Nail of the Week: Nails Inc. Magnetic Nail Polish

I've been waiting for ages to try magnetic nail polish. When I saw the Nails Inc. version at Sephora last week, I snapped it up. The price is a little steep ($16), but I've been waiting so long I would have bought it even if I didn't get to use my 20% VIB discount.

I bought the shade House of Parliament which looks bright purple on the Sephora website but in reality is a brownish plum. Still pretty, as the magnetic stripes give it an animal print effect, but I kind of wish I'd gotten the teal shade. There was also a silver.

Application was easy and the instructions were simple to follow (I didn't bother to buy the “base coat”.) The magnet is on the cap which is detachable from the applicator. Apply a thick coat and immediately hold the magnet over the nail. Within 15 seconds, a striped pattern appears as the magnet causes metallic particles in the polish to separate.

I had a few do-overs from getting the magnet too close, causing a nick in the coat, but all in all this was a fun, unique manicure experience. These would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to trick out their nails.

I'm hoping these will trickle down into lower-priced drugstore brands (like OPI's shatter did) so I can experiment with different shades and patterns. Meanwhile I recommend buying this in Sephora stores rather than online if you want to see an exact representation of the shades—the swatches on the Sephora site are a little off. Also make sure to use a top coat as this polish has a tendency to chip very quickly.

Hard-to-Find: Gel Blushes

Just a few years ago there was a wide variety of brands and shades of gel blushes to choose from. For some reason they've disappeared from shelves en masse. Brands that have discontinued them include:

• Clinique
• L'Oreal
• Philosophy
• Stila
• MAC

I favor gel blushes, particularly the shimmer-free type in squeeze-tube containers, because I think the texture provides a more natural look than other forms such as powders and creams. Also they're not sticky like some cheek stains (Stila, Tarte).

If you're a gel blush fan like me there are still a few options. Origins offers three shades; Bonne Bell offers eight shades (some with shimmer) on their web site but not in US stores. 

Hard-to-Find: Magnetic Nail Polishes

Okay, the novelty of shatter & crackle nail polishes has worn off, bring on the magnetic nail polishes already. L'Oreal's Star Polishes were gorgeous, but the line was never sold in the US. Their sister company Lancome also made some, but only one measly shade was sold in the US, limited edition to boot. Now some Ulta stores are carrying an Essence collection but they (as well as the sold-separately magnet) are selling out quickly. Comments welcome—please let me know when and where you've spotted these—any brand—in US stores. 

Hard-to-Find: Tokidoki Gelato Lip Balm Stain in Donutella

Donutella swatch

This sheer melon shade has been sold out for months at my local Sephora stores as well as their web site. And Sephora is the only US store that carries this brand. Toki did an hour segment on QVC recently but the Gelatos didn't make an appearance. Here's hoping I can score this sweet shade before the summer is over....