[Get The Look] Goodbye Mr Lee Kuan Yew Nail Art

Hi Huneybees,

Last week was a tough week to get through as the nation waves goodbye to our founding father - Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He was cremated last Sunday and aside from dressing in black, I also did a set of monochrome nails as a tribute to him.

This black ribbon image was circulated around social media within a few hours, so I wanted to do my set of nail art, revolving around the image. But getting the image drawn right is definitely not easy to do freehand. So, I wana show ya my little trick, this might be able to help those who find it difficult to draw with your left hand (if you are right handed) too.

1. After measuring nail bed size, I got the image shrunk down to around that size and did a tracing of the image (you can draw instead of tracing too!).
2. Find a transparent file and slot the drawing in between, or you can use a plastic bag as well.
3. Paint a layer of the topcoat on the plastic file, covering more than the drawing.
4. Using acrylic paint or nail polish, start painting and draw up your image.
5. Once dried, paint a layer of topcoat again, covering more of your drawing dimension.
6. Let the image dry. Normally it takes up to 2 hours, but I like to let it dry over night.
7. Using a tweezer, slowly pull up the image, starting from the corners and work your way in. Do not pull too hard as you might break it.
8. After painting your base nail colour, apply a thin layer of top coat for the newly made "sticker" to stick on.
9. Press down to remove bubbles and trim the size if it's too big.
10. Once done, apply topcoat and you are done!
    
    Note: I did a little touch up on the drawing after sticking on, so that the image fills up the thumb. 

Voila! This is a close up of the other fingers. I did a PAP symbol as well and freehand drew on those black ribbons and Singapore Flag. Hope this little trick helps you to perfect your DIY nail art, bringing your work to another level. 

Do you guys have any other tricks to share? Would love to hear about it. :)

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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[What's New] To Gel Or Not To Gel - Etude House Enamel ting Gel Nails Collection

Hi Huneybees,

Etude House has recently joined in the gel nails trend in K-beauty and launched a new affordable series of nail products - Enamel ting Gel Nails collection, allowing you to have your very own nail salon at home! 

Though it is available in the Etude House branches around Singapore, but I still prefer to have mine ordered and delivered right to my door step. All thanks to Qoo10, I've got my items shipped right from Korea and most of the time, even faster than the local stores can stock up!

The whole collection includes a Enamel ting LED gel lamp, Enamel ting Gel Nail Cleanser, and Enamel ting Gel Nail Remover together with 35 brilliant gel nail polishes, that allows you create all sorts of nail art and manicure.

The gel lamp is slightly cheaper than what you can find out in the market, portable and easy to use with 36 LED lights, letting you set your gel nails in 45 seconds flat. It has an internal timer that will auto turn off after 45 seconds, so that you know it is time to add another coat of colour.

I've gotten 2 colours - #5 Apple Bite (Red) and #17 Coating Jean (Blue) to try out the nail polishes. The colour payoff is amazing and it is very easy and smooth to apply. With just 1 application, you can get full shiny coloured nails. My nails are ready with 10 minutes with just 2 coats of the nail polish.

But, getting your gel nails done is not as straight forward as your usual nail polish of applying the colours coat after coat. You will also need the help of the Enamel ting Gel Nail Cleanser. Removing the gel nails is also not that fast too! Here's the steps to it...

But purchasing these gel nails materials were with an initial struggle. I was weighing the pros and cons, reading up more of gel nails manicure before deciding to get them. In fact, I still have my reservations doing gel nails again. Why? Here's my list of them...

The PROS

• Affordable and easy on the pockets
• Manicure that lasts 2-3 weeks
• Chip-free
• Fast Drying
• Easier to create nail designs without smudges

The CONS

• A health risk as you are constantly baking your nails under UV lamp - cancer, increased photo-aging, more wrinkles
• Hassle for gel nails removal 
• Filing down of the nails to break the top coat, might lead to over filing, thus making the nails thin and weak
• Soaking in the gel remover makes nails dry

Some tips when applying gel nails at home...

• Apply sunscreen on your hands before application
• Buff your nails to get a better surface for the gels to stick to, ensuring your gel nails last longer
• Be sure not to paint your cuticles and wipe off any that gets on your skin before curing
• Apply cuticle oil and hand lotion once you are done.

So, what do you think? 

Would you consider giving the Etude House Enamel ting Gel Nails collection a test drive?

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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[Tried & Tested] Models Own HyperGel (Turquoise Glow)

Hi Huneybees,

Models Own has a new addition in their nail polish collection. *Nail Polish Addict Madness Scream*

The HyperGel line from Models Own has just been pushed into the Singapore market. Boasting of a super-high-glossy-gel-effect with extra vibrant colour. You can have gel nails done in the comfort of your home without the exorbitant bill and having to buy a UV light!

Photo Credits: http://merrymusing.co.uk/

There is a selection of colours under the range, and I chose to have the Turquoise Glow. There are other soft pastel colours, that are the absolute must-have this summer, but for me the mint green nail polish was screaming for my attention. Hehehe...

This is a thicker gel formula that coats right on top of your nails. The nail polish glides onto my nails easily, but it was a little difficult working with the round brush. Though I might get spill-overs, it is just simply easy to clean up. You have to work fast though, the nail polish dries to a sticky feel almost instantly!

I only need 2 coats of this nail polish on each nail and they dry with a beautiful opaque finish with super shine. I didn't even need to put top coat to achieve this shine!

The formula is also enriched with lotus flower oil which will nourish the nails and also act as a barrier against water, so the polish would last longer. I had these mint green nails for a week without having any chips and it's definitely much more durable than the usual nail polishes.

So if you are looking for long lasting nail polishes and wana shave yourself the hassle of having to go down to a nail salon, why not give this a try? 

Models Own HyperGel is Available in 5 shades:

• Pink Veneer 
• Cornflower Gleam 
• Naked Glow 
• Turquoise Gloss 
• White Light

Models Own HyperGel is available at aLT@BHG, John Little Plaza Singapura, Robinsons Orchard, selected Guardian and Sasa stores.

Price : SD$14.90 (each bottle) 

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Manicure and Pedicure @ Absolutely Nails

Before my recording for Lady First <女人我最大>, I was treated to a Manicure and Pedicure session at Absolutely Nails. Located at Marine Parade Central (opposite the famous hawker centre), it is a sister brand of the popular Foot Reflexology Spa - Feet Haven Reflexology.

Previously named as Nailcoholics, the nail spa has been around since early 2010. The name change was a result of the acquisition and also in a bid to stay current and relevant to its customers. The services include Classic/French Manicure & Pedicure, 2D/3D Nail Art, Acrylic/Gel/Extension, among others.

Upon stepping into nail spa, I was warmly greeted and settled down fast by the friendly manicurist. She even got me a warm cup of tea (which not all nail spas do).

She was superbly patient in removing my 10 finger nails that was painted fully with glitter bits (you know how difficult it is to remove right?!).

There were simply to many colours to choose from and the manicurist was very helpful and told me pastel colours in 'IN' now. So I chose that. She also told me that my cuticles and skin around the nail bed was too dry, so she taught me how and where to apply the cuticle oil. 

Check out the manicurist's nails! So pretty right?!

So, here's the end result of mu pastel alternate coloured nails and I loved the effect. don't my nails just look so candylicious? As for my toenails, I kept it nude, that's how I like them, since most of the time, they're tucked inside my shoes...

These colours are by ORLY.

I love how my feet look so baby sweet now!

Absolutely Nails is open everyday from 10 am to 8.30 pm (Monday to Friday) and 10 am to 8 pm (Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays). You can check out their FB page or website for more information about the nail spa and also current updates as well as promotions. Here are some of them.

And I believe Absolutely Nails is one of the or even the only nail spa in Singapore that carries Butter London and Ciaté nail painting service (for an additional price). Luxurious right? Now you don't have to spend big bucks to buy the nail polishes and end up messing your nails.

Absolutely Nails - Blk 82, Marine Parade Central, #01-620, Singapore 440082 / Tel: 63453303

 

Have a great weekend!

XOXO,
Christina aka Huney

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