Best/Worst Drugstore Gel Polishes

Nail polish will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up around it. My Grandmother had a salon and even had her own makeup line (including polish), named after me and my sister.

I spent a lot of time at the salon and at her home, playing with makeup. And when we got to spend the night, my Grandmother would give us a special manicure of painted nails with a tiny rhinestone on top--the original accent nail!

I remember making my own shades when I was little and coming up with all sorts of nail tips and tricks. I use a lot of them today still! I would mix eye shadow with clear polish, I would draw nail art designs on my school binder, then peel them off and glue to my nails. I would mix glue and polish as a base coat--now common for peel-off glitter polishes.

It's no surprise I have over 350 polishes (thanks blogging), including all sorts of gel polishes. Gel polishes are amazing because they last so long on the nails--while traditionally done in a salon, there are many at-home lamp kits. And drugstore brands have gone a step further with no-lamp-needed versions. Plus, they all remove just like regular polish! I've been testing these out over the past couple of years and thought I'd share the best and worst drugstore gel polishes.

I will be categorizing them by gel polish, gel top coat, and gel polish kits.

I will rate them on shininess (1-3 stars) and on lasting power.

I did not review shiny top coats--it had to have "gel" in the title.

Gel Polish

(1 step)

Covergirl XL Nail Gel

• $5+
• 10 colors 
• Shininess:**
• Lasts: 2-3 days without chipping
• Overall: I really like the application, color selection, and wear of these. 

Essence The Gel Nail Polish

• $2
• ULTA, Target, online
• 16 colors
• Shininess:  **
• Lasts 2-3 days
• Overall:  Cute colors, cute bottle, and not bad for the price

Wet N Wild 1 Step Gel

• $5
• 5 colors
• Shininess: **
• Lasts: 2-4 days. When I first tested this, it lasted and did so well. In the past few times I've worn this, it hasn't lasted long.
• Overall: Fun to try, but lasts as long as a regular polish.

Revlon Color Envy Gel

• $8
• 30 colors
• Shininess: **
• Lasts: 3 days
• Overall: Not especially glossy

Gel Top Coat

(Can be applied over regular polish and certain gel polishes)

Essie Gel Setter

• $10
• Shininess: ***
• Lasts: 4 days
• Overall: This gets mixed reviews but I have loved it every time I've tried it.

Julie G Gel Effect Plumping Top Coat

• $4.99
• Online, Rite Aid
• Shininess: ***
• Lasts: 3-4 days
• Overall: I was surprised at how well this did for the price.

Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat

• $3.99
• Online, Target, ULTA
• Shininess: ***
• Lasts 3-4 days
• Overall: I tried this with the Essence Gel and didn't really see a difference in lasting time. I liked this.

Gel Polish Kits

(Requires 2 steps, 2 polishes)

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Coat

• $12.99
• Over 30 colors
• Shininess: **
• Lasts: 1-3 days
• Overall: Not my fave, but not bad

Orly Color Amp'd

• $14.99
• 45 colors
• Shininess: ***
• Lasts: 1-2 days
• Overall: I saw this on clearance at Target and that should have been my first clue. The colors were streaky and it didn't last at all. Orly has lots of great polishes, including professional gel polishes, but I didn't like this one.

SinfulColors Sinful Shine

• $2.98
• Lots of colors--there are new collections constantly, so it's hard to pinpoint an amount
• Shininess: **.5
• Lasts: 4 days
• Overall: I have used the Sinful Shine in the past and it's okay. But the 2 step with the gel top coat is new to me. I really liked it.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

• $7.59 x 2. I don't see these sold as often as kits anymore
• Lots of colors
• Shininess: **
• Lasts: 4 days
• Overall: I have reviewed this before and didn't really like it. But everyone and their mom said to try the new top coat--it's labeled 101. And it is really good! This was my fave of all, next to Essence, JulieG, and SinfulColors

Which of these is your fave?

Which one would you try?

Extra Elle:

• Happy St. Pats! Over the weekend I got binge-watched Peaky Blinders on Netflix. It's a BBC show about a gang in the 1920s in Ireland. It's violent, completely unlike what I like to watch, and it is so good. Kind of like Sons of Anarchy in a different time era.
• Kylie Lip Kit GIVEAWAY--enter here. Instagram only!
• I've got 2 big giveaways going on: 2 winners for curling irons/wands (so easy) and $300 2 winners to either Sephora or Target.

Hard Candy All Glossed Up Lip Crayons Vs. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Crayons

Happy St. Pats! I am a lip crayon FANATIC, to put it lightly. I've tested every brand ever released. I have 3 Muji drawers full of them. They're in all my bags because they are so easy to apply. And they've started coming in different finishes--more on that in a moment. So when I spotted some from Hard Candy at Wal-Mart recently, I had to pick up a couple to see how they are--the packaging and finishes reminded me of ones from Revlon. I had to compare them and am sharing my results with you. I call this weekly series, This or That.

Spring Nail Trends At Walgreens!

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #WalgreensBeauty

Every spring, for Memorial Weekend, my best friends and I head to the beach for a week. Expect my Instagram to have beach pics really soon! As our friendships have evolved through moving away, breakups, marriages, and having children, it's the one tradition we keep and it means so much. It gives us a chance to reconnect, and it's always like no time has passed. But before I leave, there's a massive shopping trip. You can't wear the same bathing suits as last year, right? And of course, there's a trip to Walgreens for makeup and to find the perfect nail color. I've been on the hunt for just the right color, I mean colors for spring, because we all know I cannot choose just one!

#Walgreensbeauty is my go-to for beauty, and they have Revlon, one of my fave brands!

Walgreens has a huge variety of the most gorgeous shades of nail polishes for spring. You've gotta stop by and see what they've got! They have everything you need for the perfect pedi and mani, including brands Essie and Revlon, and can be purchased online or in store. So let's see what I picked up for me and my friends:

First up is Revlon--they have irresistible nail shades that nail all the trends, including some classic colors. I know not all of my friends are into wild colors like I am, like my friend Elizabeth--she will love the red Fearless for her toes this spring. Revlon's polishes feature a Chip Defiant™ formula. And Candace will use Bubbly--a gorgeously smooth bubble gum pink color!

Pictured: Chills & Thrills, Too Taboo, Sitting Pretty, Vices Versa, Serial Shopper, I'm Addicted

Next up is the new neon collection from Essie--does this make you think spring and summer or what? Walgreens has hundreds of Essie nail shades--you'll be sure to find something that you'll love! I can't decide which one I want to wear first. Or which one my friends will take borrow first!

Look at these beautiful colors! Which one is your fave? These dry to a cross between a shiny and a satin finish (but closer to a soft satin), and these swatches are without flash, one coat and in natural light. And of course, I had to thrown in some easy nail art:

I love doing an accent nail with a fun design like one of these. My friend Lety is the same way! Using a toothpick, I made dots in each color. That's it! These make me think of sprinkles on ice cream or cupcakes.

And for the second, I used cotton swabs dipped in each color and dabbed them on. I added a top coat to help blur/blend the colors together. Easy!

What colors are you loving for spring?

Spring Haul: ULTA and New Drugstore Beauty (Video)

Ah, nothing says SPRING like new beauty products, right? Anyone? Just me? Well, regardless, I'm sharing some recent hauls from the past couple of months. Enjoy!

ULTA:

• It Cosmetics: CC Cream and Bye Bye Under Eye
• Essence: Get Big Lashes and Lash Mania Reloaded mascaras
• NYX: Dark Circle Concealer (light and medium)

Rite Aid:

• Lip Smackers: lip gloss and raspberry sparkler (these smell amazing)
• Revlon: Killa Watt, Atomic Pink
• Milani: Brilliant Shine glosses, Power Lip, Liquid Color
• NYC: Expert Last lipstick

• Sinful Colors polishes in Nice Stems and Blue Lucite
• NYC polishes in Top Gold and Lafayette Park
• Milani Sugar Rush
• LA Colors Flash Pop (got this at KMart)

• Maybelline Eye Studio Quads in Nude Romance and Take It Off
• LA Colors: Mascaras, foundation, nail polish remover (Kmart)
• Wet N Wild shadow brush

Wanna know more about the products and more about me?

Then please click the video I made for you!

Can't see the video? Visit my Youtube channel here.

PS: Got wrinkles? Got stretch marks? Wanna see 'em disappear? Enter to win a tube of Strivectin SD Advanced.

Easy, Quick New Year's Eve Makeup

Happy New Year's Eve! What are your plans? If you're looking for an easy, quick look, you're in the right place! Today I'm sharing classic makeup looks that look great on everyone, because let's be honest, no one has time for the smokey eye or practicing playing with adding glitter. Enjoy!

5 Minutes to Get Ready:

• Oily skin? Blot face with Starbucks napkins.
• Apply a shimmery shadow to the center of lids with your pointer finger. Gently blend out on the sides of lid with ring finger. My favorite is Stila's Kitten.
• Not into shadow? Dab a tiny amount of plain Chapstick to lids for shine.
• Curl lashes and add mascara
• Already wearing mascara? Gently curl base of lashes with lash curler (your lashes will be fine as long as you gently apply pressure) or with a metal spoon.
• Apply red lip crayon to lips. This is the easiest way to wear red lips. I like versions by Revlon (original or matte formula), Jordana, The Big Lip Pencil.
• Still feel intimidated? Outline and fill in lips with a red lip liner and add a clear gloss or Chapstick on top.
• If needed, use a makeup setting spray (or make your own using Witch Hazel). These are available in dewy and matte formulas. I like Urban Decay, Skindavinia, NYX, or Model in a Bottle.

NYE Makeup Tips:
-If you have 15 minutes or more, try these tips!

• If you're starting from foundation, and you need your makeup to last all night, spray your face first with a makeup setting spray. Then apply primer (if desired), moisturizer (if desired), foundation, concealer, and powder as usual. Spray again.
• For lids, you cannot beat neutral shimmery shadows. And palettes featuring them can be found at any budget. I'm wearing the Eye on Neutral Shimmer one pictured from Sonia Kashuk at Target, but I also love the Pop one I featured in my latest Ipsy bag or the Naked 2 Palette. This Almay trio is a fave of mine as well.
• Start with a light shimmery shade all over the lid. In the crease, blend out a brown shimmer shadow. It should be darkest in the crease and blended out towards the brow. Next, add the darkest brown in the outer "v" of the eye. Blend and blend that same shadow under the lower lash line.
• If you're not into all of that but want a little sparkle, I like champagne shimmery shadows for those with lighter skin and golden shimmery shadows for darker complexions, but wear what you like!
• I love a little eyeliner flick, and it's much easier than you think! The key is to use an angeled eyeliner brush. These can be purchased for really cheap, like ELF or Sonia Kashuk (pictured). I use a gel liner for this--Wet N Wild and Maybelline are some good drugstore options. I start at the outer edge of my eye and imagine I'm drawing a tiny flick in the direction as if to meet the end of my eyebrow. Here's an old tutorial of this. 
• If you're into false lashes, my best tip is to cut them in half or thirds. But for something easier, I really have been loving the L'Oreal Butterfly mascara. Other favorites include Maybelline Big Eyes or Too Faced Better Than Sex mascaras.
• Highlighter brushed above cheekbones is gorgeous for a night out. I used The Balm's May Lou-Manizer, which shows really well in non-flash photos (I use it more for this than in real life) but I also recommend Revlon's Skinlights (liquid), Wet N Wild's Reserve Your Cabana, Hard Candy's Tiki, or MAC MSF.
• You can't beat a red lip, but if you want something a little less low-maintenance, you need a lip crayon. Revlon's original lip crayons (pictured) or the new matte ones are so easy to apply. 
• Complete your look with a gold glitter polish. These can be found for every budget. 

Bonus Tips:

• More NYE makeup hair and makeup ideas
• NYE On-the-Go Kit
• How to Avoid Flashback in Photos
• NYE Survival Kit
• Hangover Facial Mask
• No More Stinky NYE
• NYE Entertaining Ideas
• NYE Makeup

See y'all next year! Be safe, behave, and be well. Love, Elle

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:

• Neutrogena for the New Year (FOUR WINNERS)
• Naked 3 Palette

Revlon Shadows: My Secret Weapon (Giveaway!)

All sample products reviewed were provided by Revlon.

The holidays just call for a little sparkle, don’t they? And I love wearing a little sparkle on my eyes. It's the easiest way to wear sparkle, especially if sequins aren't your thing. But I don't always have time to get ready, as I'm usually leaving straight from work to an event. Let me introduce you to the Revlon PhotoReady™ Primer, Shadow + Sparkle.

Here are the palettes I received:

Watercolors—gorgeous lilacs

Impressionist—sparkly browns, neutrals

Avant Garde—beautiful blue, grey, and silver

But what makes them different from other shadows? The Revlon PhotoReady™ Primer, Shadow + Sparkle allows you to easily create limitless looks with one palette! These palettes also feature a primer, 3 highly pigmented shadows and a sparkle top coat. I like having everything I need in one palette, for those times when I need to get ready after work and don’t have time to run home. Plus, there are directions on the back that show exactly where to place the shadows. You’ve got a gorgeous look that looks like you spent a lot of time and money to achieve.

So let’s get into the looks:

• I chose to follow the directions just like on the package. First, I applied the primer all over the lid up to the brow bone. I used a flat shader brush, but a clean finger will work in a pinch.
• Next, I added the bottom shade all over the lid using a flat shader brush. 
• I used the center shade on the crease and applied it in a windshield-wiper motion with a crease brush.
• I swept the top shade as a highlight over my brown bone. I used a small detail brush for this.
• For that extra bit of enhancement, I applied the sparkle coat all over the lids.

Watercolors

I did the same process for the other two looks. They’re gorgeous shadows, aren’t they? Just finish up with loads of mascara (or false lashes!) and your favorite lip color.

Impressionist

• To save time adding eyeliner, I smudged the darkest shade along the top and lower lashes. The shadows can be used wet to intensify them.

I like to add the glitter top coat to just the center of my lids in this look. It helps to open the eyes!

If you’re looking for sparkle this holiday, with a look that’s easy to apply, as well as a versatile product, then you need the The Revlon PhotoReady™ Primer, Shadow + Sparkle.

And now it’s time for a little giveaway, don’t you think? 

Simply answer the question below:

 "Which favorite beauty tip secret would you like to reveal?"  

 Leave a comment with email for the chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. 

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive two (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
• Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
• Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winner will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/18/13-12/15/13.
Be sure to visit the Revlon Brand Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts and find more chances to win!