Nailene – A Darker French Tip

Nailene French Tip PenEverytime I used a Nailene product, my nails have looked great and super well groomed for a long time.

I find that nail art polishes are sometimes hard to use when trying to achieve a french manicure. The brushes are super thin, and running them in a straight line multiple times so that you have the perfect tip is practically impossible. One extra swipe will make it crooked or globby (an appropriate non word, no?) and will make a hard worked mani end. It’s the worst when you work hard on both hands only to have the tenth finger sully up the plans. Then you may need to use remover (q-tips are best) and heaven forbid you use a cotton ball, because, well, then you can just say farewell to the whole mani idea. Using a q-tip foils these monstrous disasters, but still, isn’t a guarantee of success.

I had the pleasure of reviewing the Black French Tip Pen from Nailene. Using the pen makes it so much easier to apply polish, and quite honestly, whatever formula they have for the product makes it dry practically instantaneously.
Nailene French Tip Pen
Nailene French Tip Pen
The kit comes with a black french tip pen and a top coat. This top coat dries magically fast and has lots of shine to it. It’s a top coat for polish though, as through experience I’ve learned that on bare nails it doesn’t last as long. On bare nails, you will most definitely need more than a single coat for long lasting care.
Nailene French Tip Pen
When you get the pen, remove the cap and press it into a piece of paper or tissue. Don’t press it onto your hand or clothing, and please no furniture! You might need to press a couple of times until the whole pen is full of polish. As you see from the above image, these are the four stages. The one on the bottom left seems to be full of polish, but is still lacking a bit on the tip. Sadly, the last image is a bit unfocused where I’d want it to be, but is how the pen should look when it’s really ready for use.
Nailene French Tip Pen
The way I applied it wasn’t necessarily the neatest, but the blame goes to my shaky hand and not the product. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t need double coverage, although you may want to apply some to keep the tips of your nails from rubbing off when doing everyday activities with your hands.

These pens come in white, pearl white, and black. I will get back to you about that last part, because at the time of posting, I found difficulty getting an online store with this pen in stock. They are available at all major drugstores, though.

How do you do your french tips?

Disclaimer: This product was sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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Review: Nailene French Tip Pen Kit (long post)

Remember when I was hootin’ and hollerin’ over the NYC Bloggin’ Beauts? Well the goodie bags included many a product that warrant a review. One of them being the Nailene Fench Tip Pen Kit.

What it is:
Being true to it’s title. This nifty combo includes 2 polishes (Hard & Healthy French Manicure Base Color and Acrylic Topcoat) 1 White French Tip Pen, and 42 tip guides.

On the box:

In just two simple steps, achieve that perfect salon French Manicure with our easy-to-use pen. Also great for pedicures and perfect for retouching! Mistake proof, precision application with fabulous results.

Review (5 highest, 1 lowest):

Packaging: 4 out of 5

Price: 5 out of 5 ($8.99)

Quality: 5 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Instructions on the box:

Actively shake pen. Press tip onto a protected surface for 30 seconds until tip is saturated with polish. When the tip is completely covered with polish, you are ready to use the pen.

Optional: Apply tip guides across curve of nails to separate tip area.

Step 1: After prepping pen, apply two coats of Nailene’s French Tip White to nail tips. Let dry. If tip guides were used, peel off gently.

Step 2: Apply one or two coats of Nailene’s Hard & Healthy base color over entire nail.

A top coat may be applied for extra shine.

The product:

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I just had to put the products into a Y lol. Forgive me the corniness 🙂

The process:
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I cut off the ends on the strips and used them on smaller nails (be green w/your mani!)
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The result:

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Can you see the shimmer in the top coat?

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disregard the broken middle fingernail

My Verdict:
When Nailene agreed to participate in the Bloggin’ Beauts, I was overjoyed. When they sent everyone this kit – I couldn’t be more excited. I always think that every company puts their own spin on an item. Let’s be honest, there are only so many “original” products. A french mani is probably the most popular manicure style, but there is a whole universe of variations. Lucky for me – I didn’t try this one yet!

This is a great mani kit. I really like the fact that it came with strips for ease of use and the pen was actually very easy to use. I have used a lot of french manicure pens and a lot of them are unkind to your nails. They never get the line right, and frankly, you’re better off using a brush for painting walls. This french manicure pen was comfortable and got the job done quickly.

I was originally going to say that I wasn’t a fan of the one choice of color in this kit but then I realized – all of these products are sold separately as well. If you don’t agree with the color, the other Nailene products still fit the bill. Furthermore, my main concern was the amount of strips available. The strips – though easy to use, require an attempt or two to master. If you look closely at the pictures, you will notice that the pinky and ring finger aren’t too neatly done. That was because I didn’t press the strip down tight enough and polish leaked through. To remedy the situation doesn’t take much – pay closer attention the first two or three times you use them! After that you’ll be a pro!

After trying out this kit, I am impressed with the simplicity but efficiency of the product and would recommend that y’all try this out. It’s certainly budget friendly – so why not?


I’m also really excited about the black french manicure pen!
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Nailene is currently sold at:
Rite Aid || Kmart ||Wal-Mart || CVS ||Family Dollar || ULTA || Shoppers Drug Mart || Asda || Boots … and many other locations!


If you like the review – check out their sweepstakes:

Enter for a chance to win
NAILENE products!

Enter for your chance to win WIN NAILENE™ French Manicure kits and other fantastic NAILENE® products and a $50.00 Wal-Mart gift card – a prize package worth $250.00.

Sweepstakes begins August 1st
and ends October 31st, 2009 at 5:00pm PST.

Going to be in NY? Scurry your butt over to the NYC Bloggin’ Beauts Blog to catch details about events and companies!

Have you tried this out? What do you think?

Finally! Bloggin’ Beauts

So how long has everyone waited for me to say something about the Bloggin’ Beauts event? To be the cohost and planner, you’d think I’d be right on top of it right? …. crickets

With sensitivity to the fact that many of my readers are not NY based, I have started a new blog for the NYC Bloggin’ Beauts. I will probably mercilessly reference the upcoming events and such, but everything else will be on the blog. That kind of treaty work?

Now! Without further ado, I present to you the companies that worked with us. Want more details? Scurry your butt over to the NYC Bloggin’ Beauts Blog!

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lindasellsmark.com

My Pretty Pink Box

and check out the My Pretty Pink Box Blog for updates!

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and check out the Jennifer Paige Designs Blog for updates!

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check out the Purple Lab Blog here!

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check out my Arbonne page to learn more & shop!

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check out the Zoya blog here!

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check out the Stila blog here!

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check out the Thevi blog here!

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check out the Tarte blog here!

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check the Solerra blog here!

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check out the 3Custom Color blog!

Please note that most of these companies are up on the blog craze and are utilizing their blogs to reach out to their customers/fans as well as offer promotional codes and discounts!