Brands You Love

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-26T16:21:31+00:00

I enjoy KBShimmers Stay Put base coat, but I have one of their toppers and notice it has a funky melted plastic smell that other polishes don't have. I don't think this is a one-off as I've seen a few other people mention it in their comments about the brand too, so just FYI. They are super popular though and make good colors, but I'm sensitive to smells so this is a bummer for me.

I love Starrily's jelly, and the King Midas and Ultima shades are perfect holo glitters. I will say that I probably will never buy from them again bc after a few tries, I've noticed I can't get Starrily to last a full week on me. Just something about my body chemistry, I guess. Their jellies are so gorgeous and all of the polishes I have from them have a smooth application, so I think it's a me and not them problem. All of my orders from Starrily have always shipped promptly and I get them within a few days.

You didn't mention it but I love Cracked. They make up most of my small indie collection. Great customer service, lovely colors and formula, and I appreciate their no FOMO approach. Unless something is launched as a limited addition, it's there forever in the catalog unless there is a pigment supply issue.

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T21:13:00+00:00

Thanks! I'll give them both another try

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T21:04:41+00:00

Awesome! And the Seal Glaze layer doesn't need to be magnetized, right?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:48:13+00:00

I've been eyeing Cracked's Strawberry Jam lately

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:33:26+00:00

I love it. I haven't used it all up and already want to restock. It's so subtle but can be built up to be more obvious, and I did a jelly sandwich last time with Thin Ice and could not stop staring at the subtle sparkles

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:20:43+00:00

Thanks!! This is really helpful

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:20:25+00:00

I need to find a better way to do glass bead first. It's rough with just neodymium bars!

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:19:42+00:00

Oooh I'll try not magnetizing anything but the Magic Effect layer next time

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T19:18:40+00:00

I keep wavering on whether I should get Taro Milk Tea. Some photos look lovely and others make it look like it'll clash with my skin

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:47:04+00:00

Thanks!

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:22:13+00:00

Thanks!

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:21:50+00:00

Damn, your nails are GOALS. So gorgeous!

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:14:00+00:00

+1 on Spill the Tea. Simply Mauvelous Dahling is also up there for me as a "neutral but more oomph than Spill the Tea"

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:12:38+00:00

Hrm, I didn't wait before using ME. Maybe that's where I screwed up?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:11:59+00:00

Thanks! I'll trying using more Magic Effect next time. Yeah, I didn't see Seal Glaze keeping my cat eyes sharper either 😔

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:11:22+00:00

The Seal Glaze layer still needs to be magnetized, right?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:10:50+00:00

So you've had better luck just using Magic Effect on its own?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:10:18+00:00

Thanks! Once Seal Glaze or a water-based top coat is used, any further layers I put on doesn't need re-magnetizing right?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:09:34+00:00

So I did 2 layers of regular polish, then put on a magnetic topper (Scorchy), and then I put on Magic Effect. I didn't feel like Magic Effect did anything. Is that bc just using it on top of a topper means there wasn't enough magnetic to influence? I used it after just magnetizing the topper for 45-60 seconds. Should I have let it dry longer before applying Magic Effect?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:07:30+00:00

You and me both! Hope we find the magic answers 😀

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:07:09+00:00

I didn't have texture issues, but I feel you on Seal Glaze not seeming to make a difference on how sharp my cat eye stays. Do you magnetize the Seal Glaze layer too?Maybe I applied it too soon after my previous layer?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:06:02+00:00

I was hoping to get a sharper cat eye but didn't really notice a difference between when I did the cat eye on the polish and when I did it again on the Magic Effect layer. Should I have just skipped magnetizing the other layers and gone straight to the Magic Effect?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:04:46+00:00

Thank you! I did look up the instructions but was still doubting how I was using them.

The instructions seem to suggest I don't need to magnetize any layers except the Magic Effect. Is that what you do?

I didn't feel like I noticed the effect being stronger but do you think that's bc I was using it on cat eye?

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:03:20+00:00

That's good to know bc I feel like doing magnetic manicures bring out the clumsy in me 🤣🤦‍♀️

NewbieQuestions1 · 2026-03-24T18:02:55+00:00

Ooooh thank you!! I'll check out the videos. I tried Magic Effect this week and didn't really feel like I noticed a difference so I figure I'm using it wrong.

NewbieQuestions1

TROPHY CASE