Beauty Issues during Covid 19 - Megathread - Hair, nails, brows etc

December2012 · 13-05-2020 2:03pm

I still have a bit of shellac left on the tips of my toes. I presume it would not be healthy for me to wait and grow it out (and it would take an age!) Any ways of taking it off at home?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 13-05-2020 2:10pm

Buff to remove shine
Take a cotton pad to make 2 circles then divide up into smaller pieces.
Soak in acetone.
Apply thin cotton to toenail.
Wrap in foil.
Wait approx 7 mins, use orange wood stick to scrap it off gently.
Buff at the end.
Apply nail hardener/cuticle oil

SozBbz · 13-05-2020 2:12pm

December2012 wrote: »

I still have a bit of shellac left on the tips of my toes. I presume it would not be healthy for me to wait and grow it out (and it would take an age!) Any ways of taking it off at home?

Same as salons really, you need acetone, cotton pads, foil and a file to scuff the surface.

You should be able to get what you need from a local pharmacy.

Lotus Flower · 13-05-2020 8:17pm

I removed my gel polish last night, filed off the top part of the colour to disturb the surface and then soaked cotton balls in acetone remover, wrapped tin foil around each toe, soaked for 30 minutes and then removed with an orange stick

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 13-05-2020 8:54pm

Lotus Flower wrote: »

I removed my gel polish last night, filed off the top part of the colour to disturb the surface and then soaked cotton balls in acetone remover, wrapped tin foil around each toe, soaked for 30 minutes and then removed with an orange stick

Absolutely no need to soak for 30 minutes with acetone

acequion · 13-05-2020 9:20pm

Where can you buy acetone? I remember looking for it before but couldn't get it.

monaghanmissus · 13-05-2020 9:30pm

SozBbz wrote: »

I'm thinking of maybe buying a bottle or two from CND Vinylux, they're sold on millies.ie amongst other places, and its what a lot of salons use. I havent tried it but I believe its supposed to last longer.

I do miss having my cuticle work done, i need to buy some proper tools and learn to do it myself.

Do you know if CND Vinylux is better than standard pharmacy brands? I'm in the same boat in that any home nail polish I use chips within a few hours. It could be my dodgy application of course! :rolleyes:

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 13-05-2020 9:34pm

monaghanmissus wrote: »

Do you know if CND Vinylux is better than standard pharmacy brands? I'm in the same boat in that any home nail polish I use chips within a few hours. It could be my dodgy application of course! :rolleyes:

Personally prefer Essie over vinylux but yes they’re definitely better quality than most pharmacy brands. The vinylux top coat is good as it hardens in natural UV.
You can buy acetone in chemist

neonsofa · 14-05-2020 8:40am

Jillian Obedient Mutt wrote: »

Personally prefer Essie over vinylux but yes they’re definitely better quality than most pharmacy brands. The vinylux top coat is good as it hardens in natural UV.
You can buy acetone in chemist

I love Essie colours, they have so many shades, but I find it chips so quick on me. No matter how thin or thick I apply coats, or how close to the edge or neat I get. I've tried one layer and multiple. With a base and without, with a top coat and without, I've tried everything to make them work, apart from quitting all housework :pac: do you find a particular application works?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 14-05-2020 10:28am

Really? I would have worked with Essie in the past and would prefer the results over any of the other brands, vinylux included (2nd fav). Prep is key.
So what I would do would be keep the nails shorter, lightly buff the nail I would use some swipe or some alcohol to dehydrate the nail, id apply a very thin layer of base coat and cap the free edge, 2 thin coats of colour, and usually top coat, constantly capping the free edge. Wait until completely dry.

Prep is key. You put any colour on an oily or greasy nail bed and it will lift off.

https://ibb.co/WP3cb56 This is a cheap catrice colour I have on with no top coat, I have about 4 layers of it haha, but except for my thumb it has not budged and it will be on 2 weeks on Saturday. So, that would be my advice for longevity. Make sure the base is debris free and oil free.

neonsofa · 14-05-2020 11:01am

The only step I would miss is using alcohol so maybe that will be key! Thanks a million for that!

Lotus Flower · 14-05-2020 12:25pm

Jillian Obedient Mutt wrote: »

Absolutely no need to soak for 30 minutes with acetone

Thanks but I have tried this in the past and 30 minutes is what works for me. Anything less is pointless. Maybe it's just the remover I have, it's not pure acetone

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 14-05-2020 1:44pm

Lotus Flower wrote: »

Thanks but I have tried this in the past and 30 minutes is what works for me. Anything less is pointless. Maybe it's just the remover I have, it's not pure acetone

Fair enough, if it’s not pure acetone but soaking nails in pure acetone would be extremely damaging to the natural nail (and ineffective since the acetone would be absorbed and dried after 30 mins) and not something to be recommended when using pure acetone. I must have skimmed the original post and missed the not pure acetone part.

Twee. · 14-05-2020 2:22pm

Teach30 wrote: »

Recieved the Nunale strengthening cream today, can’t say I like the smell it’s very strong but hopefully it will help. Nails are in bits with all the hand washing and I pick at them when stressed so cuticles are red raw and ripped to pieces.

I find it hard to grow out my nails I always think I’ve funny shaped wide nails and they look terrible when they grow out a bit. I’ve never had them grow past the white part really.

Has anyone advice to make them look nice? Is filing or cutting them across better? I’m clueless!

Kinda of sounds like my nails, they have a wide look when they grow out so I tend to keep mine fairly short and neat. I started trimming with a nail clippers instead of scissors and find it much better. I find it easier to square them off.

Lotus Flower · 14-05-2020 3:08pm

Jillian Obedient Mutt wrote: »

Fair enough, if it’s not pure acetone but soaking nails in pure acetone would be extremely damaging to the natural nail (and ineffective since the acetone would be absorbed and dried after 30 mins) and not something to be recommended when using pure acetone. I must have skimmed the original post and missed the not pure acetone part.

Yeah I know, wouldn't do that if it was pure acetone.

twirlagig · 14-05-2020 7:23pm

SusieBlue wrote: »

I found it on Look Fantastic at a much cheaper price than amazon. Also waiting for a few more trustable reviews before I buy it but it looks amazing!
It’s been in my basket for weeks, I’m so tempted to bite the bullet

Well... I bought it today! Can’t wait to try it

SusieBlue · 14-05-2020 7:28pm

twirlagig wrote: »

Well... I bought it today! Can’t wait to try it

Will you report back and let us know what you think? I’m still on the fence, would love to hear more reviews from impartial regular consumers! Thanks a mill

retro:electro · 14-05-2020 7:33pm

I have the dream coat and I don’t like it tbh. I’m thinking of giving it to my sister who has thicker hair than me. Did you ever straighten your hair after being freshly washed and it still feels greasy and like there’s a layer of something there? That’s how it made my hair feel. It’s meant to be unreal for people who have naturally curly hair and I’m half bichon frise so I thought it would be class but I didn’t like it. Am holding onto it for when I take the notion to use it again but it’s shoved in a drawer since and I don’t even look at it. The Dream Filter though I love.

twirlagig · 14-05-2020 7:49pm

SusieBlue wrote: »

Will you report back and let us know what you think? I’m still on the fence, would love to hear more reviews from impartial regular consumers! Thanks a mill

I absolutely will! Had planned to use this evening but I’m just wrecked!

Will be trying it tomorrow evening or Saturday

Can’t wait to see if it lives up to the hype.

Caranica · 14-05-2020 9:37pm

I'm hearing great things about the Moroccan oil colour depositing mask. Has anyone here used it?

neonsofa · 14-05-2020 9:56pm

retro:electro wrote: »

The Dream Filter though I love.

Sis, I had high hopes for this and it let me down, no difference whatsoever.

retro:electro · 14-05-2020 9:59pm

neonsofa wrote: »

Sis, I had high hopes for this and it let me down, no difference whatsoever.

Oh no! Maybe you’re already dream filtered enough sis so it had nothing to work with :pac:
I remember not liking it the first time I used it but I loved my hair the wash after. And ever since I’ll use it every second wash with a purple shampoo and I find it works for me that way!

Sunny Dayz · 15-05-2020 9:29am

Caranica wrote: »

I'm hearing great things about the Moroccan oil colour depositing mask. Has anyone here used it?

I'll be interested to hear this also. I've recently used an alfaparf pigment and been underwhelmed by it.

SozBbz · 15-05-2020 9:57am

Sinead from TheBeautTruth is a big fan of the Moroccan Oil Colour masks - but thats all I know! I don't colour my hair so I might look into the non colour ones.

I bought an overnight mask from Bumble and Bumble: https://www.lookfantastic.com/bumble-and-bumble-while-you-sleep-overnight-hair-mask-190ml/11726892.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=EUR&shippingcountry=IE&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000049794463&adtype=pla&product_id=11726892&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTFu3xouhoBVE_B6QTSmEfFaJBDv94El9ChM24tdSukaw7HkyNAmfn8aAhsyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Not wild about it to be honest.

I was influenced by Karla K, she said she loved it and it made her hair feel expensive, but I don't notice any major difference when I use it. I'll use it up obviously, but wouldnt buy again as its so expensive and I think I can get better outcomes from other things.

Caranica · 17-05-2020 11:52am

Independent reporting today that there are calls from ministers for hairdressers and beauty salons to open next month.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/hairdressers-beauticians-and-barbers-could-open-as-early-as-next-month-amid-push-from-ministers-39211133.html

twirlagig · 18-05-2020 9:59pm

SusieBlue wrote: »

Will you report back and let us know what you think? I’m still on the fence, would love to hear more reviews from impartial regular consumers! Thanks a mill

Update on the Dream Coat....
Well, I used it yesterday and have to say I’m totally impressed! Took me a long time to section my hair and blow dry it all properly but definitely worth it. I then used my straightener on it and it really does deliver on the ‘shine factor’!

Had a shower this morning but gathered up my hair with a simple clip and wore a shower cap. Normally even a hint of steam deems a shower cap useless to me, but it was perfect when I took it off and brushed it.
I got caught in a small drizzly shower on lunch break today and I DID have the tiniest few frizzy hairs on my parting pop up after it but nothing like the 7 million I’d normally get!
I don’t know would it last 3 days though... my fringe is kinda greasy looking this evening. I don’t know if I used to much product on the fringe or if it’s due to my forehead skin being a little bit oily.
All in all, I’d recommend it

neonsofa · 20-05-2020 10:00am

Jillian Obedient Mutt wrote: »

Prep is key. You put any colour on an oily or greasy nail bed and it will lift off.

https://ibb.co/WP3cb56 This is a cheap catrice colour I have on with no top coat, I have about 4 layers of it haha, but except for my thumb it has not budged and it will be on 2 weeks on Saturday. So, that would be my advice for longevity. Make sure the base is debris free and oil free.

So, I dehydrated the nail with alcohol like you advised, and my nails are still beautiful, no chips!! Cant believe something so simple made such a difference!

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 20-05-2020 10:21am

I’m delighted neon. A little hack for you now.

neonsofa · 20-05-2020 10:52am

Jillian Obedient Mutt wrote: »

I’m delighted neon. A little hack for you now.

I was too busy marvelling to actually say thank you which was the point of that post! Lol
Thank you

20-05-2020 2:11pm

neonsofa wrote: »

So, I dehydrated the nail with alcohol like you advised, and my nails are still beautiful, no chips!! Cant believe something so simple made such a difference!

Same!!! Amazing, after all these years of wasted time and nail polish... It's mad the things that make me happy

Thanks for the masterclass Shoes.

SozBbz · 20-05-2020 2:22pm

Cali_girl wrote: »

Same!!! Amazing, after all these years of wasted time and nail polish... It's mad the things that make me happy

Thanks for the masterclass Shoes.

Silly question but is it easy to get rubbing alcohol for this purpose?

Would it be in any pharmacy?

neonsofa · 20-05-2020 2:40pm

Cali_girl wrote: »

Same!!! Amazing, after all these years of wasted time and nail polish... It's mad the things that make me happy

Thanks for the masterclass Shoes.

Everybody else will emerge from quarantine with new baking skills or new languages, we will have beautiful long lasting manicures! :pac:

plasticheart · 20-05-2020 3:11pm

SozBbz wrote: »

Silly question but is it easy to get rubbing alcohol for this purpose?

Would it be in any pharmacy?

You should be able to get it in any chemist. I've gotten it at the pharmacy counter in Boots.

otnomart · 20-05-2020 6:54pm

Since the lockdown started, my routine and also usage of the products changed !
Stopped using lipstick altogether when going out, as I am always wearing the surgical mask when going out for food.
Only wear lipstick when I have a video call, now.
Main attention for me now is on the brows, I always wear a tinted brow gel.
My skin has been behaving well, mostly, could be due to less pollution and also the home cooked food, have been eating (even) more fruit and veg.
Practically zero breakouts, and also no flaking.
No complaints, really !

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 20-05-2020 6:57pm

neonsofa wrote: »

Everybody else will emerge from quarantine with new baking skills or new languages, we will have beautiful long lasting manicures! :pac:

The only skill you need really

22-05-2020 9:58am

On the wow dream colour filter....I’ve been using it religiously....went from balyage to full blown bloody platinum right before the pandemic

Could I have picked a worst time for this change??! Anywho, I’ve been seeing it on Instagram that the wow filter strips you’re hair and leads to breakages and that you need to use an intensive hair treatment after you use it

I hadn’t been doing this of course!

acequion · 22-05-2020 7:00pm

Hi guys, I would hugely appreciate some help please. My hairdresser tells me that I'm a 5 in a semi permanent hair colour. That's a dark brown. It's always perfect when done at the salon but I've never done it myself.

Now like everyone I'll do what I have to and I'm sure there are good youtube tutorials to help and it's only the roots that need doing. The problem is though that I don't know what product to buy or where. In Dunnes, all the colours seem permanent and all have different numbers, not a simple no 5.

Please help and thank so much in advance. I live near a Boots if there would be something there and I don't mind paying a bit more for the right product.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 22-05-2020 7:54pm

I’m not a hairdresser but as far as I know the 5 will apply to the colour you have to mix so you’d be buying it as professional product in a salon services shop.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 22-05-2020 7:56pm

For example
https://www.salon-services.com/hair/hair-colour-and-bleach/permanent-hair-colour/LOREALINOAODS2.html?dwvar_LOREALINOAODS2_color=5%20Light%20Brown&cgid=hair-hair-colour-bleach-permanent-hair-colour#start=1

NicsM · 23-05-2020 11:25pm

acequion wrote: »

Hi guys, I would hugely appreciate some help please. My hairdresser tells me that I'm a 5 in a semi permanent hair colour. That's a dark brown. It's always perfect when done at the salon but I've never done it myself.

Now like everyone I'll do what I have to and I'm sure there are good youtube tutorials to help and it's only the roots that need doing. The problem is though that I don't know what product to buy or where. In Dunnes, all the colours seem permanent and all have different numbers, not a simple no 5.

Please help and thank so much in advance. I live near a Boots if there would be something there and I don't mind paying a bit more for the right product.

If you’re looking to do your roots only then you could go for the clairol root touch up which Boots stock online: https://www.boots.ie/boots-nice-n-easy-root-touch-up-hair-dye-5-medium-brown-30ml-10241717

If you want to bring the colour through your ends to refresh and it’s your first time then I would advise using a semi permanent dye instead, they’re much more forgiving than permanent.

I use the Nice n Easy no ammonia, the colours aren’t listed like other box dyes (5 being medium brown, 4 dark brown etc) so you’d need to check the Clairol site to match the colour.

Hope that helps, best of luck!

acequion · 24-05-2020 9:44pm

Thanks so much Shoesdayschild and NicsM for your help and replies.

It is the first time I've ever had to colour my own hair. I've always had it done in the same salon and they've always used the same colour. It's semi permanent as I have very little grey.

I really do hate having to do it myself. I can actually manage to cut it no problem, but it's the colour that's the tricky one for me. I really would love if hairdressers were successful in their campaign to open sooner. I'd nearly wait.

But I'll have a look at Clairol Nice n Easy. That sounds promising.

Thanks again.

All that fandango · 24-05-2020 10:04pm

Caved in bought a box of loreal casting creme in shade medium brown. Applied it this evening and so disappointed its made barely any difference to my hair. I just wanted something that would banish the orangey brassy tones to my dark brown hair. Now Im left with a forehead covered in dye and hair colour still looking as dull as dish water, grrrr.

acequion · 24-05-2020 11:09pm

All that fandango wrote: »

Caved in bought a box of loreal casting creme in shade medium brown. Applied it this evening and so disappointed its made barely any difference to my hair. I just wanted something that would banish the orangey brassy tones to my dark brown hair. Now Im left with a forehead covered in dye and hair colour still looking as dull as dish water, grrrr.

That's exactly the kind of thing I'm afraid of.

I know there's a virus and we have to be careful. But literally every other service I can live without. But not my hairdresser.:(

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 25-05-2020 12:24am

If it’s just to freshen up a brown and not actually go near the roots then I’d be looking at a revlon nutricolour

neonsofa · 25-05-2020 11:11am

All that fandango wrote: »

Caved in bought a box of loreal casting creme in shade medium brown. Applied it this evening and so disappointed its made barely any difference to my hair. I just wanted something that would banish the orangey brassy tones to my dark brown hair. Now Im left with a forehead covered in dye and hair colour still looking as dull as dish water, grrrr.

If you're just looking to banish brassy tones, I'd look at colour shampoos/ conditioners. Like shoesdayschild recommends, the revlon nutri colour, or a blue toned shampoo/conditioner specifically for brown hair. There are also some temporary colour depositing masks like the Moroccan oil ones. Blue shampoo will be very drying so prob better going with a conditioner or mask product. I used to mix blue or purple shampoo in with my conditioner when I was desperate! I always found the purple conditioners too light in pigment, but the shampoos too drying, but I wouldnt be advising that if your hair is in need of care....or at all really.... but it did the job :pac:

Aisling(",) · 27-05-2020 5:06pm

I'm a dyed red head, I'm convincingly ginger being pale,blue eyed and full of freckles but I have mousy brown hair naturally.
I've not had my roots coloured since February and by now it's gone so bad I'm just leaning into it.
I've been getting my niece to do two french plaits since my hair is now down to my hips and it doesn't look too bad.My roots are totally brown and the plaits are totally red.

Not ideal but I'm just going to roll with it till I can get it done and then I'll be back to feeling like myself.

r93kaey5p2izun · 27-05-2020 5:26pm

Aisling(",) wrote: »

I'm a dyed red head, I'm convincingly ginger being pale,blue eyed and full of freckles but I have mousy brown hair naturally.
I've not had my roots coloured since February and by now it's gone so bad I'm just leaning into it.
I've been getting my niece to do two french plaits since my hair is now down to my hips and it doesn't look too bad.My roots are totally brown and the plaits are totally red.

Not ideal but I'm just going to roll with it till I can get it done and then I'll be back to feeling like myself.

I'm similar. My hair is dyed copper but I have medium brown hair. Most people did not know I was not a natural redhead. It hasn't been done since mid December :eek: so everyone knows now! Unfortunately there's a fair few silver strands there too.

I bought Casting Creme Gloss to do it but had a reaction to the patch test. Devastated! I'm worried I won't be able to continue colouring it at all now.

Posy · 28-05-2020 12:14am

As restrictions continue, I'm thinking of treating myself to a few nice polishes, but obviously, I can't go into Boots etc and work away sampling their wares, seeing how long they last etc!

I'm looking for a polish that I'd get about a week out of, ideally.

I was looking at Essie, but all the different bottles are confusing me. I don't understand which are which, and how they differ- I think they changed bottle/brush a while ago, and don't want to spend my hard earned cash on something that is being discontinued!
Plus, the different shape and size bottles upset the OCD part of my brain. :pac:

Maybe Opi or Vinylux? Any of the nail experts here suggest anything, brand wise?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-05-2020 12:41am

Personally I’d choose Essie then vinylux then opi then Jessica

Posy · 28-05-2020 7:41pm

Thanks, Shoes!

Also loving the tip about nails and alcohol. I only ever bother prepping nails properly if I'm using gel. What a revelation!

Are these the new Essie bottles? I think the ones with the white writing on them are the old ones with the old brushes, and the horrific weird shaped bottles are the Gel Couture, which seems to be discontinued. What can I say? I crave structure and conformity. :pac:

Beauty Issues during Covid 19 - Megathread - Hair, nails, brows etc

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