Ooh! OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops, for sure! If you ever go to get your mani-pedis at a salon, you may have seen them before, but if you’re more of a DIY, at-home nail polish gal like I am… Well, let me rephrase that: like I USUALLY am, since I can’t reach my toes right now, so the only way I can get them painted is if I go to the nail salon, LOL!
But if you haven’t heard about this stuff before, GIRL, you need to know!
You apply the clear liquid to your nails right after applying your top coat, just one or two drops per nail, and five minutes later, voila! — your nails are dry, even if you aren’t using a quick-dry nail polish formula.
Now, I wouldn’t rush out and do dishes or chop firewood or charge the waves after exactly five minutes… I’d still wait 20 or 30 minutes before doing any rigorous work like that, but after five minutes or so, my nails are basically safe to touch.
Oh, and the drops also moisturize your cuticles because they contain jojoba oil and vitamin E.
I love these dang drops so much that I bring a bottle with me to the salon! Yup, whenever I go to the nail salon to get my toes done, I always bring my own products, and that includes my bottle of Drip Dry.
So, friend, what’s an under-the-radar beauty product that you think people NEED to hear about? Spread the word!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF! Ya know…I didn’t realize that we’d reached the end of the week until late last night in bed when I said to El Hub, “Babe, it’s Wednesday, isn’t it?” and he said, “Nope, Thursday night. It’s almost Friday.”
Whoops! Team Pregnancy Brain scores again. The days are starting to swirl together… I wish I could slow things down so I’d have more time get things ready before BG arrives, but I’m starting to get the hint that nobody ever really feels ready for a baby coming.
I’m so glad we all made it to the end of the week in one piece! What are you up to this weekend?
Chelsea says
February 12th, 2016 at 10:51 amHappy Friday! I’m sick with some sort of sinus infection / cold, but I’m feeling a bit better – Slurpees help with the swollen throat! My office is closed on Monday for President’s Day, but I still have class, so I’ll have homework to do. I’m also doing a dance class tomorrow and working the door at my friend’s burlesque show tomorrow night.
I don’t know if I have any real under-the-radar product people need to know about!
Lisa says
February 12th, 2016 at 11:04 amI’ve seen these but haven’t tried them yet. Are there any issues days later? Like, some quick dry top coats (I’m looking at you, Seche Vite) are awesome at first, but tend to shrink up a few days later. And I love Essie Good to Go, but I do think sometimes they look a bit dull within a few days. Anyway, just curious!
Lisa says
February 12th, 2016 at 11:45 amNail-wise I have really good luck with Seche Vite! I use it with layered with Gelous and am able to get a good 4-5 days wear. For me this is outstanding. I usually only get a day or two before chips start.
Irene says
February 12th, 2016 at 11:55 amI was on the hunt for drying drops after I’ve seen you mention this before. I went into Ulta last week and when I saw the $15 price tag… it was too expensive for me. Then I found drying drops from Nicole by OPI for half the price, $7! I figured it would be just as good considering they’re both OPI. So far I like it!
YELENA says
February 12th, 2016 at 12:01 pmooh I’ve never tried this before. But I have been trying to give some extra attention to my dry hands and cuticles…Essie’s many many mannies hand and nail lotion does wonders for my dry hands and cuticles, and it smells lovely!
I usually use it before bed when I know I won’t be washing my hands for a while and let it absorb over night.
JCarbonel says
February 12th, 2016 at 12:03 pmI use Out the Door Top coat. Its about $5 at Sally’s and it works better than Seche Vite! That stuff glops up half way through the bottle.
Kim says
February 12th, 2016 at 12:18 pmNice work on the bag packing! 🙂 Forget about pregnancy brain – wait until you get mommy brain. It’s like watching Bourne Legacy and seeing Jeremy Renner drop off his blues… 🙁
Don’t feel bad about the day of the week. I still rarely know the day or the date. And I forgot it was Friday for the last 3 weeks in a row. HAHA!
Have a great, restful weekend!
Allison C says
February 12th, 2016 at 12:26 pmI bought the budget version of the Drying Drops from essence for $2.99 & they are amazing! This weekend, Jeff was going to take me out to dinner but I have diverticulitis and it doesn’t want to go away so I’m back on meds and a clear liquid diet. Boo. I’m hoping we can at least go to the movies. It’s going to be below zero over the next too nights, brrrr! Have a good weekend, Karen!
Allison C recently posted … More Almay Softies Cushiony Eyeshadow Singles: Peach & Grape
Jennifer says
February 12th, 2016 at 12:27 pmGurl, I’ve never seen those OPI drops but I’m going to order some. The salon I usually go to has the spray to dry them but I don’t think that spray works so great. They still make me sit there forever.
My life-changing nail product this winter has been a tiny bottle of Nailtiques Formula 2. You can also use Formula 3. I order it on Amazon but you can also get it at Ulta I think. Walgreen’s also has it.
I was having terrible splitting and peeling nails this winter after a summer of long(for me anyway) gorgeous nails. Around Christmas, I was admiring the nails of one of my favorite sales clerks at the only boutique in my tiny, tiny town and she told me about Nailtiques.
You have to apply it daily for the first month or so but once you get your nails stronger you can cut back to once or twice a week. There are no words to describe how much better the claws on my paws look now.
If you order it on Amazon, it’s super cheap–like $5 bucks. Get the tiny bottle because it doesn’t take long to thicken up.
What am I doing this weekend? Shoveling snow! And watching my husband rake snow off our roof! We’re supposed to get 17 inches tomorrow. It’s cra-cra.
p.s. when is your actual due date? kisses and hugs to tabs.
Jennifer recently posted … Love List: Cookbook Club, Seed Starting Advice + Interactive Art Exhibit from Your Laptop
Shannon says
February 12th, 2016 at 1:10 pmDude. Something like drying drops might actually convince me that a mani is easy/convenient to do, lol! I *hate* waiting for my nails to dry. I’m way too impatient, and always manage to mess up a nail or two.
My under-the-radar product, which has been a fave for years, is the TRESemmé heat styling spray. That ish is THE ish, man. Silky soft hair like you don’t even know! Love it, and it’s so affordable. And it smells good. Win-win-win.
LindaLibraLoca says
February 12th, 2016 at 1:34 pmI have similar drops by Essence and I adore them!
And no, you are never ready for a baby to arrive.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Face Compact – One for summer
Amy says
February 12th, 2016 at 2:02 pmGiovanni leave-in conditioner. Love that stuff.
So when I was 8 months pregs, huge as a house, my hubs casually mentioned one night in bed that you have to change the baby every 2-3 hours. I was like, WHAT? Why did not one tell me this?!?! He yawned and said yeah, because the eat every 2-3 hours. He then rolled over and went to sleep, and I lay there like a stuffed sausage processing this information. How could I have had a a crib and baby books and a great MIL, and I didn’t think to ask this basic info?! Youngest sibs with no younger cousins, unite. So honey, if you know that one fact, you’re more ready than I was. The good news it all turned out fine. 😉
Rachel R. says
February 12th, 2016 at 2:13 pmThose drops sound great. I don’t do my own manicures often, but I tend to bump my pedicures right away and screw them up.
My under-the-radar beauty product would be City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Blush in Blackberry. It a beautiful cool berry color. The blush quality and pigmentation are wonderful, and it’s inexpensive. The pans are huge. Cruelty free. Good stuff.
Rachel R. says
February 12th, 2016 at 2:17 pmHit “post” too soon. Mommy brain at work.
We were going to let the kids stay at friends’ houses for the weekend, but my older son is really sick today. I’m not sure how he’ll feel by tomorrow. I’m really hoping the rest of us don’t catch it. Hubby and I were planning on going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day. My younger boy is supposed to see his girlfriend tomorrow. *fingers crossed*
Jules says
February 12th, 2016 at 2:55 pmHullo! It’s a gorgeous day here in Vancouver – boss lady was kind enough to let me go for a long break so I could walk in the 57 degree sunshine!
My weekend… I’ll be heading downtown to shop for a Valentine’s day outfit – I’m thinking something with a rocker chick vibe – and then Sunday will be spent trying to chivvy my bf into actually DOING something romantic. Then again, I may just cuddle with my kitty.
Holly says
February 12th, 2016 at 3:13 pmMy under-the-radar product is a waterproof gel eyeliner pencil by Essence. I’d been looking for a dark but bright (does that make sense?) green liner & found one recently for $2.49 at my local Fred Meyer’s. I love the color (it’s called Urban Jungle) & it lives up to its claim of being smudge-proof, water-proof, & long-lasting, plus it totally gets bonus points for being twist-up! No messing about with sharpeners, thank God! I’ll be buying a black one for tight-lining & I need to check for purples & blues.
Erin says
February 12th, 2016 at 3:36 pmI’d say oils from Sibu and Sonia Kashuk. Both are great.
Michelle ComesLast says
February 12th, 2016 at 4:24 pmYeah, you are never ready for a baby. Baby Girl is in charge at this point, you guys are along for the ride. I think my under the radar product isn’t so much a product but a technique. I found it by accident when I was suffering from over puffy eyes after trying yet another eye cream. I was just starting those fine lines at the edges of the lips, where your liner would go. The eye cream was great (Mario Badescu ceramide eye cream), but my eyes puff up like I’m having an allergic reaction. The opposite effect I’m going for! But I realized that would be perfect on my lips. So I tried a little and it was awesome! I was further vindicated when Dior released their Lip Maximizer and it has skin serum as well. I also use CeraVe on my lips. Also fantastic. My lips look awesome and I haven’t seen a line since. I realized that we don’t often treat our lips to the same skin care as the rest of our face. I put some of the eye cream on my lips when I’m cleaning my face for the evening. At bedtime, I put on the CeraVe. I keep some in an old Dior Creme De Rose container on my nightstand. The CeraVe plumbs but can actually feel a little dry. So once it soaks in, I put a swipe of Creme de Rose over it to seal it in. 3 thin layers, I don’t feel caked up. Those Dior containers are awesome. They last. I scrub out the base, and gently wipe out the top (it has the foam barrier glued in). I then fill it with other things, Cerave, L’Occitane for my purse, whatever you need. Hope you are feeling well! Get as much rest as you can.
Katherine M says
February 12th, 2016 at 5:50 pmHmmmmm…I’ve been loving a few things lately. I’m a sucker for the Dove soap Gentle Exfoliating bars – they get rid of dead skin while leaving my skin very soft. I’ve used them for several years on and off (I like experimenting with different soap sometimes). It’s nice to have the little creature comforts after some long working days.
Iris says
February 12th, 2016 at 9:30 pmI wish the nail drying product was around when I used to polish my nails in my teens. Mine would be Essence Cosmetics’s face powder. It’s a steal and works like a charm.
Take care and have a good weekend.
Kiss & Make-up says
February 13th, 2016 at 6:56 amI tried something similar for Bourjois, worked okay but I wasn’t blown away by it or anything. Sounds like this one might! Have a lovely weekend (yes, WEEKEND! ;-)) Karen!
India says
February 13th, 2016 at 8:03 amThe Lancome genifique under eye serum is amazing. It gets rid of all puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. I swear by it and I’ve gotten all of my friends addicted!
Chris25 says
February 13th, 2016 at 9:37 amThat nail lacquer sounds fabulous! I’m having trouble coming up with a product to recommend atm, though unfortunately I don’t have a proper excuse for my own current brain fog.:P
Chris25 recently posted … Sally Beauty Supply and MAC Haul
Fran says
February 14th, 2016 at 7:06 amKaren, I’m wishing you and BG and El Hub and Tabs all the best with everything having to do with BGs arrival. May these next few weeks go smoothly and be happy!
I don’t know if I know about an under-the-radar beauty product that people need to know about. But I think that, when it comes to skin care, it really helps to know something about ingredients in order to choose products that are going to be effective in meeting your needs. So I thought of a few blogs and web sites that are good for learning about ingredients — in no particular order:
The Beauty Brains
Colin’s Beauty Pages
Lab Muffin
Beautiful With Brains
some sites which also sell their own stuff, but still have some good info:
Beautypedia (not to be confused with The Beautypedia, which may also be interesting)
the FAQ at Skin Actives
Future Derm
Alicee says
February 14th, 2016 at 5:27 pmEstée Lauder’s tinted brow gel in black has done wonders for my brows, maybe I’m just late to the party. It’s my first brow gel so maybe that’s why I’m so impressed. I’ve been trying to get one for a while, but most companies only have warmed toned browns or light shades which look super unnatural on me.
Shawna says
February 15th, 2016 at 11:13 amI just randomly stumbled on the bomb.com! I saw someone on Instragram give a shout out to Gerard Cosmetics, so I decided to check it out. I ordered a couple of these lip glosses because of their fabulous price, and I had no idea what kind of genius product I just discovered! Each gloss has a mirror on the side and when you twist open the wand there is a light at the end! So no matter where you are you can get the perfect application! GENIUS!!! I ordered Pink Frosting and Pouty Princess. LOVE!!!! https://www.gerardcosmetics.com/color-your-smile-lighted-lip-gloss.html
Michelle says
February 15th, 2016 at 9:22 pmHappy Monday! I think one of the most under rated products out there that in actually going to get when I run out of my current foundations (both Shiseido) is Hourglass’ Immaculate foundation which has had some great reviews, discovered over the weekend, but has been out for like 4 years. So definite wanna try this out especially with the awesome hourglass primer reviews. 😉