What looks like tipwear in the "just applied" photo below is due to me rushing and not making sure I had the file angled correctly when I got rid of the excess strip material at my tips.
I don't think of myself as having "man hands" but might have to reconsider; Mr. Karen forgot his wedding ring at home and asked me to bring it to him when I came to the reunion (he got a ride with his sister and I caught up the next morning because I had a friend's wedding to go to that Friday night). It fit my right hand pretty darn well.
Here's what the strips looked like after 8 days of wear:
It might not jump out in the photo above, but I got a gash in the strip on one nail where I'd not smoothed out a wrinkle sufficiently when I was putting them on. The beauty of this pattern is that a black nail art striper camouflaged the damage pretty well—from a normal distance, it was really hard to see anything was wrong even though up close it was clear.
One thing that I didn't notice right away was what looks like bubbles under the bolder parts of the lace pattern. When the strips were fresh, they weren't obvious, just looked like a bit of mottled color in the black to keep it from being too stark, but by the end, they looked like maybe there was a problem with the process that put that last design layer on. Given that I didn't see them until I was studying the close up photos, I'm guessing no one else noticed.
One last reminder: My Apothica giftcard giveaway closes at midnight Eastern U.S. time tonight.
The more I see these, the more I want some! I like the busy, printed ones - it seems like any mistakes on my part would be much less obvious :D
ReplyDeleteI have this pattern in my drawer waiting for use! I am loving how it looks on you. I used the leopard print and was blown away at the ease & wear. And LOL at the ring...if you are anything like me, my right hand fingers are a lot bigger than my left.
ReplyDeleteWANT! Oh my god I love lace so much and these are so pretty. I cannot see any signs of bubbles or any other imperfections, they're just so beautiful!! I need to find a way of getting these lol:P
ReplyDeleteI am so tempted to try these.
ReplyDeleteThese look very nice on your nails . I kind of want to try them .
ReplyDeleteHa,I was just about to do a Konad lace mani and here is your post! They look great on you. I do have a question, since I've never used those, did you use a top coat?
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the lacy one. It's a sexy pattern. :) I think you did a grand job of applying these.
ReplyDeleteI *think* I have this one in my stash, not sure. It wears really wear for me!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the cut on your nail until you said something about it. Good job fixing it!
ReplyDelete8 days?! Count me super impressed. I wonder if I can get these in the UK...
ReplyDeletei love this pattern, pity we cant get them here
ReplyDeleteshel xx
This looks awesome. I defn want to try these although I am having severe doubts about my application abilities - this looks fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty. I never tried this strips but the lace look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI like the design of the strips a lot and the lasted a long time! You did camouflage that great with a black striper! I want to try these but I would take them off in like 2 days anyway because im like a spaz with my nails lol but maybe if I go on like a long vacation ill try them out!!:D
ReplyDeleteI gave you another award! lol I know the other award I gave you is on your list still but you deserved this award too, so now you can add another thing to your list!;)lol
Just purchased these and can't wait to use them. I have the fishnet ones on now. I think they super easy to use and last a good while.
ReplyDeleteWow, they look great! I´m really impressed, that they lasted that long! :)
ReplyDeleteBtw I tagged you! http://redhairandblacknailpolish.blogspot.com/2011/07/tag-where-do-i-store-my-cosmetics.html
Very pretty! Were they easy to apply? I am amazed at the wear and I bet you got many compliments, they look great on your nails :D
ReplyDeleteI really want to try this pattern next time I buy the Salon Effects, it's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe lace is so elegant love it and 8 days oh lawd! That's unheard off I need to pick sum up thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteLarie, you're right; the more busy prints do a great job of hiding any issues.
nailXchange, I don't use top coat with these, but I have heard of people who do and say it increases wear even more.
Cel, they're pretty easy to work with, especially the printed ones (I had more trouble with the plain color, as it seemed thinner and more prone to flop over onto itself). As with a lot of things, not rushing is probably the most important thing.