I'm wearing it as I write, so we'll see. It looks RIDICULOUS though - imagine Jason Vorhees with blond hair and very moisturized skin. (Edit: My face does feel firm and moisturized to some extent, but I'd be interested to see how it works after more than one use)

The best part about these free samples is most are perfect for traveling. How often do you get to work and want to touch up your post-commute makeup? How annoying is it to lug around full-size products? The bronzer and perfume are perfectly purse-sized. What's also great is I'm not on the hook for anything! Birchbox includes order forms for full-size versions of the products, but there is no obligation to order anything unless you love it.

Overall, I would say that Birchbox is worth the $10 to satisfy your product curiosity, to let your outer woman embrace her inner girl playing with make-up.

Check out Birchbox here.