Size: 0.4 oz.
Price: $10.50 (Free when purchased with the Formula X The System XCEL)
Features: Enriched with ShineXcel | Three Free Formula | Specially Designed Brush | 85 Current Shade Options at Sephora
Purchase: Sephora
If you missed last Monday’s post, I talked about the Formula X The System XCEL, read that review here, that I received free from Influenster to review (as always all opinions are my own). Part of what was also in my Influenster box was a Formula X nail polish to go along with the Formula X The System XCEL. I received the Formula X TGIF Nail Polish in my box so let’s get into my thoughts.
Now the Formula X nail polish as a whole is new to me so let’s talk about the nail polish itself before getting into my thoughts. To start off with the Formula X nail polishes are 3-free; which means that it’s free of dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde (if you’re interested in an informational post about why you should avoid these products, which brands are 3, 5, and even 7-free, and if it’s even worth avoiding just let me know). To go along with being 3-free Formula X nail polishes are also made without sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Let’s talk about the features of the Formula X nail polishes. Let’s start with the fact that the shape of the cape can be a bit of a hinderance when it comes to trying to polish your nails, however, Formula X took a page out of butterLondon’s books and made their “outer” cap removable. Essentially you give a slight tug on the “outer” cap to reveal a smaller round cap that is easier to handle when polishing the nails. I do want to mention that the cap isn’t so loose that it falls off or anything like that. Moving on from that, Formula X nail polishes are formulated with their patented ShineXcel which enhances the overall shine and color of the polish. Formula X also uses a patented No Compromise formula which is supposed to be long-lasting and provide a “stunning” finish.
Before we talk about my thoughts on the Formula X TGIF Nail Polish can we discuss how bad the brush photo turned out? For some reason my camera just would not focus on this little brush. The brush for the Formula X nail polishes is the same as the brush that the products in the Formula X The System XCEL have so you check out my post here for a better shot. I did find that I really like the brush for the Formula X nail polish as it made it easier to keep to just the three strokes for a standard manicure, some of my current favorite polish brands can require more strokes due to their smaller brush sizes. As for the application itself, the Formula X TGIF Nail Polish was went on my nails really well without streaking and was pretty opaque with just one coat.
Now let’s talk about the wear of the Formula X TGIF Nail Polish…well let’s talk about how I prepped my nails for this.
- I removed my old polish using the Formula X Delete All Nail Polish Remover
- I filed the few nails that had broken throughout the previous week
- I pushed my cuticles back
- I buffed my nails using a buffing block
- I applied butterLondon Cuticle Oil to my cuticles and then removed any excess from the nail plate using Zoya Nail Polish Remover
- I applied the Cleanse and Prime steps of the Formula X The System XCEL, letting Prime dry completely before moving on
- I applied two coats of Formula X TGIF Nail Polish, letting each coat dry completely before moving on
- I applied the Shine step of the Formula X The System XCEL, letting it dry completely before moving on
- I finished by applying Nail Butter around my cuticles and OPI AvoJuice to my hands
I want to mention this because I want to perfectly transparent about any factors that may relate to wear. Steps 1 – 5 and 9 are almost the exact same as any other manicure I do on myself, the only difference being that I usually remove my polish with Zoya Nail Polish Remover. Steps 6 – 8 are where the difference in my manicures come in and boy what a difference! The picture above is the same manicure that I just went through the steps with FIVE DAYS LATER! I kid you not…and I should add that four of those five days involved doing shampoos in Cosmetology School! Normally my manicures chip within the first few days, especially if we’re doing lab work in school. I also don’t think that how amazing this manicure looked in real life shows up that well on the camera. While the Formula X The System XCEL may have helped the longevity of the Formula X TGIF Nail Polish, I think that how gorgeous the polish looks is on it alone. I highly suggest picking up the Formula X The System XCEL and choose a polish of your choice but if you don’t want to do that then you should really pick up at least a few of the Formula X nail polishes!
Purchase Formula X TGIF Nail Polish
Shop Formula X at Sephora
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I love to paint my own nails so I will have to check this out!
I’m glad you liked how I explained the steps 🙂
The color looks more a dark orange in the bottle but on your nails it looks more coral, which is a color that I really love! I’m always on the lookout for new nail colors to try, so thank you!
I love how it turned out on, I was afraid it was going to be darker when I first started.
I can’t believe how long the polish lasted without chipping. That’s always a challenge of mine to find a polish that can last longer than 2 days. I’ll be lucky it doesn’t get chipped within the first 12 hours. Love the color you chose.
How cute is this bottle of nail polish? I haven’t heard of the Formula X brand, but I don’t wear nail polish. Good to know that Formula X polish is free from sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. I definitely wouldn’t want to add that into my blood stream.
I wish I could do my own nails! I tried to, several times before but all I ended up with was a big mess. I always need someone else to help me do my nails! This Formula X TGIF nail polish you’ve featured here has a lovely color! I will get one and probably get other colors too. It is always fun experimenting with new fun colors of nail polish. Thanks for the review!
I use to have the same problem. I found that a lot of practice helped me out and then purchasing a cheap eye brush to use with nail polish to clean up around the edges 😉
I usually don’t paint my nails because they chip from typing on the computer so much. I think that this system would be a great way to keep my manicures longer. I also love the color of this nail polish. I expected it to be a lot darker than it turned out to be.
I have the SAME problem when it comes to computer use. All of my chipping usually happens around the top, like what happened with the current brand I’m wearing, so this evening I’m going to put a bit of glitter polish on the tips to make a “nail art” manicure out of an old chipped manicure.
I rarely paint my nails anymore because they always seem to chip and show lots of wear within such a short period of time. It is so frustrating. I will definitely be trying out this nail polish — and your method of application– so I can finally have pretty nails!
A good tip if you want to wear a pretty color and it starts to chip after a few days, put a glitter polish over the top when it starts to chip. You just got two manicures out of one session of painting and it will extend your polish a few more days!
I have the SAME problem when it comes to computer use. All of my chipping usually happens around the top, like what happened with the current brand I’m wearing, so this evening I’m going to put a bit of glitter polish on the tips to make a “nail art” manicure out of an old chipped manicure!
Some brands have not only that but other harmful chemicals as well!
Whoa! I can’t believe that photo is five days on. I’ve mostly given up on trying to keep a manicure because even working from home as a freelance copyeditor I can’t seem to keep polish on and unchipped for more that a day. I’ve looked for more high-end polishes but for some reason the majority of polish colors in Denmark are a bit garish for my taste, so I’ve given up. I wonder if your technique would work with say Rimmel, which seems to do lighter shades than most here.
A good base and top coat should help it last longer and Rimmel is a good polish from what I’ve heard. If it does start to chip at the tips a few days in just add a glitter polish to your tips 😉
This sounds like the type of polish that I need! With 6 kids I can never keep a mmi for more than three days and who wants to have a ugly mani? I know I don’t! perfect for time crushed mamas like myself! Will try it out for sure!
If any of your kids are in after school activities then a good looking manicure is a MUST. You have to look on point when you take your kids around the other parents! I hope you find any polish that makes it easier.
I LOVE Sephora! I could spend my entire paycheck there easily! I can’t believe that is 5 days! I never ever have nail polish last that long – that is really incredible. I will be checking it out the next time I stop in.
I could spend my entire paycheck there as well…and that’s without justifying that I’d be reviewing the products on my site 😉
I’m usually the same way with nail polish. I paint my nails in the evening when I get home from school and by the time I go to bed I’ve already got a small chip at the tips. I don’t know if it’s the polish, the system, or the combination of the two that does it but I will be investigating further.