Sunday, August 16, 2009

NOTD: Jamaica Me Crazy & Mini Top Coat Review


These pictures are definitely NOT doing this color justice, even if I took a shot in the sunlight, which looks the same as the flash pic. It's Jamaic-ing me crazy!

IRL, this Pure Ice polish (yes, yet another one because I love them) is a darker purple that shines bluish-purple, but it has a fuchsia base. It's crazy beautiful in person but the pink shows more in the pictures. Trust me, it's more purple.

This is one of my favorite names for a nail polish and now a favorite color, and I don't even really like purple. The formula for this particular color is smooth and easy to apply. There's nothing wrong with a $2 polish, as long as it's good quality, and this is one of them. Just don't get any Pure Ice metallic/chrome finishes because they apply weirdly. Stay away from colors like First Time and Outrageous, even if they look nice.






Mini Top Coat Review
Seche Vite & Sally Hansen Insta-Dri


I applied two coats of Jamaica Me Crazy with one coat of Seche Vite dry fast top coat, which I'm liking now. When I first tried it with my Leopard print nails, it didn't do so well, but with solid colors, it's been doing a better job. I've noticed it helps with peeling but my nail polish will eventually chip a little after 2 or 3 days. And it's not because I'm wearing "cheap" nail polish, either. I've tried more expensive brands but they still chip and peel. So for me, Seche Vite is not a miracle worker, but it's the best I've tried so far.

The downside about it is that it's a bit expensive ($8), but if you have a Sally's card then it's around $5. I've actually seen it at Target but there wasn't a price tag so I don't know how much it was over there. Another con is it's strong, chemical smell - maybe the Toluene.


  • PROS: Dries your polish in a flash (about 30 seconds), helps prevent peeling (I know it helps prevent chipping on a lot of other people but for me, my manicure will still chip)
  • CONS: Contains Toluene; has a strong chemical odor; somewhat expensive and not readily available everywhere
  • INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Toluene, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Benzophenone-1
  • MY RATING: 4 out of 5

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SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI

  • PROS: Also dries your polish in a flash (about 30 seconds); no strong, offensive odor like Seche Vite (mind you, it still smells like nail polish, though); easy to find anywhere; has a flat-type brush that makes application easier; does not contain Toluene; a bit glossier than Seche Vite; ~$5
  • CONS: Bottle is semi-circular in shape and may tip over easily; comes with 0.45 oz of product rather than your usual 0.5 oz (but that's ok, I guess); did not help with peeling or chipping (on me, my manicure will chip or peel after 1 day)
  • INGREDIENTS: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, SD Alcohol 40-B, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Nitrocellulose, Acrylates Copolymer, Sucrose Benzoate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Etocrylene, Benzophenone-1, Dimethicone, PPG-2 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharide Isomerate, Algae Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Violet 2
  • MY RATING: 3 out of 5

That's my review but remember, Your Mileage May Vary...
Have a good day!

2 comments:

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