Hello ladies,
I want to introduce you to my favorite quick dry topcoat: Creative Nail Design Air Dry. It dries, seals and adds shine to polish on claw and occasionally on hoof.
My topcoat holder is the bronze sculpture of the Ram in Fitler Square Park.
CND Air Dry has been my topcoat for the majority of my manicures this year. It was given to me as a holiday gift by my boss, who is a former nail tech and currently does hair and make up design for drag shows. I have been using CND treatment products for about three years. Air Dry was added to my treatment apothecary in December 2008. Stickey base coat and Super Shiney top coat began my devotion to Creative Nail Design. They were first recommended to me by a friend who owned her own nail salon and did nail design for fashion week. She used CND treatments on her clients' nails.
I have maintained different nail lengths at various points in my life. I can say that since using CND products my nails are the longest they have ever been. Air Dry hardens polish to a glassy finish with speed. I paint on Air Dry when my polish is still wet. I use a paintbrush dipped in acetone to remove any excess polish around my cuticles. My nails are ready for Konad stamping by the time I have finished clean up on all ten fingers. I am very efficient doing clean up as it's an almost daily practice.
Air Dry is self-leveling. This means that the topcoat will create a uniform seal over the nail without any visible brushstrokes. Another benefit is I have never experienced tip pull with Air Dry. I have no issues even if I forget to cap the free edge of the nail with a thin layer of color before adding topcoat. There is no shrinkage of polish after showering. The color stays as I paint it and the only tip wear I experience will come from actually using my hands. Shrinkage exposes the free edge of the nail. It can leave the nail vulnerable to damage that can cause peeling or flaking at the tips. It also makes polish more prone to chipping.
I love using Air Dry over glitter polishes. The consistency is thick enough to smooth over the glitter for maximum shine in one coat.
CND has recently done product revamping, making their treatment line big three free. My current bottles of Stickey and Super Shiney contain toluene and formaldehyde resin. If this is a concern for you, please check the labels to be certain which formula you are purchasing. I have had great success with the older formula. I am hopeful the newer formula can summon the same magic through my fingertips.
I have the 2.3 fl oz. size of Air Dry. The ball size product has a far superior brush to the 0.5 ounce bottle. I was using the smaller size for the past six weeks and couldn't wait to return to the larger bottle! I do not recommend purchasing anything but the 2.3 ounce size. It currently retails for 9.95 at Victoria Nail Supply.
I have a cute manicure to show tomorrow and news of a fun outing. There will actually be sun available for photography. I'm so excited after five days of cloud cover!
Happy painting ladies!