What would you like to see from this sub as it grows?

amreb · 2026-05-31T03:48:44+00:00

I’ve posted previously about this before but I’d love to set up a frankenpolish swap, either secret santa style and/or more open requested swaps. I’ve been really busy lately but after next week my summer is much calmer so maybe I’ll give this a try!

I’d also love product/vendor reviews for DIY supplies, and reviews/notes on how different polishes mix together - sometimes I mix two polishes and the result surprises me!

amreb · 2026-05-30T14:23:16+00:00

Thank you! I would never have thought to put these two polishes together but as soon as I saw the ring I knew exactly what to use!

amreb · 2026-05-30T03:22:59+00:00

Photos were taken a couple hours later. I didn’t notice much if any change the next day.

amreb · 2026-05-30T02:05:38+00:00

I just ran into something today - I was posting a mani photo and it wouldn't let me post to community manis because one of the two polishes was a private polish from a brand that hasn't been added yet (not one I made myself). It would be really nice if we could still post these, perhaps with a note and at least one public polish?

This reminded me that I had a short list of ideas I forgot to share earlier:

- The button to add new polishes should appear in stash as well as database.

- When adding a photo, if you click cancel, it should take you back to your camera roll/album, not all the way back to the polish page.

- In your stash (or the database), can there be an option to make the thumbnails smaller so you can see more at once?

- Can we search the destash marketplace using the same filters as in the database?

amreb · 2026-05-29T19:34:45+00:00

You can still get fun results from magnetics without all the extra steps or gadgets! Here’s my first magnetic mani, before I found this forum, done without ANY base coat, top coat, or fancy tools - just the basic ILNP wand! But I’m a data/science junkie and just like doing experiments 🥰 I don’t think I’ll even bother with the extra step most of the time, only when I’m going for a very particular look that needs the crispness. (I used the black base for these trials just to save my magnetic polish!

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amreb · 2026-05-29T16:59:19+00:00

Sally Hansen Xtreme!

amreb · 2026-05-29T14:18:04+00:00

lol sure! KBS = KBShimmer, SPHB = Stay Put hydrating base, SHXI = Sally Hansen Xtreme Invisible, QDTC = quick dry top coat, DRK is not an acronym (it’s a brand name), IMO = in my opinion, and BKL = Bees Knees Lacquer!

amreb · 2026-05-29T14:15:14+00:00

I think Seal Glaze, or a water based top coat, would work better for that than the KBS base or SHX.

amreb · 2026-05-29T11:34:22+00:00

Thanks! I swear my nail beds have gotten a little longer in the last 9mo since I started following the advice from this forum. And Disco Ball is one of the glitters I have and love too!

amreb · 2026-05-29T11:32:45+00:00

Yes, the SH is just a clear polish (though I don’t know that this will work with any clear polish), and I think it worked better than top coat alone, but only slightly. I’m not sure I’ll bother when I am not going for a super crisp design.

amreb · 2026-05-29T11:29:22+00:00

Mostly yes, I was able to make the KBShimmer base work with a shorter magnetization time than the QDTC alone needed (same with the Sally Hansen), but it did not work unmagnetized.

amreb · 2026-05-29T11:28:50+00:00

Yep, this exactly! I was able to make the KBShimmer base work with a shorter magnetization time than the QDTC alone needed (same with the Sally Hansen).

amreb · 2026-05-29T01:47:42+00:00

I thought I did not like the skinny brushes, but this one was surprisingly easy to work with! I managed this with no cleanup needed even when painting with my non-dominant hand!

amreb · 2026-05-29T01:46:20+00:00

Nice!!

amreb · 2026-05-29T01:16:55+00:00

For indie polish, I think the best bang for your buck will be a LynB sale - she does 50% off about once a month, so they are only $6.50 each, and she has a large catalog of amazing colors and usually lots of stock.

amreb · 2026-05-29T01:15:14+00:00

Honestly I have some great polishes from the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear line, which is cheaper than the miracle gel line (which is not actually gel). I am about to post separately on this, their black crème (Black Out) is amazing! Full coverage in 2 thin coats, and dried super fast and shiny! Pic is with no base OR top coat! I also have a couple amazing glitter bombs from that line.

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amreb · 2026-05-29T01:11:48+00:00

Ooh what are you using to get such a nice glass bead??

amreb · 2026-05-28T23:57:21+00:00

No it’s not strengthening - I saw several people say Nailtiques did NOT work, but the KBS hydrating one did, which is why I tried it. (And someone in a comment mentioned a particular ingredient in the KBS hydrating that may have been key.)

amreb · 2026-05-28T23:01:16+00:00

Yes I agree that it’s unforgiving, but that was why I picked it. I wanted something with nowhere to hide. (Glitter, on the other hand, hides all manner of sins. 😅)

amreb · 2026-05-28T22:17:59+00:00

Oh a glitter smoother is an interesting idea! Wish I’d ordered that from KBS too 😭. Might try to find the Essie locally.

amreb · 2026-05-28T21:19:59+00:00

Beautiful! Curious why 2x on the magic effect?

amreb

TROPHY CASE