u/KaizerWalzer

Lacqueristas,

You've defeated me ! Or... you've made me triumph ? Either way: here is my updated OPI Samoan Sand mani.

Saw my previous post as I was getting on there to post and god. That pic really was tragic wasn't it?

I'll be honest: as I was writing that previous post, I was fuming and looking for approval, so all of the "user error" comments had me somewhat miffed haha. But I guess now I can't do anything but admit it really was user error in the end.

So what did I do differently this time around ?

First (but I don't think that really changed anything), I switched to a OPI base coat instead of my Herome hardening one.

Second, I read the comments advising me to paint with my brush parallel to the nail instead of perpendicular. Show-stopper.

Third, I manipulated the lacquer as little as possible, instead of compulsively trying to smooth it by going over it again and again with my brush. Quite the game-changer as well.

I'll be completely honest: though the last two tips really were fabulous and changed my whole experience, I still find the lacquer frustrating and difficult to work with.

I read the comments suggesting I use a special base to compensate the ridges in my nails - my nails are not ridged ! The lacquer does that ! I have no idea why and have never had anything else look like it.

Anyway, I really wanted to shout-out and thank everyone who gave me kind advice and resources. There were so many sweet comments in spite of the atrocious job I did and that really speaks to how great this community is.

Also shout-out to those who made fun of me lol, you were right and I suck ass at doing nails and I needed to be brought back down from my high horse and accept that.

Anyways. I'm no longer fuming and can now return to worrying about other things (like ??? How unflattering is this color on me ??? WTF??? Is that really what I got so frustrated about ? Was it really worth it ???) ( And also, how do my cuticles look so bad ? Kindly asking for advice again).

Much love to y'all !! Happy to have made you laugh

I'm really at the end of my rope here.

I've recently gotten into nail polish after about a decade of having bare nails. I think I remembered OPI being a reputable brand from my teenage years, so I bought a few lacquers.

Kind of struggled with them at the beginning but just shrugged it off as me being inexperienced and kept on my merry way, abandoning them for the Manucurist smooth line.

But recently I decided to go back to opaque polish, and saw some promising pictures and reddit reviews of the color "Samoan sands", so I bought it.

Though the colour is great, I've never had such a hard time painting my nails and the experience so far has been catastrophic, for several reasons :

1. The consistency: instead of thin, smooth coats, it applies in thick, streaky coats. And by streaky, not only do I mean the color, but also the texture, which makes it super hard to have an even surface without bumps.

I tried to remedy this by adding a few drops of lacquer thinner, but it hasn't really solved the issue. If anything, it made the second issue worse, which is:

2. The sheerness. I have seen people mentioning that the lacquer needed 3 coats to be opaque, but I've still had some sheer spots (see above: uneven application) after an astonishing FOUR coats ! This is crazy to me, and it worsens the third issue which is:

3. The drying time: I'm doing my nails for the second time tonight cause my lacquer never dries, no matter how thin I try to apply it. I wait on average 10 minutes between coats and added the Sally Hansen Insta-dri top coat and still that shit slid off my nails. I'm so mad right now. This keeps happening even though I'm trying my best to apply the thinnest coats possible, in spite of the horrible consistency.

I'm incredibly frustrated right now regarding this experience with a lacquer that is frankly far from being cheap. I don't even know what to do.

I don't know if this is due to my own ignorance and inability or if this is somewhat universal.

I just.... I think I needed to vent. Pictured here: my nails after 2 coats. I might just give up. I've already spent an hour on my nails and nothing works.

I can still see all her listings though, and I'm not sure why I would have been blocked after they accepted my offer. Perhaps because I took too long to actually buy it ? I was waiting to get paid 🥲

Keep on waiting for news of its release but it's still marked as coming soon even after all this time...