TIPS Promo Set - get your nails in great shape for less than $16.00

Hey Gals, 

Just wanted to let you know that there is an AWESOME deal being offered by ASK Cosmetics Inc., a Canadian company specializing in innovative, safe and effective nail, skin and hair care products.  I know some of you have tried TIPS Nail Conditioner with great success.  And some more of you have even filed with the Contour Nail File having zero grit strength.  A few nail bloggers have used it and were amazed at how it helped get rid of their "peelies".  It's specifically designed to seal the ends in order to promote longer, stronger growth.  Guaranteed - you've never tried anything like it before!

Well, good news because the set including 1 bottle of TIPS Nail Conditioner (5 ml) PLUS the Contour Nail File is still on sale for $15.99 + FREE SHIPPING internationally.  Now's the time to stock up for yourself, treat a BFF, get some Xmas gifts for friends and family or buy some "just because" gifts you might like to give on special occasions.  Just so you know how much you're really saving....... the normal cost of this set and shipping would be approx $40.00 (not including applicable taxes).

If you've been on the fence about trying TIPS Nail Conditioner, now would be a good time to give it a shot at this incredible price.

TIPS Nail Conditioner is a one-step, one product treatment for both nails and cuticles.  In just 2 - 3 minutes every morning you'll nourish your nails with lipids, moisturize them, fortify them and every TIPS application will help protect your nails from the damage water and harsh cleaning chemicals do to our nails during our everyday life.  Brittle, peeling, chipping, cracking, weak nails will be a thing of the past!

This offer is only valid until Aug 31st, 2013.  You can order online right here or call in your order toll free in North America at 1-877-275-5566 and be sure to mention you would like the TIPS PROMO set for $15.99.

Cheers,

Lisa

P.S.  If you know of anybody who might be looking for an effective nail treatment, be sure to share & tweet this out as well.

Let's get social:

Follow me here on this blog for helpful nail care tips!
Tweet with me on Twitter!
Pin with us on Pinterest!
Fan us on Facebook!
Watch me on YouTube!
Follow also via Instagram @TIPSbyASKCosmetics (that's me!)

Can't wait to connect with you - til then, Lisa

Base Coats: Are they necessary or a waste of time?

From left to right:  Essie's "Fill the Gap" ridge smoothing base coat,  Maybelline New York "Express Finish 50 Second Base & Top Coat",  ASK Cosmetics' Base Coat, 

Seche Clear - Crystal Clear Base Coat

 

You don't need to make an appointment at the salon and spend tons of money on getting the perfect manicure or pedicure.  It's possible to do it at home if you follow the right steps.

 

Experts say these steps begin with a clear base coat, which helps your polish of choice stick to your nails more easily.  A base coat also creates a barrier that in turn aids in protecting your nails from the damaging effects of nail varnish.  Base coats prevent staining and peeling, AND they will give your polished nails a more even texture.

 

Base coats come in different varieties:  plain, ridge-filler varieties and a dual purpose top & base coat in one.  Ridge-filling base coats are thicker than regular ones.  As their task is to fill in any lines, ridges and grooves giving the nails a smoother-looking appearance.

 

After the base coat dries (and it should dry relatively quickly with the exception of ASK Cosmetics' Base Coat which remains slightly tacky for better adherence of the polish), apply 2 thin coats of lacquer rather than one in order to give your nails a richer look.  Side note - by applying thin layers of polish your DIY manicure will last longer and not be as prone to chipping.  If you want to skip the coloured polishes altogether, you can simply use a base coat on its own to make your nails look shiny, but natural.

 

Finish off every manicure or pedicure with a good quality top coat to seal in the polish, create a shiny appearance and prevent chipping during wear.  Be advised that some products (Maybelline Express Finish 50 Second Base & Top Coat as seen above) combine a base and top coat functionality, but they may not work as well as the individual base and top coats.

 

So, although it may seem like a hassle at the time, base coats do extend the life of your manicure and help to avoid yellowed nails if you lean towards very pigmented shades such as fire-engine red!

 

 

Do you take the extra step to apply base coat?  If so, what is your favourite brand?

Let's get social:

Follow me here on this blog for helpful nail care tips!
Tweet with me on Twitter!
Pin with us on Pinterest!
Fan us on Facebook!
Watch me on YouTube!
Follow also via Instagram @TIPSbyASKCosmetics (that's me!)

Can't wait to connect with you - til then, Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

Azure Seas by Maybelline

An unbelievably beautiful blue!  It reminds me of wonderful vacations by the seaside and awakes a strong yearning to head to the beach.  I present "Azure Seas #990" by Maybelline to you today!

 

Seen here are 2 coats of this wonderful summery shade.  The photos I display on my blog are usually taken outside in natural light as I find it shows the polish shades closest to their appearance.  I also enjoy finding enhancing, natural backgrounds for my shots - like this one in front of one of my beautiful hosta plants.  The contrast of blue on green here really makes this polish shade come alive, don't you think?

 

 

Whether in the direct sunshine or in the shade this colour is so attractive.  The name is quite suitable and I couldn't stop comparing my nails to the colour of the water in a movie I recently watched.  Have you ever seen "Out of the Blue" starring Paul Walker, Jessica Alba and Josh Brolin?  Well, this was the very first time I saw a movie with Ms. Alba.  The jury is still out on her acting ability, but what I enjoyed most about this movie was the fantastic underwater footage and the breathtaking scenery on the waters surrounding the Bahamas.

 

This is definitely one blue that will be in my collection for a while.  The application was good as always with the Maybelline Color Show polishes.  The brush quality is normal and allows for easy application (please don't look too closely at the job I did here - two strong cups of coffee are not a good pre-requisite for an excellent mani!!)  The wear was standard as well - 5 - 6 days without any significant wear showing up.  I've tried others from the Maybelline collections before and I think they are great!  In this particular case, you get the quality you pay for.

 

Best Practice Advice:  For those of you who use TIPS Nail Conditioner or TIPS for Toes - don't forget to apply TIPS every day around your cuticles and under your natural nail.  Your newly developing nail begins to form between your first knuckle and your moons, so apply TIPS back that far as it penetrates and replenishes the nails and cuticles with essential lipids that we strip our fingers of each day.

 

For more information on these nail care/nail treatment products,

go to ASK Cosmetics website/online shop.

 

Is this a shade you would wear?  Does it make you want to pack your bags and head for the Caribbean?

 

Thanks for stopping by and take care,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

TIPS Nail Conditioner featured on QVC

Finally the day of the huge TIPS Nail Conditioner re-launch on QVC US has arrived.  We've been waiting and preparing for this day for a long time.  Major changes had to be made:  new logo, new bottle size, updated instructions, etc. 

 

All good things take time and we are extremely proud of the result.

 

The new logo and new bottle size can be seen in this photo.

 

Karen Orlowski, founder and creator of TIPS and ASK Cosmetics Inc., developed her flagship product approx. 20 years ago.  She first started selling her unique nail care products on The Shopping Channel and after seeing how successful it was as a shopping network item she ventured into the USA and was accepted with open arms.  Now, hundreds of thousands of women and men swear by TIPS and TIPS for Toes as their go-to product for nail problems. 

 

The instructions has also been translated into French in order to accomodate our French-speaking customers around the world.

In this photo you can still see the old logo on the TIPS for Toes bottle.  However, the new, modern logo is printed in the TIPS brochure.

 

So, be sure to tune in Saturday July 13th between 7 - 8 am EST  Early Morning Beauty with Leah Williams for the TIPS Nail Conditioner kit and the inventor herself, Karen Orlowski.

 

For more information on ASK Cosmetics Inc. and

all their innovative, enhancing cosmetics check out their website.

 

 

 

 

And we have a winner.......

Hope you all had the chance to enter the TIPS Celebration Set Giveaway by ASK Cosmetics Inc.  The prize package includes:

 

 

1 x bottle of Perfect Red, 1 x bottle of Revival Nail Polish Remover and 1 x bottle (new size) of TIPS Nail Conditioner. All product by ASK Cosmetics Inc. of Canada.

 

And now, huge congratulations go to......

 

Elizabeth Vlug

 

  

Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned as we will be staging another giveaway very soon.

TIPS Celebration Set for Canada's Birthday

Join in the fun and place your entries for the ASK Cosmetics "TIPS Celebration Set" Giveaway.

 

You could be the lucky winner of:

 

1 bottle of TIPS Nail Conditioner (new size 7 ml), 1 bottle of ASK Nailwear "Perfect Red", 1 bottle of Revival Nail Polish Remover

 

Good luck to all those who enter!

 

What is your absolute favourite thing about Canada as a country?

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pinkalicious meets Fake Tattoos

There's nothing better than talking with your hands, no literally, I mean having a little message on your nails.

 

It seemed to be a perfect match-up:  Pinkalicious and Fake Tattoo's Heart & Text Design sheet.

 

Seen here are 2 coats of Maybelline's Pinkalicious, a true pink in every sense of the colour!

 

This was the sheet of nail tattoos before I cut them out for the manicure. 

 

For ordering info contact:  info@faketattoos.se or

visit their website right here.

 

To view other posts of mine involving nail tattoos click on:

 

Blue Balloon and Ocean Designs by FAKE TATTOOS

 

Much Better than the Real Thing

 

Girls just wanna have fun

 

Now let's get back to business, shall we?!

 

As Enigmatic Rambles - Review Nail Tattoos correctly stated in her blog post on these nail tattoos - they are more of a water transfer.  They are so very easy to apply and come off without any trouble whatsoever with regular nail polish remover.

 

As you can see in this photo better the heart tattoo on my little finger cracked slightly right after application before putting on top coat.

 

Seen here are 2 coats of Sheer French Pink by ASK Cosmetics Inc. complimented with FAKE TATTOOS.

 

I definitely give nail tattoos the THUMBS UP!

 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stay in touch with me and my beauty-related info.

 

Take care,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect Tips & Toes with a little help from Nailene

After seeing so many different, stunningly modern variations of the "Classic French Manicure", I can't tell you how excited I was to try one for myself.  Knowing I had two awesome polish shades, which would compliment each other famously, I began the manicure with much enthusiasm. 

 

Base Colour was 2 coats of O.P.I.'s From A to Zurich and the tips are Rich Sapphire by ASK Cosmetics Inc.

 

I can't begin to express how much I enjoy working with O.P.I.'s nail lacquer.  The application is so smooth, and the brushes are so easy to work with.  This shade is by no means a strong red, but rather a muted shade that has sophistication to it. 

You can read my review/swatch of this gorgeous shade right here.

 

 

 I've had this sitting around anxiously waiting to be used, so today was the day.  The idea is ingenious, but would they leave a clean, French mani look?

 

The instructions are well labelled on the back of the package.

 

So, as you can clearly see, I didn't manage to place the strips straight across the ends of my nails.  In addition, my nails have a squoval shape, which makes the end effect look slightly different than if you were sporting square-shaped nails. 

 

 

At this point - Rich Sapphire by ASK Cosmetics enters the scene. 

 

Yes, it looks messy, but wait to see the final result.

 

Wowza!! The strips have been removed and a good, healthy coat of ASK Cosmetics Top Coat has been applied for extra shine and long-lasting wear.

 

I simply love the effect! 

 

My final comments on this product by Nailene:

 

 

These "strips" were super easy to work with; stuck to your nails "like glue"; held their position extremely well; were very easy to remove, and they didn't allow the contrasting tip shade of polish to run. 

Each package holds 96 strips, so well worth the money you pay as you can do manis and pedis several times over.

 

Just a bit of trivia today......

 

Did you know...the French manicure isn't actually French? It's a product of old Hollywood and the pain of actresses needing to change their polish for every wardrobe change. Who knew?

 

 

Do you prefer the classic version of the French mani or do you like to change it up a bit like I did?

 

 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to leave a comment below and stay in touch,  Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Season has officially started!

Berry Me by GOSH is a lush shade that definitely has a fitting name.  The colour is a combination of strawberries, raspberries, with a slight hint of blueberries. 

 

Seen here are 2 coats of this Special Edition GOSH polish.

 

My personal rating for Berry Me (on a scale from 1 - 10, the higher the #, the better the rating):

a) Coats:                                It took two coats for opacity   = 9
b) Thickness of Polish:         Not too thick at all, evened out nicely  = 9
c)  Ease of Application:        Brush allowed for super easy application = 10
d)  Appeal Factor:                 Rich shade, can be worn year-round  = 10

Added some super shine and durability to this manicure by finishing off with

ASK Cosmetics' Top Coat.

 

If you are a user of TIPS Nail Conditioner and you're wondering how to apply TIPS with polished nails here are our "tips" for you:

 

1.  Remove ALL nail polish with our Revival Nail Polish Remover.  If you are wearing thick polish and/or several layers, use a 2nd cotton pag to ensure EVERYTHING is removed.

 

2.  Wash your hands with soap and water.

 

3.  Wait at least one hour before applying fresh nail polish.

 

4.  First apply a clear base coat.

 

5.  Then apply the desired nail polish.

 

6.  Wait 24 hours for the polish to dry completely.

 

7.  Apply TIPS Nail Conditioner once or twice daily around the cuticles and skin surrounding the nail as well as under the free edges of your natural nail.

 

Be sure to follow me for more swatches, nail care advice, reviews, contests and more:

• via Facebook click here
• on Pinterest click here
• watch us on YouTube click here
• follow us on Twitter click here

Thanks for stopping by today.  Enjoy the rest of your day!

 

Til next time,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is the fairest of them all?

 

The two swatches I will show you today are truly sleek understatements.  In my humble opinion they radiate elegance as well as sophistication.

Rimmel London's French Manicure PRO - French Rose

ASK Cosmetics' Sheer French Pink

 

Let's begin with Rimmel London....

 

Seen here:  3 coats

 

As the name implies, this polish will add a fine touch of light pink to your nails preparing them for a lovely French Manicure (or left without the extra applied white tips).

 

This polish is meant to be the base of a classic French manicure, however I think you could also wear it as shown above.  What do you think about this:  yes or no?

 

Now on to Sheer French Pink.......

 

Seen here:  3 coats for a good comparison (Normally I would only wear 2 coats of this polish.)

 

This shade (or lack thereof) really accentuates your natural nail colour.  It brings out the white tips and pink part of your nails very well.

 

I finish up all my manicures with an application of TIPS Nail Conditioner by ASK Cosmetics Inc.  It keeps my nails strong, yet flexible, nourished and hydrated, protected from water. 

 

For more information on any products by ASK Cosmetics click here.

 

Now, be sure and leave me a comment:  Do you prefer understated nails for certain situations?  Does either one of the above shades appeal to you?

 

Til next time,  Lisa M.