When I made an appointment with celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival this week, I warned her that several of my nails were so badly broken that they weren’t suitable canvases for one of her artistic gel manicures. I thought the stubby nails weren’t going to be worth much more than clear polish, but Tracylee cheered me up by bringing Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips. Sally Hansen calls this black-and-white pattern “Tri-Bal It On.” To add a little color to the look, I put on my 18K gold, diamond and chalcedony Primavera ring design. (The ring is on sale; click here to purchase.)
You can get the Sally Hansen strips at a drugstore and do this at home if you’re good at giving yourself manicures (I’m not!). The box includes a cute little nail file, plus a cuticle stick and buffer. The strips are made out of real nail polish with a sticky side so you can apply them to your nails. I always chip regular paint-on nail polish within 24 hours, and so far this product is holding up well. It can be taken off with regular nail-polish remover.
Tracylee was able to reshape my broken nails but she couldn’t do anything about the little scratch on the back of my hand.
That’s from my stepson’s cat, Portia. My stepson came home from college for spring break last week and brought the cat along. She didn’t scratch me on purpose. I was holding her in the hallway outside my apartment, waiting for a friend to come up in the elevator, and Portia got scared when the elevator door opened. While she was writhing around, trying to run away, a claw got me. Other than that, Portia kept her claws retracted all the time, even when I tickled her little paws. The only major damage I suffered was getting a Ted Nugent song stuck in my head. It is a good song, though.
Gigi the dog had a great time playing with the cat. I always thought Gigi was a cat person. She’s never liked any dogs other than Henry.
Henry was only interested in Portia for about ten minutes. He didn’t acknowledge her again after that, even when she pounced on him. He was rolling around on my lap while I was taking pictures of Gigi and Portia. I tried to take a close-up photo of Henry too, and it came out crazy.
On a totally different topic … if you haven’t read my Huffington Post story about a dress designed especially for the Nobel Prize ceremony, check it out now. Then read about how I came to write the story here.
Cara says
I was just about to pick up those exact strips today when I was out today! Keep me up to date on the chipping/peeling – I’m rough on my nails and have a “formal” dinner to go to on Saturday. (And yes, “formal”. I asked my mother-in-law if it was “black tie” and she said: “Well, your father-in-law is wearing a grey tie.”)
Consider Me Lovely says
Your nails and ring are too cute!
sulky kitten says
You get the best manicures! Maybe young cutie Portia should change her name to Shylock after trying to maul a pound of flesh from you. I love your little dogs – maybe Gigi just likes Girls?
WendyB says
Gigi is strictly for the boys — she hates girl dogs more than boy dogs!
Megan Mae says
Your nails always look great imo. The ring looks fabulous.
Also awwing to death over little Portia. Sorry she scratched you. My hands always look like yours only ten times worse after leaving my mom’s.
Tina says
I love that product! I can usually keep my SH manicure fabulous for at least a week!
Make Do Style says
Well I would buy your amazing ring if I had the funds. Fantastic value I’m going to tweet it. Yours nails look great and I kind of like the Portia scratch effect!!
Kari. says
Oh my … I am going to have to try those Sally Hansen strips. Your nails look great! I thought that there was nothing that could make my nails look good (I think my nails might be shorter than your’s … I have gnawed them down on account of all the job stress lately). I love that ring … just beautiful. LOL about the cat and dog picture.
Lynne DeVenny (@ExpertParalegal) says
I love the four-legged pics. What breed is Henry?
I’ve wondered about the Sally Hansen strips, but I’m a rotten manicurist. I also have stubby li’l nails most of the time, although Vitamin D is helping them look a little less stubby 😛
Mary Panjari says
OMG I discovered those Sally Hansen strips last year and became addicted. I rocked leopard, zebra and my favorite the black and white hounds tooth. Everyone thought that I had taken leave of my senses because I couldn’t stop talking about how awesome the strips were. Seriously the person who invented those should get the Nobel Prize for science!
Tanya says
Hey, I had the cat scratch fever (for real) two years ago. Took me out of circulation for about 3 months.
Gigi looks so dignified. Henry on the other hand…
Marti says
Can’t wait to try these Sally Hansen strips I can never keep nail polish on for more than a couple of days. Love the pics I can’t believe that Portia didn’t have a problem with Gigi or Henry and she pounced on Henry whaow. Did you know that cat scratch fever is real? I didn’t until a friend came down with it.
Marti
qin says
LOVE your nails
Andrea says
i totally love your nails! and the dogs are so cute!
nikkistyle says
I looooove Sally Hansen =)
The Style Crone says
The nails are amazing with your gorgeous ring!
ThirdWorldFabi says
“I always thought Gigi was a cat person”
Hahaha! That is too cute!
I’ve never had much faith in those sticker nail polish thingies but they look so good on you! Might give them a try (if I can ever find them).
stacy says
Those were GREAT nails. And thanks, now I’m going to have Ted Nugent in my head all day. Yikes.
Best pic. of Henry! Cutie booty. I hope he starts feeling better soon and weeing like a normal pooch.
Eli says
hooked on Sally hansen strips! I like this pattern!
Our cat freaks out probably more than this cat, she hates loud noises and runs away all the time. This little white cat sure got huge since its last appearance!
WendyB says
Twice the size!
savvy gal says
I was not a cat person until a family member adopted one a few months ago. He is rather endearing to me now. But, I am still a dog person no matter what.