How to Paint Hello Kitty Nails (Nail Stamping Tutorial)

Nail stamping is a quick and easy way for nail art.  I purchased these nail stamping plates from Amazon.com and am truly impressed.  I used a base color of Sephora's I'm Seeing Pink Elephants, which is a nice cotton candy pink color.  For the white I used a nail polish I purchased at the Japanese dollar store (Daiso).  The white polish is on the more transparent side.  I wish it was more opaque.  If you purchase the Konad brand polish it does a much better job. The stamping kit I purchased on Amazon also, it was originally ten dollars I think, but now its only $4.50.  The reviews are kinda bad on it but I think it works great. 

Video tutorial on how to stamp hello kitty nails here.

How to French Manicure Nails the Salon Way

I've been falling behind on posts since my maternity leave ended.  This is a quick tutorial I created a while back on how to french manicure nails the salon way.  It's a video tutorial so I hope it will be easier to follow. They key to french manicuring is pure acetone nail polish remover, good white polish and a rounded brush.  I used a concealer brush that I purchased at Rite Aid for less than 3 dollars.  The brush is really bad for concealer, but works wonderfully for french manicuring nails.

I love doing my nails like this for weddings and work.  I rarely go get manicures now because doing it myself is so much easier and cheaper. It's even easier to do on your toes because you don't have to worry about working on your dominant hand.  One thing I forgot to mention on the tutorial is that you could also add a base coat after you clean off the white tips (right before you put your top coat).  This will help the top coat from staying on better.

I use Orly French White for the white, and Seche Vite for the top coat.

Does Pam Dry Nails Extra Fast? Let's Put it to the Test

Breastfeeding a newborn means a lot of down time to surf the internet.  I've been on Pinterest a lot lately (and also watching reruns of Teen Mom).  On Pinterest I saw a tip that said putting Pam non stick cooking spray on nails will dry them extra fast.  I googled this, and while other sites talk about it, no one actually tested it with a controlled test.  I decided to test this for myself.  

I painted my nails with one Sally Hansen Base coat and two coats of OPI Party in My Cabana (no top coat).  I waited 30 seconds and then sprayed Pam only on my left hand and let the other hand just dry naturally.  On the internet it says to wipe off the Pam after spraying.  I waited a minute and wiped the Pam.  The results? 

Pam does make your nails dry faster, BUT it only the top coat.  You can still ding your nails as the under layers are not dry.  I actually don't think the Pam is drying your nails, it seems like its just putting a oily coating on the nail polish so if you accidentally brush up against the polish it won't stick to anything (like lint).   If your nails hit a hard object the polish will still ding. 

In conclusion, Pam does work to "dry" your nails, but you can still get dings.   Would I use it again?  Probably, it also leaves my cuticles shiny.    

One other thing, one forum said that Pam makes your nails chip easier.  I did not find this to be the case, as both hands chipped evenly.  

Also remember to spray the Pam over the sink, as it is quite messy.

Does Pam make nails dry faster?  Yes, but its more to protect against accidental brushing up against something, no major dings.

Nails with Pam sprayed on them.  Pretty good cuticle treatment too :)

OPI Party in My Cabana