ASK Cosmetics TNT Challenge - Week 1

Last week I started the ASK Cosmetics TNT Challenge. You can check out my starting pics and post here. The biggest part of the challenge being only using the ASK Cosmetics products provided for 12 weeks and abstaining from other nail/hand care products including nail polish. 

So here we go...

Week 1 - Left hand

• Thumb - nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, & ridged; cuticle is healing still a bit dry but not as bad as last Friday, no longer cracked or torn, and hangnails are healing

• Index - nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, ridged; scab from lost hangnail is gone, small hangnail on right side is healing

• Middle - nail is  still thin, ridged, not peeling; no more hard, dry cuticle, hangnail on left side still there, but the tear starting in the middle of cuticle last week is gone

• Ring -  nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, ridged, starting to grow out nicely from it's tear last week; cuticle is no longer torn, hard, dry, raw & bleeding but healing quite well, so are the hangnails near the old tear

• Pinky - nail is still thin,  ridged but I managed to rip it off cleaning out the garage; hangnail starting on right side of nail is healing

Week 1 - Right hand

• Thumb -  nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, ridged; cuticle still a little dry, hangnails are healing up

• Index -  nail is still thin but stronger, ridged; scab from lost hangnail is healed, and current hangnail is healing up as well

• Middle -  nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was , ridged; hangnails almost gone

• Ring -  nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, ridged; cuticle is no longer hard and dry, tear in cuticle has healed and hangnails are healing up nicely on both sides

• Pinky -   nail is still thin but I think stronger than it was, ridged; cuticle is not dry and tearing on the bottom has healed, hangnail at the bottom is healing up nicely

So for the last week I have been using T.I.P.S. for Toes on my nails twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. I have also added an extra application is I knew I was going to have my nails in water for an extended period of time (like when I cleaned out out pond or took a really long shower). After each application of T.I.P.S for Toes and a few more times throughout the day, I have being using the ASK Contour nail file to seal the ends of my nails. This has helped immensely in decreasing the amount of snags and nail tears I have had this week.

I have been washing my hands with the ASK Revival hand and nail cleanser, which I have to say is pretty awesome. For example, the other day I bought new windshield wipers for my car and had to take the old nasty ones off to put them on, by the time I was done my hand were filthy with the weird black, oily dirt stuff that always seems to build up on cars in tight places. I thought I was going to have to wash my hands repeatedly to get it off. Nope. Just a small pea sized amount of the ASK Revival hand & nail cleanser and the water turned black and my hands were clean. I was shocked! I love this stuff!

After hand washing I apply a little bit of the ASK Revival skin conditioning milk. I am still amazed at how fast it soaks into the skin and love how light and non-greasy it is. 

So I am already impressed with the improved strength of my nails and improved health of my cuticles in just one short week. I can't wait to see the improvements next week! If you would like to purchase any ASK Cosmetics products you can click here to visit their website and don't forget to check out Lisa's awesome blog here. 

Much Love, The Dragon Lady

First Entries!!!

I received the first entries for each category of my DLN Happy OctoBlogoBirthdayWeeniVersary Nail Art Contest. I am so excited! I love seeing other people's nail art creations!!!

The first entry in the Halloween (Amateur) division:

This entry is from Melissa and here's what she used:

Tools:

• double ended dotting tool
• #000 brush

Polishes:

• CND Stickey base coat
• Zoya Yasmeen (purple)
• Pure Ice Wild Thing (neon green)
• Sally Girl Banana scented (yellow horn)
• Sally Girl You Glow Girl (glow in the dark on top of the monster)
• OPI Alpine Snow (white)
• China Glaze Liquid Leather (black)
• Wet N Wild Sunny Side Up (orange)
• All coated with NYC Grand Central Station. Everything was free-handed.

The first entry in the October/Awareness (Amateur) division:

This entry is also from Melissa and here's what she used:

Tools:

• double ended dotting tool
• #000 brush

Polishes:

• CND Stickey base coat
• Wet n Wild Megalast Sugar Coat (light pink)
• Wet n Wild Megalast Sugar Coat (hot pink)
• OPI Alpine Snow (white)
• OPI Planks a Lot (purple dots)
• Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet (mint behind cupcake)
• Love and Beauty Shimmering Teal (Forever 21 brand for the teal dots)
• All coated with NYC Grand Central Station. Everything was free-handed.

Interested in entering? Check the original post here. Good luck to all! If you are trying to decide on an Awareness theme, here is the list for October Awareness from Wikipedia.

Much Love, The Dragon Lady

DLN Happy OctoBlogoBirthdayWeeniVersary Nail Art Contest and Giveaway

I know I just finished a giveaway just a few days ago but as many of you know October 3rd was Dragon Lady Nails' 1 year Blogoversary. It also happens that 9th was my birthday and the 11th was my middlest daughter's 10th birthday. October also holds my most favorite holiday as well, Halloween. So how's about this....starting today and going until Halloween, the DragonLadyNails Happy OctoBlogoBirthdayWeeniVersary Nail Art Contest and giveaway. Yes, nail art contest and giveaway. I thought it'd be fun to try something new with a nail art contest.

Here's how it will work...

Giveaway:
Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below like usual. Please follow instructions and read the disclaimer at the bottom of the widget.

Nail Art Contest #1: HALLOWEEN
Email to: dragonladynails.com the following...

1. Your name:
2. Your GFC Followers name:
3. Your Address:
4. Professional or Amateur? - Professional would be nail bloggers and manicurists, basically people with some serious practice time under their belt. Amateurs would be those who just dabble occasionally or who are just starting out in their nail art adventures.
5. If you are a blogger please include your blog home page URL.
6. Tools, polishes, paints, stamps, etc that you used in creating your entry
7. The best pictures you can take of your Halloween Themed Manicure/Nail Art

The prizes for this category are one set of Phantom Frights Spooky Nail Colors - Glitter Set, one LA Girls Dotting Set that contains 3 mini polishes and a double-ended dotting tool.

Nail Art Contest #2: October Awareness Mani or Misc. October Theme
Email to: dragonladynails.com the following...

The prizes for this category are one set of Phantom Frights Spooky Nail Colors - Creme Set, one bottle of Revlon Stunning (multi-sized silver holographic glitter), and over 200+ round and bow shaped rhinestones.

1. Your name:
2. Your GFC Followers name:
3. Your Address:
4. Professional or Amateur? - Professional would be nail bloggers and manicurists, basically people with some serious practice time under their belt. Amateurs would be those who just dabble occasionally or who are just starting out in their nail art adventures.
5. If you are a blogger please include your blog home page URL.
6. Tools, polishes, paints, stamps, etc that you used in creating your entry
7. The best pictures you can take of your  October/Awareness Themed Manicure/Nail Art
8. If you choose to do an October Awareness mani, please include which one you are honoring(ex. Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence, etc), it's up to you if you want to include a why.
9. If you are doing just a miscellaneous October Themed mani please give us a title and describe your entry

The Nail Art Contest Rules:

1. I will accept entries up to midnight (my time) on October 31st. Not sure of what my time is? Check the little clock on the far right between "Contact" and "Followers".
2. No more than one entry per category - yes, this mean you can submit one Halloween mani and one October/Awareness Mani
3. Nail art/Manicure must be done on an actual hand (can be yours or someone else's hand) - sorry no just painting a set of fake nails and taking a picture.
4. You can use stamps, paints, polish, tools, decals, etc - just remember to list what you used.
5. The entry MUST be your own manicure/nail art - no stealing someone else's!
6. Be original! - Please feel free to use a mani from your own blog post or one that you have taken pictures of before.
7. Please stick to your skill range - the point is so everyone has a chance!
8. I will post entries with associated info (no email addresses and real names) but the description/title, category, etc.
9. The winners will be picked by myself and my oldest two daughters and will be announced by Nov. 3rd.

Onto the Rafflecopter widget!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There another chance to win for all nail art contestants at the end of the contest. More later!!! Good luck to all and we can't wait to see the awesome manicures you all come up with!!! Much Love, The Dragon Lady

ASK Cosmetics Total Nail Transformation Challenge

A few weeks ago I was chosen by Lisa Mueller from ASK Cosmetics and Lisa's Nailcare Blog to participate in the ASK Cosmetics Total Nail Transformation Challenge. You can also see Lisa's TNT Challenge blog post here. Earlier this week my TNT Challenge kit arrived.

The kit:

• one ASK Cosmetics Contour Nail File
• one bottle of T.I.P.S. for Toes
• one bottle of T.I.P.S 
• one bottle of REVIVAL Hand & Nail Cleanser with pump top
• one bottle of REVIVAL Skin Conditioning Milk

The Challenge:

• using only the ASK Cosmetics products daily for 12 weeks (easy-peesy!)
• all participants must refrain from wearing nail polish or having any manicures done for 12 weeks (*GASP* WHAT!)

Yep, no manis and no polish for 12 (TWELVE weeks). So I admit as a polish addict and nail polish blogger I totally freaked a bit at the no polish for 12 weeks aka 3 months thing. That means no Halloween manis, no Thanksgiving manis, no Christmas/Wintery manis, and no New Year's manis because this challenge will end for me on 1/4/13. That's a lot of manis to give up for someone who is used to polishing everyday or every other day. Then I realized just how many products I have purchased in the past to try to achieve healthy cuticles and nails and I can only guess much I spent. All to no avail. Isn't giving up 12 weeks worth of manis totally worth having gorgeous, naturally healthy nails? HELL YEAH IT IS! Plus I remembered that I have toenails and 3 daughters who love for me to paint their nails. So be on the look out for tinier nails and toe nail art. LOL! So with that we are off...ready for some ugly nail/cuticle pictures? Yeah, I knew you were.

Okay, as with any challenge like this, we need some starting photos so at the end we can remember how atrocious my nails looked before. So I rolled out of bed this morning, got the kids up for school and flipped on the lights in the lightbox and grab the camera. Yep, nothing on my nails, no filing done, ruely nekked (naked) nails.

First, a bit about the current state of my cuticles and nails: My nails are UBER thin, like paper. They are also very bendable not stiff. They peel horribly at the tips if I don’t keep them buffed. They are full of ridges, and as for my poor cuticles…They are currently dry, cracked, torn, peeling, bleeding, and sore. I have tons of hangnails that have appeared in the last few days. I will admit to being ill the last few days and showing absolutely no love to my nails or cuticles and it shows.

Starting nails - Left Hand

• Thumb - nail is thin, dry, ridged; cuticle is hard, dry, cracked, torn, and has hangnails near right-bottom side and one starting on both sides of the nail
• Index - nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling and cracked at tip; scab from lost hangnail, small hangnail starting on right side of nail and hangnail on left
• Middle - nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling; hard, dry cuticle, hangnail on left side, tear starting in the middle of cuticle
• Ring - nail is thin, dry, ridged, recently torn; torn, hard, dry, raw & bleeding cuticle, with hangnails near tear
• Pinky - nail is thin, dry, ridged; hangnails starting on right side of nail

Starting nails - Right Hand 

Yes, I have a right hand. You just don't see it in swatches/manis because I am usually holding the camera with my right, being right-handed and all.

• Thumb - nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling; cuticle very dry, hangnails starting on both sides
• Index - nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling; dry, hard cuticle, scab from lost hangnail
• Middle - nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling; dry, hard cuticle with hangnails starting on both sides
• Ring - nail is thin, dry, ridged; cuticle is hard and dry with a tear and a hangnail and two more starting on both sides
• Pinky -  nail is thin, dry, ridged, peeling; cuticle is dry and tearing on the bottom also hangnails at the bottom, left, and right

After taking these starting photos I proceeded to re-read the pointers Lisa emailed me about how to use the ASK Cosmetics products in my kit more effectively.
The following is quoted from that email: 

• Clip or cut back any damage you may have at the ends of your nails;
• Refrain from using any other nail products during this time;
• Do not cut, clip back, massage or stimulate your cuticles in any way;
• Always be sure to apply TIPS first thing in the morning before putting your hands in water.  If TIPS is applied first, then water can't enter the nail tissue and dry it out!  It's as simple as that.  
• You can't wash TIPS off, because it is the only product on the market that has been proven to actually penetrate the nails, nail tissue and cuticles - treating, fortifying and hydrating them from within.
• For all of you - I would strongly recommend beginning your TNT Challenge by applying TIPS for Toes to your fingernails in order to give them a big boost right from the beginning.  Then after several weeks as you see new texture in your nails, your cuticles have receded naturally and your nails feel a lot stronger, then you could continue to use TIPS Nail Conditioner for the rest of the time.
• Use the Contour Nail File at least once a day to seal the ends of your nails and prevent snags.  In fact, most participants in the past who have followed my instructions of filing 5 - 7 times gently each day have gotten rid of their cracked, peeling nails completely!
• Refrain from using any other hand lotions or creams on your hands other than the ASK Cosmetics Skin Conditioning Milk.  You see, other lotions contain large amounts of waxes and silicones and this will a) hinder the effect of TIPS by leaving a waxy film on your nails that is very hard to get off, and b) due to this waxy, "silicone glove" effect your nails will have a yellowish tinge to them over time.  Products with waxes and silicones also dry out your skin and hands greatly.
• One application of TIPS for Toes each morning BEFORE EXPOSURE to water is wonderful, but you may want to do two applications to see faster results.  Just remember though, for a second application your hands must have been out of water for at least one hour.  That is the time it takes water to evaporate out of your nails and hands.
• One of the huge advantages of applying TIPS is that there is NO waiting time after your 2 - 3 min. application.  Simply rub your hands together ever so gently, keeping in mind that you don't want to touch or massage your cuticles in any way.

I also went over to the nailcareASKlisa youTube channel and checked out some of the short, informative videos on how to use the contour nail file and the proper way to apply T.I.P.S to my nails. T.I.P.S by the way stands for The Incredible Protection System. After that I took Lisa's advice and started with T.I.P.S for Toes. I applied it as directed in the video and noticed right away that the rawness and soreness of my torn cuticles and hangnails disappeared. I also was a little shocked at how fast my nails sucked the T.I.P.S. for Toes in. After applying I waited about 3 minutes and then used nail clippers and the contoured nail file to remove damage and smooth & seal my nails (just like the video showed). I will admit that the contour nail file had me a little worried about how to use it but the video showed me just how easy it was to use. I will say this, it ROCKS! The edges of my nails are so smooth I keep catching myself feeling them. The whole process from T.I.P.S for Toes application to end of filing took about 5 minutes. 

I then rushed off to get the kids to school.When I got back I decided to follow another of Lisa's suggestions and do second application of T.I.P.S for Toes to see faster results and let in soak in for about 5 minutes (I got distracted on FB - curse you FB games!). I jumped into the shower afterwards and noticed how the water seemed to glide off my nails and the skin around it. Like water off a duck's back without any greasy feeling. Pretty cool! After my shower and hair care routine, I wanted to make sure I removed all of any hair product that might be left behind so I tried out the REVIVAL hand & nail cleanser. The Revival hand & nail cleanser was very light and gentle. After this I applied a small amount of the Revival skin conditioning milk. I was shocked at not only how light and silky it was but how fast my skin absorbed it. I kid you not, like 10 seconds! There is also no greasy, residue left behind like most other lotions.

So my first day of the TNT Challenge is off to a great start. Now it's time for me to go do some coding for my C++ project. Until later...

Much Love, The Dragon Lady

DLN 1000+ Followers Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to Hana Clay and Cristiana Resende for being the two winners of my DLN 1000+ Follower Giveaway.  I have already emailed them and hopefully they will respond within 48 hours, if not I'll chose another winner.
**UPDATE**
Both ladies have responded and I'll be mailing out their prizes tomorrow.

Thanks again to all my lovely followers! Much Love, The Dragon Lady

Update and more

Sorry I've been missing for a few. I got a nasty summer flu right after I posted my giveaway and was down for a whole week. I have been frantically trying to get caught up with all my college coursework since then. Basically, trying to find my balance. I will be picking the winners for my 1000+ follower giveaway after class tonight and hope to have them contacted soon after.

We are going  to do something kind of different today as well...

The first person to email me at: dragonladynails@gmail.com with their name, email, mailing address, and correctly guess the answer to the following question will win a prize.

Question: What is special about today?

Please remember to include you information or I will toss out your entry. I will edit this post once someone has won. Good luck all! If no one guesses correctly I will post a hint later this afternoon.

***UPDATE****

We have a winner. Brandi, emailed me her info and correctly answered the question. Today, is

DragonLadyNails 1st Blogoversary!!!

So be sure to keep an eye out for my Blogoversary Giveaway. Much Love, The Dragon Lady