Jamberry Crash Art

So I am new to Jamberry nail stuff in general. I didn't know they existed until one of my very good friends who I've known since 3rd grade, started selling them. I'm not really into nail wrap sort of things but since it did benefit my friend in a way I figured I might as well try. I had a bad feeling about them because another very good friend got me some of those nail polish strips a few years back and I had trouble with them. BUT these did do better than I expected. I think part of it is learning how to actually apply them and taking your time.

I bought this particular pattern called Crash Art because I thought it was fun, and it was sparkly. I can't stand non sparkly things so if these things were going to last the full two weeks that they stated, I wanted something I wouldn't hate immediately.  (Not to mention they are 15 bucks each, so not cheap my any means)

The "full" pattern for reference

  Before I get on to the photos and the video,  I want to talk about the process of applying these things. 1. I perhaps choose a bad time to actually apply these, I was having a particularly bad evening and I felt like I was dying of rebound heartburn (a little unasked for pharmacist advice, don't take PPIs like Prilosec, Nexium Prevacid, Dexilant ect. unless you actually have a serious stomach condition, the rebound heartburn you get after stopping is worse than what you've ever experienced before (unless you've had an ulcer or something) and even H2 blockers like Pepcid and Zantac won't always help). So here I was in pain feeling like my stomach was going to fall out, I took more Pepcid than I should have, and the Tums didn't do anything so I took two Gaviscon and I was still quite uncomfortable. That was mistake number one, I couldn't actually focus on it. I thought doing something "crafty" would keep me distracted from the pain... I"m not sure that actually worked.

2. I used the "cold"/baggie method, with my rice heating pad. Which I think was better for me as you get to place the wrap before it is warm and melty. I think I didn't fully grasp how warm the rice "bag" was supposed to be before using it on the nail. I definitely got a better hang of it at the end.

3. Make sure you have a coarse nail file, the only one I own is a super fine grit glass/crystal file since I have peely nails and I actually don't like the sound/feeling of lower grit boards. I also had nail scissors and nail clippers handy and that helped a lot. I think you just need to get used to them and figure out what you need.

Sorry took these at work again, the lighting was better

4. I didn't do the proper nail prep. If you haven't already noticed from my blog photos, I don't push back my cuticles. I don't think this is a good idea and I like to leave them alone. I also used my normal Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat which is very smooth and perhaps not the best base for these sorts of nail wraps. They say to wipe your nail with acetone or alcohol but I already have dry nails so I just made sure I applied my base coat and then washed my hands when they were dry.

5. These will take a long time and I definitely suggest fixing any bubbles or peeling the first time because if you go back the next day and stuff has gotten under there it will keep the bubbles from re sealing back down. What ever adhesive they have needs quite a bit of heat and a lot of pressure/rubbing.


Anyway these were fun to wear but definitely not something I"d do frequently. I'm at the end of day two on these and there are bits I didn't trim well enough that are snagging on things and my index fingers are peeling quite a bit. Apparently when done correctly these do stay on really well for some people and I"m sure they are great for others, just not me. I'm kind of glad they are peeling since I"m so used to changing my nails every other dayish I was getting a little bored. Maybe I will give an update once I actually remove them and how that process went. Definitely a different concept. But worth a try if you are willing to pay 15 bucks a sheet and spend a lot of time learning the process.

~♥ Drastic