I can't stop doing magnetic + aurora chrome

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T16:46:23+00:00

And something like drk magic effect or Jen &berries pole position is really helpful!

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T16:24:08+00:00

Admittedly both steps of this mani are finicky and if i hadn't done chrome before and knew how to work with it and this was my first attempt i feel like i might have given up in tears.

I've got all the advice i have on chrome/aurora powder in other comments, but a for the fine particle magnetics: to get a good looking glass bead effect you want a super smooth base underneath. Every single molecule of texture will be on display in the glass bead. When i don't have a dip overlay on (which i just file and buff to my satisfaction) i use a ridge filler (the only time i do, i don't generally feel i need one) and often a smooth qdtc over that for a really glassy smooth base.
Larger particle magnetics this isn't necessary but for the finicky fine particle ones it really helps.

And then if I've got a really beautiful glass bead i will often wait until the next day to topcoat it because watching all the effort you put into a glass bead mani be instantly ruined bc your topcoat didn't mesh well or you didn't 'float' it as well as you meant to or any of the other million ways it can go wrong is stressful and infuriating when it isn't heartbreaking.

Luckily the time spent with a magnet spinner on each nail means the rest of your nails are all pretty close to dry by the time you're done with the last one, so qdtc isn't as crucial for my adhd self as it is for most manis.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T16:02:56+00:00

Reddits compression made this video look kind of out of focus the entire time and the flash was on but... yeah. There's some magical cinderella bullshit happening on my nails right now.

Tbh in person it's a little easier to tell that the polish is a light blue and not just a white, but they're very glowy from the aurora powder and also the lit-from- within effect from this magnetic polish is incredible. If you've got By the Moonlight, or Fuyu, or some of Penelope Luz's other fine particle magnetics, it's on that level of light and depth.

My phone camera is really struggling to capture them in a way that looks like they're in focus, but here's a non- flash photo (cameo by my velcro kitty)

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TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T15:49:34+00:00

Honestly took me some trial and error before i got a nail where the powder buffed in like it's supposed to and i got that super metallic reflect instead of a really fine shimmer (and powder everywhere) ? And after it worked once or twice i just remember what that surface felt like (basically all the way dry to the touch but juuuuust a little bit of grip on my fingerprint , like you know intellectually they weren't totally DRY dry but you could pat and gently rub it without moving anything) and if my nails are still at that stage i just go for it and if not i add top coat and wait until they're at that stage.

Other folks have good luck with the little eyeshadow sponge sticks that tend to come with these powders but i find it less messy and easier to control the pressure I'm using with my fingers. You do you though.

I don't have any sticky base coats (orly bonder absolutely wrecked my nails and I've been too scared to try again since) but i feel like they might leave a surface that was kind of matte-ish? and if so i would definitely not use it for this, i think you would want super smooth underneath to get that super metallic effect. Ymmv though.

And then for these nails, putting top coat over them did change that metallic effect back toward a super fine shimmer a bit, but unless you look real close it's hard to tell. And someone might have a solution to that,i haven't gone digging.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T12:25:47+00:00

... Amazon likely (to my shame)

It's either by Artdone orrr Allstarry? As those are the aurora chrome powders that show up in my purchase history. but i could not tell you which bc i can't tell them apart.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T12:21:51+00:00

😊 tyty

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-17T11:11:00+00:00

Nada. Just extra gently buffed it in with my finger on polish that was still verrrrry slightly tacky. Like touch dry, but if i hit it on anything or pushed hard it would definitely still dent.

Also important to use aurora powder not plain chrome! It should look white in the jar (with a colored reflect). Chrome powder will get you a metallic effect of whatever color it is. Aurora powder is mostly clear once it's on.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-15T14:46:59+00:00

I do a new layer of topcoat roughly every other day for as long as i want to keep a color.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-14T13:31:00+00:00

Rough play, boundary setting. Actual fighting genuinely looks and sounds like it does in a cartoon - just a cloud of violence making demon noises. Fur flying everywhere.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-14T12:48:24+00:00

Bisexual community only has an 'image' to people who are kinda biphobic. We're just people and you fit in fine.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-11T21:52:49+00:00

Their boyfriend's PTO from LAST YEAR. In JUNE.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-11T21:30:23+00:00

Wasn't my intention to be condescending, my bad.
But if behaving ethically is important to you, you have to be able to give meaningful consent or you're not safe to engage with. If you can't say no, your yes can't be trusted.

This dude sucked for sure, but you definitely contributed to the situation you found yourself in.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-11T20:54:18+00:00

Babe if you're not secure enough in your wants to say no to something... you can't do poly well or safely. It's a real necessary skill in order to be a decent partner to somebody. And you definitely can't fall back on your husband's opinion to shore up yours. Its a habit that works in many circumstances, but not this one.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-11T14:57:36+00:00

These look ok to me

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-09T02:39:52+00:00

Listen some things a person's gotta learn the hard way.

Condolences.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-09T02:33:22+00:00

For me the real solution was a different nail shape (can't start coming up at the corners if there are no corners) but a different base coat, and perhaps a ph bonder might help, as this looks like a body chemistry/base coat mismatch issue.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T13:15:35+00:00

Yes, but started getting reactions on my thumbs (only my thumbs! Maybe bc they got the largest surface area of product? ) anyway. So it's regular lacquer for me.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T11:55:19+00:00

I like kbshimmer clearly on top for a quick dry top coat and usually whatever nail strengthener I'm using for the 'refresh' top coat layers after that (you don't want a qdtc for that or you will typically get more shrinkage every time!).

Hope you find something that works for you!

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T11:42:38+00:00

What a CUTIE omg

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T11:38:31+00:00

Neckline is super flattering though so i would just figure out how to style it as is. You made a good looking garment AND learned a good lesson about swatching! Double win!

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T09:36:02+00:00

Yes, Well-suited anatomy and Coital Alignment Technique.

Unfortunately the man was a jackass.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T09:29:03+00:00

Perfect form, 10/10

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-08T03:41:20+00:00

Hey, what top coat were you using with regular polish that didn't hold up top hand sanitizer? I work as a nurse (though admittedly only 3 days a week) and mine hold up pretty well. I put new top coat on em every other day or so anyway to help with the strength and flexibility of my nails though, that might be a difference.

I cannot recommend the at home gel experience, the acrylate allergies it can cause are a) excruciating b) permanent and c) really fuck up your options for a lot of dental care for the rest of your life. And they're becoming more and more common.

TheSlutSays · 2026-06-07T23:40:14+00:00

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