video review

Video Review: Sula Water Based Nail Polish

by grechen on February 16, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

I haven’t had a professional manicure in forever – I used to get one every two weeks many years ago and loved it, but it became too expensive AND my manicure didn’t last any longer than it did when I did it at home. So I started trying out different polishes to see what I liked the best and did my nails at home. By FAR my favorite nail polish is Chanel – I have 4-5 shades, my favorites are Vamp for Winter color and Ballerina for Summer (I constantly have this on my toes).

But alas, I’m tiring of the strong odor of both the polish and the heavy-duty remover I need to get the Vamp off my nails, and am starting to try and replace my old polish with new, eco-friendlier, non-toxic polish – starting with a water-based polish by Sula. I was especially intrigued by this one because you’re supposed to be able to peel it off, and I was also a sucker for the cute packaging LOL:

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KEImatUXLA

(sorry that the video is a little blurry when I’m trying to get the close-ups, I was trying to do this by myself!) The only thing I would say about this is that I didn’t use a base coat (supposedly it’s not necessary with a water-based polish) and after peeling the polish off, my nails were extremely dry. I read on another website that if you don’t use a base coat, you should brush your nails with cuticle oil a few minutes before applying the polish. I actually do this every time, but only on my cuticles, using Solar Oil, but I didn’t use the oil on my nails. I would definitely suggest that you do that though…

I also did some research and came up with this list of non-toxic or water-based (or both) nail polish available online – if you know of any I missed, PLEASE let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!

Water-Based Nail Polish

WaterColors nail enamel
Suncoat
Acquarella
Honeybee Gardens
Sula
Toxic Free Boutique

Formaldehyde, Toluene & DBP-free Nail Polish

Orly
Butter London
Lippmann Collection
Rescue Beauty Lounge
NARS
Adoree
nubar
Peacekeeper
Zoya
Chanel, Revlon, OPI, Sally Hanson, Rimmel, Calvin Klein, M.A.C., Avon, and many other of the “big” brand nail polishes are also “three free.” But this is only for relatively recent formulations – some of the older versions probably still have the chemicals in them (my Chanel polishes are probably in the older formulation category…they’re pretty old!)

A good resource for everything nail polish related, including WHY it’s important to buy three-free or water-based nail polish: All Lacquered Up

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TOMS Shoes Video Review

by grechen on January 6, 2009 | SUBSCRIBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK |

Okay, so this is my first video post…be gentle!! Actually, it’s just the shoes and my voice for now, my hair is such a mess, I need to wait until my next cut/color appointment before I let you see my face LOL. So, I’ll post an outfit picture and more of me in a week or so, but until now, here are my thoughts on my new TOMS Shoes:

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi7-Mj6vMRM

Now, in case you don’t know about TOMS already, it’s built on a one for one business model: you buy a pair of shoes, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need. Simple. No percentage of profits or percentage of sales, just a simple buy one, give one. Since starting in 2006, TOMS has given 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in South Africa, and this past holiday season, gave 37,000 pairs of shoes to children in Ethiopia. I love the simplicity, yet profound impact of the TOMS Shoes business model – brilliant.

As I mentioned in the video, these shoes had to grow on me a bit. When they first came out two years ago, my initial reaction was “no thanks, not for me.” They reminded me of the slippers my grandfather used to wear, and didn’t really look like something I could incorporate into my wardrobe. But since I received these, I can’t stop wearing them. I still don’t think they’re THAT flattering on me (I love them on girls who can wear skinny jeans, with smaller calves than me) but I wear them anyway. When I took this video, I was wearing them with a knee-length black skirt and thought the outfit looked generally cute; I got quite a few compliments on the shoes wearing them this way!

My TOMS Shoes are also very comfortable – kind of like I’m wearing slippers. And if you’re asking why I chose the blue sparkley ones, instead of something more subtle if I wasn’t sure I could incorporate them into my wardrobe? Simple, I just wanted a super-fun pair of shoes. And whenever I wear these, I can’t help but smile. Mostly because I know that my purchase directly benefited a child in need, but also because they’re sparkley…I do like to be girly sometimes!

Oh, and the video was taken with my new Flip MinoHD video camera. I’m obviously still getting the hang of taking videos, but the Flip is SO easy to use it’s silly…I love it.

And P.S., use code GRECHEN for 15% off TOMS Shoes at their website.

Anybody else have a pair of TOMS? Do you love them? what color did you get?

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