Product Recommendations: Rapid Fire!
I got this DM on IG yesterday that truly made my day and inspired me to make this post!
Nails are something that you can make as simple or as complicated as you want, but I think starting with the basics and then branching out and adding in fun things here and there to build your collection slowly (with high quality products!) is the way to go. You know the saying “buy it nice or buy it twice?” That definitely applies to nail products IMO!! If you buy good quality stuff, you’ll have better luck the first time!
This month I’m going to focus on newsletters that feature my product recs and today we are going to start with just some rapid fire requests that I got in my dms! So let’s get into it!!!
Rapid Fire Product Recommendations:
1. Starter Kit For Gel Beginners:
OK so this is going to be the focus of my next newsletter because I really want to make an updated version of this with my new favorites, but in the meantime - you can download a PDF of my starter guide HERE. I still stand by all of these products! But make sure you’re subscribed to get the updated version soon :)
2. Cuticle Oil:
Fancy: Kokoist Nail Oil (my favorite is jasmine but they all smells amazing)
Drugstore: Essie Apricot Roller Ball and/or Aquaphor (I use this multiple times a day!)
3. At-Home Pedicure
I also think this deserves an updated dedicated post because it’s finally sandal season!! But this blog post is a good placeholder until that post!
For painting my toes, I currently am obsessed with doing thin coats of the Nail Thoughts Tinted Builder Bases (because they’re essentially a color and base!) and Ultra Glossy Top Coat. I currently have Sweet Tea Base on my toes and I’m OBSESSED! Or if I’m doing regular polish, I like Olive & June Quick Dry because I don’t have time to wait for my toes to dry!
4. Top Favorite Nail Thoughts Builder Colors:
Sweet Tea Base (I’m seriously considering this for my wedding nails!), Honey Tea Base, Rose Water Base, Hazelnut Creamer Base, Baby Cakes Base currently!!
See more of my favorites, my review & photos in this blog post!
5. Kokoist Platinum Filler Base vs. Nail Thoughts Clear Builder
I think this mostly depends on a) your preferences and b) your nail length/strength!
You would like Kokoist Platinum Filler Base if your nails are: medium strong to strong, medium long to longer, you like working with slower flowing polish with a higher viscosity that self levels more slowly. It is also HEMA free!
You would like Nail Thoughts Clear Builder Base if your nails are: weaker to medium strong, shorter to medium long, you like working with faster flowing polish with a medium viscosity that self levels quickly
I have stronger nails personally, so I reach for PFB more often because I LOVE how strong it makes my nails, especially when they’re longer. I still love CBB, but I typically use PFB if I want clear builder, and Nail Thoughts Tinted Builders when I wanted a color one.
TLDR: You can’t really go wrong, it just depends on your preferences!!
6. Pinky Neutral Color Gels:
Potted: Kokoist Pink Beige Toffy or Rose Tea Toffy (honestly any color from the Toffy collection is sooo pretty! These are sheer just fyi.)
Bottled: Nail Thoughts 100% Cotton is the perfect neutral light pink IMO!! Nail Thoughts Baby Cakes Base is a very similar color but a 3-in-1 tinted builder base :)
See more/all of my color recommendations broken out by color in this spreadsheet!
7. E-File Things:
Not to sound like a broken record, but I think I’m going to make a dedicated post to this too! You have a lot to look forward to ;) But in the meantime, I linked my recommendations here on the “Master List” tab, under Nail Prep Tools!
8. Subtle Cateye/Magnet Gel & Bold Cateye/Magnet Gel Collections:
Subtle: Kokoist Apricot Satin Magnet, Kokoist Peach Nude Water, Kokoist Lavender Water. Anything from Satin Magnet or the first half of Water Magnet tbh - the colors are very soft and nice!
I also love a few from the new Nail Thoughts Magnet Gel Line like Hokkaido Melon (sheer melon colored), Osaka Market (sheer golden), Tokyo Tower (sheer pinky coral).
Bold: Kokoist Tropical Water (bright teal!), Valla Byulling Byulling Lavender (one of my favorite mag gels I’ve ever used!), Yogurt Nail Magic Bead Collection (I have the pink and burnt orange and they’re GORGE!). I also just got this new collection from Jel & Gel that has 10 bright mag gels and I can’t wait to try them!
In general, I think Sweetie Nail Supply has the best bright mag gels if you want something more vibrant, that’s a great place to look! I put more of my picks in this spreadsheet under Magnet Gels!
Ok I think that’s a good starting point for product recs today. Like I said, I’m going to do some more newsletters this month with dedicated product recs and a starter kit, so make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!!
If you want any other product recs, please leave a comment here and I’ll reply with my pick or do a dedicated post!
See you soon! 💋