Never have I seen a truer statement than the one emblazoned on this tin I saw at CVS the other day.
Don’t worry; they’ll disappear before you know it.
Props to the person who thought of this, because you and I both know that it’s only a matter of time before those ties disappear into that household wormhole that swallows all of the black hair ties in the world and sends them to their mysterious final destination.
Where do they all go?
Until the scientific community figures it out, I will continue to work under the assumption that they go to the cosmic playground in the sky where angel kitties swat at them for hours on end.
I’ve actually got a black tie in my hair right now because I’m typing and painting my nails. ’cause that’s how I roll. Paint, type, paint, type…
Oh, noooo. Is that a nick on my thumbnail?
Wait — it’s not. WHEW! *wipes sweat off brow.*
As I was saying, I’m multitasking, even though I’m running the risk of accidentally denting a freshly painted paw.
Faster, pussycat
I recently figured out a way to speed up the process even more, because, frankly, who has the time? Why fritter away 30 minutes of your life waiting for paint to dry when you could be doing things like squats or watching a Keanu Reeves movie (I know I’ve been talking about him a lot lately, but can you blame a girl?).
Also, I think I finally nailed (ha ha ha) the “speed mani” thanks to these few products. I’m completely done in 15 minutes. FOR REALS. Everything dries super quickly, AND the mani lasts a long time. I’m talking zero-to-very-few chips for a full week.
It’s all about that base
It starts with Sally Hansen No More Stains Spray-On Base Coat, which is also fun to use.
Doesn’t it look like a travel perfume bottle?
You just spray the clear base coat on bare nails (one or two spritzes per nail), and the thin protective layer dries in less than a minute. You don’t have to be very precise about it (it’s like you’re spraying hairspray on the tips of your fingers). Just spray, spray, spray, and ya done!
T-minus 300 seconds
On top of that, I add a couple layers of a nude shade from the Essie Gel Couture line, and it doesn’t seem to matter which color I wear — tan, pink, peach, taupe. Whichever direction I choose to go, the end result looks so-fresh-so-clean, even after a week.
Duuuuude! I’m also all about the brush. It’s wider and flatter that a typical nail polish brush, so I can paint from base to tip in even, smooth strokes.
Today’s/this week’s mani uses a creamy warm peach called Spool Me Over.
Um…or is it pink? Peachy pink? I can’t really tell, but I like that about it. (Of course the gemini in me would love nail polishes with two seemingly distinct personalities!)
Two coats in five minutes, tops.
A terrific top coat
The final, and probably most vital, part of “le speed mani” involves Essie Gel Couture Platinum Grade Finish.
FYI, I’ve seen the packaging both with the silver band around the base of the cap, and without, and apparently they’re both the same product, just with different caps.
Anyway, this is the shiniest, sturdiest top coat I’ve tried.
Yes, I know those are fighting words… Hoop earrings are off, so let’s go. LOL!
One coat protects your paws like Seche Vite or the Smith & Cult top coat, but it fully sets in a fraction of the time. I give it a full 10 minutes (better safe than sorry) to fully bake, and after that it’s rock solid…like the bond between the ladies of Claws.
Damn, those girls are ride-or-die. Seriously, you’ve got to get into that show if you aren’t watching it already. It’s completely bonkers and totally ridiculous, but you will be sucked in.
I’ve used this as a top coat on non-gel polishes, too, and it delivers equally impressive longevity.
Bounce, baby, bounce
One last thing before my fresh paint and I peace out: Ciara’s video for Thinkin Bout You. This is my new “happy” tune and the current warmup song on my workout playlist.
I just feel wonderful when it’s playing and I’m bopping and bouncing around to it… The person who did the body makeup in this video needs to text me that magic recipe ASAP (I’m wondering if it’s MAC Face and Body?) because every inch of Ciara’s skin looks otherworldly!
Oh, and the scene where she turns on all the fans and sings into a broom handle as her hair blows back in the wind? Hello, is that my life?? I may or may not have done the same exact thing this morning. ?
Enjoy the song, and don’t forget to stop to let that booty pop-pop-pop!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Only my little thief cat Red knows where my hair ties are….
Thanks for the mani tips!
Oh, sweet Red!
My Tabs loved swatting at hair ties and headphones, especially. But really, he was an equal opportunity swatter. LOL
The brush on Essie Gel Couture polish is the BEST. Not too wide like that Sally Hansen Gel ones, not too narrow or round, and the twisty bit in the brush helps keep from getting globs of polish dropping on you. I use them on my toes all the time but even I can make my fingernails look good with it. And they do dry pretty quickly! I have a burgundy on my toes whose name I don’t remember. I finally did them now that I’m allowed to wear shoes on the injured foot again!
It is SOOOOO great! I’m glad you appreciate it as much as I do. What top coat do you use? If you haven’t tried the Gel Couture one you must (same brush, too).
Glad you’re all healed up. Please don’t break anything at the wedding this weekend!
Yes, the matching topcoat is a must! Thanks for the well wishes!
We constantly lose rubber bands in our house. That and socks…no idea where they go because they don’t ever turn up. Love the Essie gel couture line! It’s been a savior for me since my hands take a beating on the daily and the color holds up for about 9 days before it starts looking a little rough. I’ll have to pick up that spray base coat though! That sounds like something I can use…quick and easy! Oh and love Ciara so I’ve added that song to my morning playlist. Thanks for sharing!
black hair ties hanging out with single socks ;D
i decided to just purchase big chunky glitter nail polish; no need to worry about perfect lines, chips, etc. ! and every time i do my own pedis, i deposit $30 into savings.
There is a black hole out there that has sucked up all the hair ties and for me ink pens. Always losing pens.
As quick as the Essie top coat is, I still like the Glisten & Glow one a bit better.
Oh and bobby pins. Those disappear quickly, too.
Thanks for the polish recommendations! I get so impatient waiting for my nails to dry.
That container for hair ties is hilarious and so true! The only way I won’t lose them is if I keep one on my wrist at all times.
I do my best to keep them away from the kitties because I don’t want them to accidentally eat them! Our foster kitty loves to play and I know he would love to bat them around. He met with a potential adopter over the weekend and it went well! I think he’ll still be with us for another week or so before going to his new home.
The hair ties are being held hostage somewhere with the bobby pins and random sock!! I know it 🙂
Have a wonderful day and thank the good Lord that tomorrow is Friday!!
Typing and painting my nails is the story of my life. I mean, when else do I have the time to sit for that amount of time? I just wish doing your nails wasn’t frowned upon in the office, it would be the perfect time for that…
Haha whoever made that tin is a genius! Yaaas I love Essie gel couture! The best nail polish you can do yourself by far!
Oh my gosh my hair ties are everywhere. Once my husband found one of my hair ties in his cubicle at work! I’ve never even visited his office at that point! ???
Now whenever I find a stray hair tie at home I stick it in my hair. Then at the end of the day I put the ones I’ve collected back in the drawer where they’re supposed to go in my bathroom. Sometimes I end up with like 4 hair ties in my hair. But this has helped me wrangle most of them!
I love Essie Gel Couture but I wish they made more shimmery shades. Their top coat though… ?, I love it. It dries wicked fast and is so smooth and shiny, I use it with all polishes and it doesn’t shrink nor transfer. Mine does not have the same brush as the polish. Have you tried Zoya yet because they have this new brush that you buy separately and is even better than the Essie brush in my opinion.
That tin also made me laugh. I believe the hair ties have teamed up with the socks and have made their escape. 🙂
Looks like the silver cap might be for Canada with le francais on it. It’s awesome that you’ve trimmed your mani time!
Bounce, baby, bounce (the title) reminded me of the old K7 song Come Baby Come. I know. Bad on so many levels. But I may or may not still rock out to it on occasion. HAHA!
WHAT IS THAT BASE COAT? I haven’t seen it near me, but the hunt starts this weekend!
My pug bitsy. Since I brought her home at six weeks old, she’s lived the sweet, pampered life.
She has tons of toys, so much so she has her own toy chest.
But her first love, and still till this day, is the black hair tie.
I finally just gave up and started giving her a stash of her own.
She plays with them for hours on end, using her mouth and nails to sling shot them into me.
But alas, they too also disappear into the black hole everyone has in their own home.
R.I.P black hair ties and socks. Till bitsy find you again..
Have you ever tried Aqmore nail polish? These are non-toxic water-based nail polishes. No fragrance added and no removers needed. To remove them, just dip them in warm water for 45 to 1 minute and peel them off.