Hurricane Sandy really gave a beating to my area and I am so grateful that all my friends and family are safe and have had minimal damage effecting them. A lot of people in my area were not so lucky. I've been touched by the caring and giving nature of those around me sharing hot meals and power if they had it. I've donated what I can to the relief cause and if you would like to give a little something as a donation feel free to check out the Red Cross donation page.
Now onto what I do best, polish!
I was lucky enough to kinda meet Jill who runs Glisten and Glow here in the states. (Kinda because we met online!) We were both part of the blogger giveaway from last month where she gave away some of her great Glisten and Glow products and I gave away a China Glaze gift set.
When she heard I had not tried her amazing fast drying and super shiny top coat she sent me a bottle out right away! I could not wait! All I've heard were wonderful things and I was getting slightly exasperated with my Seche Vite always getting thick and gloopy and shrinking all my polish down.
She did not let me down!
I decided to give her top coat a hard core test drive by doing my first ever studded manicure using China Glaze Liquid Leather, Glisten and Glow's HK Girl Fast Drying + Super Shiny Top Coat and some bronze studs.
For my studded look I first painted the China Glaze Liquid Leather. One nail at a time I did a coat of Glisten and Glows HK Girl top coat and quickly worked with a tweezer to place the studs where I wanted them in a grid pattern. On the ring finger I decided to get a little fancy and do a double chevron band. The HK Girl top coat really was quick drying! After a row or two of studs on each finger nail I would have to go back with a brush to spot the top coat on and drop the stud where I wanted.
After each nail was studded properly I sealed it in with a top coat of Glisten and Glows HK Girl over the entire nail for an extra strong hold. Here is my finished product!
The studs stayed in place exactly where I wanted them and the Glisten and Glow HK Girl Fast Drying + Super Shiny Top Coat really dried fast (sooner than I expected) and strong. You can see how glossy the top coat is on the reflection of the studs.
Unlike the problems I've had with Seche Vite, HK Girl had NO shrinkage whatsoever and stayed thin and brushable. No thick, bubble prone toppers here!
The studs stuck in my mani very well for the first three days, much longer than I expected they would. In the past when I've had non polish materials on my nails I'm lucky if they last all day and even luckier if they go onto day two. A few of the edge studs that had contact in my every day activities started to loosen and drop off after day three. When I decided to take the mani off I tried pulling the studs out before applying polish remover and they wouldn't budge! What a great protective top coat!
I have since used Glisten and Glows HK Girl top coat on just polish manis and I have not had any shrinkage, chipping problems or thickening of the formula (keep in mind I don't usually wear polish more than a day or two).
A+ on this baby! I don't think I will ever go to another top coat brand after trying this. I highly suggest Glisten and Glows HK Girl top coat. It is a fantastic formula, great protectant and very affordable. Plus you will be supporting an independent brand!
You can find Jills Glisten and Glow products here:
Jill has products from her Glisten and Glow line including the top coat, bath and shower products, lotions and lip products availble. She even has China Glaze and OPI products. Be sure to check her out!
This polish was sent for review and is based on my individual, honest opinion!
I'm a HUGE fan of HK Girl!!! I love your mani. Where did you get your studs please????
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