Ruby Jelly Nails

Jelly sandwiches are something that I enjoy quite a bit. I knew nothing about them until I started following nail blogs. There are certain nail polishes classified as having a 'jelly' finish. As the name suggests, they are pigmented but translucent, like jelly. This tends to give the illusion that they are squishy and/or juicy. Even better, it allows you to layer a jelly with another polish and it completely changes the look of both polishes.

I love this combination, so I have worn it multiple times. The day that I got the best photos of it was before I started blogging, so I didn't think to take bottle shots. I took photos of the bottles today; that's why I'm wearing a different mani for those (look for it in a future post).

NYC Broadway Burgundy Frost

My jelly polish, which I applied one layer of after my base coat, is NYC Broadway Burgundy Frost. (I bought mine at WalMart. Retail price is $0.99, according to the NYC website.) As far as I can tell, there is no good reason for this polish to have that name. No burgundy, no frost. To my eye, it's a delicious-looking translucent red with red microglitter. I have seen a polish by NYC, also named Broadway Burgundy Frost and displaying the number 116, that is a frosted burgundy shade! Mislabeled? Extra bottles? I don't know. But if you're going for the red sparkly one, just double check that it looks red and sparkly in the bottle. I don't think a frosted burgundy would work for this look.

Milani Jewel FX Red

I own a few of the glitters from the Milani Jewel FX line. I like the coverage that they give, I don't have to fish around for the glitter, and the glitters lie flat on my nails. I chose the obvious Red in this case; no fancy shade name. (I bought mine at CVS; retail price is $4.99.) I added one layer of this polish, then another of the NYC, and then another layer of Milani.

I finished with Seche Vite quick-drying top coat so that it would stay glossy and smooth. (I love Seche Vite, but it's like a moody girl. You have to follow its rules and treat it just right or she won't cooperate with you. Put it on your tips as well as your nails, use it while your polish is still wet, etc. And it stinks, literally. The end results can be amazing, though. Poshe is less of a headache to me, with very good results.)

Have you ever tried a jelly sandwich manicure? It can also work with polishes that are not marketed as jellies, but are translucent/sheer, as long as they are not too streaky.