Part II: (IF You're As BAD at Doing Your OWN Nails As I AM,) When Using SH's Nail Art Pen, ALWAYS Have Nail Polish Remover (and Q-tips) on Hand!!!

I was so excited to find theColor Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen by Sally Hansen yesterday, that I rushed out today to buy the Nail Art Pen by the same company. As for ease of use? It is most definitely easier to use than thin nail polish brushes. Being that it's purpose is much more precise than the Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen, my review will be based on that fact.

As I mentioned yesterday, I've always been very bad at polishing my own nails. While the Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen is definitely the answer to my basic nail polishing needs, the Nail Art Pen is a bit more difficult for me to use. The design is just fine. Implementing it just takes more time and patience.

The pen itself is designed like a marker and works like one as well. The solution it contains is water- based, so it won't stick to your nail on it's own (a base and top coat is required). If you wish to use it just to place a design on your nails, you can always just use a clear base/top coat. The fact that it's water-based makes it easy to remove (and it's also environmentally safe)!!!

Unfortunately, water-based "paints" take longer to try. So, no drying an entire job in under ten minutes like with the Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen.
(Warning: If you don't have nail polish remover (or water and soap) handy and you get the solution on your skin, it will initially stick. It behaves much like Correction Fluid in this way. [Being that I don't have the most steady hands in the world, I have a tendency of doing this, thus requiring me to have nail polish remover on hand, which I consider a bit of a con.])

As for the price? Ease of use is usually worth it. But at $8 per 2ml (compared to the average nail polish bottle size of 10ml), is it really worth it? That depends on how much you want to be able to design your own nails. Personally? I don't think I'll be buying any other color [I bought the basic white] anytime soon, unless the price were to dramatically drop. (I think I'll try the Nail Art Decals next.)

I covered what most matters to me about the pen (and what I, in turn, thought would be most important to my readers). If you'd like to learn even more about the product (from a teenager who seemingly has a lot more time and spendable cash than this new Mom [me]), check out JackieAm's (quite extensive) review below:

As always, Happy Shopping, Ladies!!!

Part I: Ladies, Listen Up! Polishing Your Own Nails is No Longer The Impossible Dream!!!

I have always been very bad at polishing my nails. I mean, I've tried all of my life to perfect the polish. But no matter what I've tried (taking my time, trying to keep the coats light or stick to light colors, etc.), nothing has worked. I figured I had no choice but to either have someone else do my nails for the rest of my life (which can get pricey) or just leave them undone (which is the easiest option for the Mom on the run). That was until today.

I recently noticed an ad for a nail polish pen on the side of a city bus. I thought, "How novel. Being able to hold the nail polish applicator and nail polish in one hand should make things much easier! I think I'll give that a try."

So, today during my lunch break, I walked into Duane Reade with a question and walked out with the answer. Sitting at my desk at work (something I could have never done with an old-fashioned nail polish applicator and bottle), I was able to polish the nails on both my hands and feet in under 10 minutes!!! And here's the best part: all of my nails were dry within 11 minutes. You couldn't ask for something better than that!!!

Have I peaked your interest? Would you like to know the name of this little gem? It's the Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen by Sally Hansen. (Sally Hansen often delivers great beauty products at some pretty good prices.)

The Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen isn't the cheapest nail polish on the block at nearly $10 a pen, but it is definitely not the most expensive either. (It's pretty moderate.) The question is, how much are you willing to spend to help make beautifying yourself just a bit easier?

If we, as women, are willing to go to a nail salon and pay $15 (or more) a session to get our nails professionally (buffed and) polished each week, how much more cost-effective would doing our own nails be!!! (For information on being cost-effective by budgeting, check out my husband's article: To Budget Or Not to Budget.) It would also save us time traveling, what with not having to leave our home to do it ourselves. (In case you're wondering about putting your own designs on your nails, Sally Hansen offers Nail Art Pens as well. Once I try one, I'll let you know whether or not it's as easy to use.) It just makes sense! (Nicole by O.P.I. also offers similar pens: Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks (pictured here). I am going to give them a try next and let you know whether or not they work just as well!!!)

After years of bad experiences, my search for the perfect do-it-yourself nail polish is over! No need to take my word (or the picture of my perfectly polished nails) for it though. Why not try it for yourself?

(FYI, this is not a paid review. I just found another product I'm passionate about and I wanted to share it with you all. Remember, my goal is to make my readers' lives easier! Luv you all!!!)

It's June and the Weather is Great in NYC! It's the Perfect time to Visit!!!

It's that time of year again. The month of June is usually the perfect time to come visit NYC. Here are just a few reasons why:

• It's when the weather starts to get very beautiful (warm but not too hot).
• School is (generally) still in session so the streets aren't overcrowded just yet.
• There are many outdoor events to attend.

Check out this article to learn about just a few of the things that you can do this month in NYC:

June 2009 Events & Attractions in New York City.

Come visit the 'Big Apple' Soon! Maybe we'll spot each other on the street! :-)