Updated: Caronia Nail Hardener and Basecoat, Fast-Dry Top Coat and Kwik-Dry and Cuticle Conditioner

Got a problem with easy-chipping nail polishes? All it takes is just one day and there would be cracks and peel on your nail bed already? Say goodbye to them now! Because you can now have that professional-like manis and pedis even while you are in the comfort of your own home!

What I'm going to review today is the Caronia Nail Hardener and Base Coat, Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat and Caronia Kwik-dry and Cuticle Conditioner.

In 1968, founders of Vibelle Manufacturing Corporation, Don Vicente Ang and his wife Belen introduced the first locally produced nail polish brand in the Philippine market, Caronia.

Caronia, named after the luxury ship, RMS Caronia easily became a popular brand among Filipinas because it provided them an alternative to limitedly available imported nail care brands.

Caronia Nail Hardener and Base Coat (P49)

Caroia Fast-Dry Top Coat (P49)

Caronia Kwik-Dry and Cuticle Conditioner (P39)

Bought from: Watsons

All three are housed in glass packaging with proper labeling and cute differently-colored stickers and brush applicators. I'd say they are travel-friendly, but wait, who brings these to trips? Do you???

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CARONIA NAIL HARDENER AND BASE COAT

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If you want your nail polishes to stay longer on your nails without chipping or anything, I suggest that you use a base coat. To tell you honestly, I don't use any base coat before applying nail polish back when I was elementary neither when I was in high school. But when I became so addicted to nail polishes, that's when I became more aware to things essential for healthier nails such as base coats, top coats and nail polish remover.

Tell you what, this is my first ever brand of base coat that I was able to try. The next one is the San San (I'll be posting a different review for that one). Anyhow, Caronia changed my views when it comes to nail care. Number one rule which I have known: Invest in an efficient base coat prior to using colored polishes. It will prevent stains and will help in making your nails fuller and stronger with every coloring.

What it claims: Protect your nails from breaking and chipping with a base coat that locks on to nail polish color!

What I like:

-does not look cheap

-prolong the life span of polishes

-prevents my nails from yellowing

-retails for only PHP39 for a 15ml bottle

-does what it claims

-makes my nails harder which always weaken when cleaned using cuticle pusher

-dries quickly

-widely available

What I don't like:

-smells like rugby.

-brush is so thin that it takes too much strokes to cover my nails with base coat

-has 30% Toulene, Formaldehyde, and DBP! (For short, it has the Big 3 Toxins we always dreaded and wanted to avoid on products (Anyhow, it doesn't matter if you're not a health conscious. But I am! And as I said, I never care to nail products before as long as there's nail polish. I have already bought it before I discovered that nail polishes also has toxins which might be harmful for the health.)

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CARONIA FAST-DRY TOP COAT

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If you're really into nail polish, without a top coat will definitely make you feel that your manicure isn't done well. Like a house without furniture. While you can top off your polishes with colorless, Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat assures you to dry your nails even faster and make it last longer. Actually, with base coat and top coat, I noticed that even after a week, there is still very minimal to no chipping which is a lot better than having applied nail polish only.

What it claims: Get durable, glossy finish in express time!

What I like:

-very effective in drying my nail polish faster

-very good in providing your nails that glossy look even after days of handy works

-protects your nails from chipping

-15 ml bottle costs 49php only

-doesn't contain the Big 3 Toxins except I'm using it together with the base coat

-widely available

What I don't like:

-smells like those rubber balloons

-makes me feel dizzy

-the brush is too thin for my nails

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CARONIA KWIK-DRY & CUTICLE CONDITIONER

***

While I already topped my nail polish with my preferred top coat, I still apply Kwik-Dry & Cuticle Conditioner. It's not that really necessary (in my own opinion) since my top coat is already fast-drying, I still apply it for conditioning purposes though.

It also prevents my nails from getting smudges, dirt and even light touches--which I always get from certain activities. Anyways, who would want ruined nail polish after an hour of prettifying? You definitely want it to be as perfect as the first time you apply your nail polish! So if you want a well-moisturized, added fast-drying components and smudge-free nails, you must give this a go!

What it claims: Dry your nail polish faster and keep it smudge-free while you condition your cuticles at the same time!

What I like:

-totally Big 3 Toxins-free (but using it together with the Caronia Top Coat does not make any difference at all)

-has mineral oil for further moisturizing effect

-affordable for only 49php for a 15ml bottle

-doesn't smell strong unlike the top coat and base coat

-Widely available

What I don't like:

-None

WOULD I BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

As of now, I'm still in the process of trying out new things to find what suits me best. But in any instance I'm not satisfied with any product which offers the same service, well, yes, I am most certain to buy these again!

Have you tried any Caronia product? Feel free ro share it here with me! Happy blogging!

Love,

Hanna

REVIEW: Caronia Nail Care Top Coat, Base Coat, and Cuticle Conditioner

Got a problem with easy-chipping nail polishes? All it takes is just a day and there would be slight cracks and peel on your nail bed already? Say goodbye to them now! Because you can now have professional-like manis and pedis in the comfort of your own home! What I'm going to review is the Caronia Nail Hardener And Base Coat, Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat and Caronia Kwik-dry And Cuticle Conditioner.

In 1968, founders of Vibelle Manufacturing Corporation, Don Vicente Ang and his wife Belen introduced the first locally produced nail polish brand in the Philippine market, Caronia.

Caronia, named after the luxury ship, RMS Caronia easily became a popular brand among Filipinas because it provided them an alternative to limitedly available imported nail care brands.

Caronia Nail Hardener And Base Coat (PHP49)
Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat (PHP49)
and Caronia Kwik-dry And Cuticle Conditioner (PHP39) 

CARONIA NAIL HARDENER & BASE COAT

If you want your nail polishes to stay longer on your nails without chipping or anything, I suggest that you use a base coat. To tell you honestly, I don't use any base coat before applying nail polish back when I was elementary nor when I was in high school. But when I became so addicted to nail polishes, that's when I became more aware to things essential for healthier nails such as base coats, top coats, nail polish remover.

Tell you what, this is my first ever brand of base coat that I was able to try. The next one is the San San (I'll be posting a different review for that one). Anyhow, Caronia changed my views whe it comes to nail care. Number rule which I have known: Invest in an efficient base coat prior to using colored polishes. It will prevent stains and will help in making your nails fuller and stronger with every coloring.

What it claims: Protect your nails from breaking and chipping with a base coat that locks on to nail polish color!

What I like:

• doesn't look cheap.
• prevents my nails from yellowing
• retails for only PHP39 for a 15ml bottle
• does what it claims
• makes my nails harder which always weaken when cleaned using cuticle pusher
• dries quickly
• widely available

What I don't like:

• smells like rugby.
• brush is so thin that it takes too much strokes to cover my nails with base coat
• has 30% Toulene, Formaldehyde, and DBP! For short, it has the Big 3 Toxins we always dreaded and wanted to avoid on products (Anyhow, it doesn't matter if you're not a health conscious. But I am! And as I said, I never care to nail products before as long as there's nail polish. I have already bought it before I discovered that nail polishes also has toxins which might be harmful for the health)

CARONIA FAST-DRY TOP COAT

If you're really into nail polish, without a top coat will definitely make you feel that your manicure isn't done well. Like a house without furniture. While you can top off your polishes with colorless, Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat assures you to dry your nails even faster.

What it claims: Get durable, glossy finish in express time!

What I like:

• very effective in drying my nail polish faster
• very good in providing your nails that glossy look even after days of handy works
• protects your nails from chipping. (Well, with base coat and top coat, I noticed that even after a week, there is still very minimal to no chipping which is a lot better than having applied nail polish only)
• 15 ml bottle costs 49php only
• doesn't contain the Big 3 Toxins except I'm using it together with the base coat
• widely available

What I don't like:

• smells like those rubber balloons that children always wanted to play
• makes me feel dizzy everytime I caught a whiff
• the brush is too thin for my nails (I'm having thin nails as well)

CARONIA KWIK-DRY & CUTICLE CONDITIONER

While I already topped my nail polish with my preferred top coat, I still apply Kwik-Dry & Cuticle Conditioner. Although it's not that necessary (in my own opinion) since my top coat is already fast-drying, I still apply it for conditioning purposes. It also prevents my nails from getting smudges, dirt and even light touches--which I always get from certain activities--which ruin my manis and pedis. Anyways, who would want ugly nail polish? Of course, you would want it to be as perfect as the first time you apply your nail polish. So if you would want a well-moisturized, added fast-drying components and smudge-free nails, you definitely would want to give this a go!

What it claims: Dry your nail polish faster and keep it smudge-free while you condition your cuticles at the same time!

What I like:

• totally Big 3 Toxins-free (though, as I was saying, using it together with the Caronia Top Coat does not make any difference at all)
• has mineral oil for further moisturizing effect (Best use it at night before you sleep to find you nails the next morning totally smooth-looking!)
• very cheap as well for only 49php for a 15ml bottle
• doesn't smell strong like the top coat and base coat, probably because of its ingredients
• Widely available

What I don't like:

• None

WOULD I BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

As of now, I'm still in the process of trying out new things to find what suits me best. But in any instance I'm not satisfied with any product which offers the same service, well, yes, I am most certain to buy these again!

Have you tried any Caronia product? Feel free ro share it here with me! Happy blogging! xx

SWATCH AND REVIEW: Wonder Woman Nail Polish Duo by Bench

Hi, guys! Wanna tell you that I so love this nail polish duo I bought from Bench! But first, et me show you the things that I used for my today's manicure before we proceed to further details!

(From left to right: Caronia Nail Hardener & Base Coat (for holding nail polish) 49php, Wonder Woman Nail Polish Duo in Gold, Wonder Woman Nail Polish Duo in shimmering pink 129php (available in all Bench stores nationwide), Caronia Fast-Dry Top Coat to fully seal the color 49php and Caronia Kwik-Dry & Cuticle Conditioner for smudge free nails 49php, and the San San Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover Pads 49php)

So here's another nail polish blog post. Today, I'm going to show you my most honest thoughts about this Nail Polish Duo by Bench. How I got this? Well, As my mom and I went shopping and everything, this suddenly caught my attention. Obviously, it's the packaging. It just looks great! Although I don't like the blue handle. It looks like a typical polish handle though it doesn't look cheap. Plus the nail polish is heavy, probably because of the heavily-lidded glass packaging. As I paid in the cashier area, I happen to notice the different shades of nail polish display just right behind the wax and other hair styling products of Bench. I actually didn't know that Bench also sells nail polish. I guess I am not that so keen as when I go there, I just look for tees or pants only.

So yeah, as the cashier punch all the stuff we've bought, I took the chance to look at their polish, and I saw these!

I'm really glad that when my mom saw me looking at them, she insisted that I include those on the things that we're buying. And that's how I got these! Maybe mom just saw this on me that I'm internally drooling over the polishes lol haha!

There are actually three of these, one has this red and blue duo, while the other one is gold and red. But since I fell in love with these gold and pink first, I chose them instead! I am actually planning to buy the other two next time I drop by Bench.

After applying base coat, I applied my first coat of this pink one on four nails only. Since this is a duo, I believe that I can't use just one of them, so I prefer to apply the gold one on my accent/ring finger instead. I don't know if they go well but hey, since they came from the same packaging, I think they are like a combo.

You can almost see little specks of green, gold, red, orange, violet, etc in the pink nail polish. Gold is the most prominent. So anyway, I love glittery shades, and I think that was what persuaded me to get this duo. Haha. What I didn't like is that the polish is not really opaque. It wasn't very pigmented at all that I had to apply several coats to get the finish that I wanted.

 (first coat)

Another thing I didn't like about the pink one is that it's quick-drying (in a bad way). I am just spreading the polish on my nail plate when the consistency of the fluid gets thick already. Well, for some other people, maybe that's a good thing since drying will be faster, but for me, it just makes the whole thing messy. But this isn't a problem if you have solvent for thinning out nail enamels.

As for the gold one, I have no problem with it. It just glides smoothly. Plus I really love the color gold when it comes to nail polish! Its elegance just never fades.

On my second coat, I achieved the fullness and opacity I wanted. It lasts 4 days in me before I got minimal chipping. The top coat and base coats helped a lot!

(second coat with top coat)

For this duo, you will just have to pay for as low as 129php. Not bad!

On the base of the bottle, here's a sticker there that says Warrior Princess. It's kinda made me feel like I am a warrior too lol! I guess it refers to the duo color? It has no ingredients listed on the nail polish. However, the full details are to be read on the plastic packaging.

So yeah, I think that's all I have to say! Happy blogging! xx

SWATCH & REVIEW: Cutex Nail Polishes in Shades of Pink Nail Art

Do you know what's the best thing to do when bored? Paint your nails.

I started this blog when I figured out that I want to build my own nail polish collection. I prefer buying local products at the moment since they are much cheaper compared to those high-end ones, though, in my own opinion, they offer less satisfactory results. I do not consider it as a problem since I am changing my polish more so often that I don't mind if a bottle of a local nail polish brand chips more easily compared to those expensive ones because I can always re-apply depends on my kind of shade. It would also save me a lot while I do manicure myself.

Rummaging through my nail polish stash, I found these pink shades from Cutex (I believe that it isn't a local nail polish brand though it's four times cheaper). Cutex is so far my most favorite nail lacquer brands because;

• it does not easily chips
• it does not create bubbles
• it dries out quickly
• it has a nice brush for easy application
• it is toxic trio-free
• it has keratin to strengthen nails
• it comes in a cute size bottle
• nice shades especially those shades that are duo-chromatic
• it retails for only 109.75php, but they are 50% off at the moment

However, I have here few negative points for this brand because they are;

• difficult to look for. I bought mine from Watsons (SM San Lazaro & Victory Mall). I don't know if other Watsons have them.
• comes in very limited shades only and I hope there are some more
• frosty nail polishes are streaky when applied
• smells too strong

Anyway, here's a photo of my current nails! I really love it because it's just so easy to do and let me show you how I did it! Picture! Picture!

My oh-so-yummy nails!

 What I used for my nails this time?

Cutex Nail Polishes in It's My Mystique, I Pink Therefore I Am, Strawberry Fields, Charmed, Caronia Base Coat, Top Coat, Cuticle Conditioner, Scotch Tape, and Scissors

Four shades of pink by Cutex! L-R: I Pink Therefore I Am, Charmed, It's My Mystique, Strawberry Fields

Here's the process on how I made this elegant-looking nail art!

First, is to paint your nails with all pink for the base color. It's somehow carnation pink in shade and if you can just see the frosty finish (well, I know you can't because the picture is on its low quality, sorry!) Be informed that before I painted my nails with this shade, I already applied base coat to protect my nails from polish stains and other chemicals the nail polish has. Don't forget to let it dry first before you proceed to the next step, otherwise, the tape will ruin the polish seriously and you don't want that to happen. Hoho! And when I say dry, it should totally be dry--the kind of dry wherein parts of polish will no longer be attached to the tape when removed.

First step (at least two coats)

Second is to paint your accent nail and every middle part of your nails with the Charmed shade then follow it with the It's My Mystique shade for added shimmers. You can do this by sticking tape on the upper and lower part of your nails, leaving a small rectangular shape in the middle where you will apply the glittery shade. You can use either Charmed or It's My Mystique alone, depends on your choice. But I apply both for a well pigmented and shimmery finish. Don't forget to let it dry!

*DIY TIP: To avoid ruining your polish, you can do so by sticking the tape on any surface first (e.g. skin) before putting them on your nails.

Second step

Results of the second step!

For the next step, I apply the I Pink Therefore I Am shade on the upper half of each nails except the accent nails.  Hmmm! It looks so yummy now! Hahahah! And then of course, don't forget to apply top coat for each nails to lengthen the life of your newly-painted nails or to avoid early polish chipping. Then apply the Caronia Kwik-Dry Conditioner for a smudge-free nails! Then tada! Isn't it so easy? Hoho!

Third step

Note: You can use whatever shades you want for this nail art, of course! :)

So that's my tutorial for today! Stay tuned for more easy nail arts! Happy blogging! xx

Love, Hanna