Monday 13 January 2014

Manic.Monday: I wore red velvet...

I've said it before and I'll say it again - for me Ciaté is the most ground breaking nail brand when it comes to giving us original and extravagant statement looks and effects. After all, Ciaté is the brand that's given us the caviar mani (thank you SO SO much), the feather mani, the flower manicure for this summer and today's special, the velvet mani. These might not all be to everyone's taste, but there's no denying that they are unique and eye catching. Just in time for Christmas Ciaté released a new limited edition, the Ciaté Red Velvet Manicure Set (£7 - currently on sale in John Lewis), which I'm showing you today.
With each velvet kit you get a base shade (in this case the beautiful vibrant red Boudoir), a vial with crushed velvet and a little brush. Before you start applying the crushed velvet, which is essentially a very fine powder, I would recommend that you put the plastic tray from the kit or some tin foil on the table, because this can get quite messy and that way you also collect the excess and can put it back into the plastic vial. Apply a coat of the base shade on all nails to start with, let it dry and then finish one nail at a time when you move on the the second coat and the crushed velvet. I would recommend that you make the second coat of the base shade a little thicker than normal, and then tap the powder straight from the vial over the wet coat, making sure that you get a generous amount - almost a little heap of powder on the nail, and use the brush to remove the excess without messing up the finish.
Needless to say perhaps, but you wouldn't use a top coat over the velvet crush, since it would completely ruin the effect. It's very easy to create the look, although it does take about 10 mins to do for each hand, making sure you've got a nice thick coverage etc, and after that you probably shouldn't put your hands into water the first thing you do...
Immediately after application
72 hrs after application
Out of all the different effect manis available to us, I have to say that the velvet mani unfortunately is the most impractical. While the matte, textured finish looks lovely when you've just applied it and you can't stop touching it, because the velvet is such a surreal feeling, it doesn't stay pristine for very long. As you go through your daily chores - washing up, showering, cooking etc, the finish will gradually change for the worse, as you can see in the photos however this can hardly be a surprise to anyone. So all in all, I'm not disappointed at all in how it looks after 72 hrs considering what I've  exposed the delicate crushed velvet finish to in that time, and while the velvet has gone grey and tired at least the base shade still hasn't budged. If you don't mind the effect looking a bit worse for wear, then it actually stays on without any chipping for about 5-6 days. Personally I reach for the nail polish remover after about 3 days when the velvet look is too murky and fuzzy for my liking, and then it's surprisingly easy to remove although you do need to put some effort into it.

The velvet look may not be the most practical one during the week, unless you have a butler or a very understanding family who will do absolutely everything for you so you don't have to mess up your gorgeous fingertips, but as an accessory to a party look or a special occasion, the velvet manicure definitely adds something decadent and lavish. 

88 comments:

  1. thanks for the photos! I was wondering what this really looks like.

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    1. I really wanted to show how it wears :o). Xx

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  2. Thanks for the review. It's honest. I agree with you completely - the look is great for parties but not for every day. Still, it's lovely.
    Beauty Fashion Skin Care Blog -Girlie Blog Seattle | Casual Chic Style

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  3. They look really nice!
    Very unique!

    www.chlotalks.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you - it's a shame the finish gets so grey and murky :o). Xx

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  4. Thanks for the review. Great post. I have been wondering about velvet finish nails, especially in terms of water when washing your hands or showering. I don't think it would be for me.

    Rachael x
    All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan

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    1. It's definitely tricky and there's no denying that the gorgeous finish wears off fairly quickly. Xx

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  5. Great effect, unusual! Thanx for sharing!
    Kisses

    Viky --- MySecretFashionPoison

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  6. We love doing our nails! Thanks for this great effect , will have to share your lovely and this post on velvet nails . xx

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  7. Well it looks pretty amazing! I think this is the kind of polish I would turn to for an amazing night out!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. It's definitely extravagant and even though it's impractical, I still love it :o). Xx

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  8. Velvet nails is such a wierd/cool concept! That red colour looks really nice!

    xxx
    Alice
    www.thehalfnerdgirl.blogspot.com

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    1. It's very unusual and I just can't stop touching my nails, they feel incredible :o). Xx

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  9. I used to have this! I used to find tapping out the powder with my left hand really hard so I'd tip a bit out and dab my nail in the powder. The bottle of the nail varnish broke, though, so I can't use it anymore :(

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    1. Oh no.. I hope it didn't completely ruin anything :o) Xx

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  10. I've seen these around the drugstore and always found them interesting but never actually knew how they would look on the nails. These look very unique and kind of a cool effect for an evening out or event. I am not sure I would like to wear this everyday but for a special occasion I think this would look nice.

    -Shelby
    http://bittersweetshelby.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Hi Shelby, I agree - they're not very practical for everyday use, but fun for a party :o). Xx

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  11. I don't know this kind of manicure.
    It's so cool, I'd like to try it.
    Kisses
    The Indian Savage Diary

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    1. It looks even better when you use darker shades :o). Xx

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  12. It looks amazing, I need to try velvet manicure sets x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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    1. Oh yes - and if you do, hope you share a link :o). Xx

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  13. Replies
    1. It's actually really easy to do, you just need to be prepared that it's a tiny bit messy and it takes a bit longer than normal nail polish :o). Xx

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  14. this looks so cool! I want to lick it for some reason... (I am weird :/)

    Relationships.College.Love

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    1. LOL - me too since I love that incredibly soft feeling of the nail surface. Xx

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  15. That is a really great review, I was wondering how the velvet finish would look like! It's a pity it is impractical, because I would surely love touching my fuzzy nails a lot! :D

    www.callmemaddie.com

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    1. That's really nice of you - thank you :o) Xx

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  16. Replies
    1. It's a perfect party color, and the look is so fun and flamboyant :o). Xx

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  17. I'm so glad you posted this! I wondered how it would look and I actually really like it but can see how it wouldn't be worth it with how much you wash your hands throughout the day! I am wanting to go with red nails now though-- so classic :)

    Carly | CBH

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    1. It's always the lighter shades that wear a little worse than the others too, if you'd gone for a dark blue or black, the wear wouldn't show as much :o). Xx

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  18. I really loved the look of this when I saw a review on some blogs for it before Christmas. Now it's on sale I am really tempted to order it for myself as I would love to try one of Ciate's nail effects sets!

    Plus I love Red Velvet cake so anything with Red Velvet in the name steals my heart. :P

    http://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com

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    1. Then you should definitely get it, and it's such a bargain right now, you've got nothing to lose :o). Xx

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  19. It's a good idea but I don't really like the way it looks haha

    Beth | BeautyBubbles♡

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    1. It's definitely not going to be to everyone's taste. Xx

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  20. It's different but i prefer glossy looking nails, it think it would annoy me haha, pretty colour though :)

    www.myladyboudoir.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Boudoir is a great color, very old Hollywood glamour :o). Xx

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  21. Such a cute look I love it, red is my favourite colour so I would love to try this out for myself.
    www.naomitalksbeauty.com

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  22. Wow! Very unique, never heard of anything like that before, I like it! :)
    http://lipstickandlightening.blogspot.ie/

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  23. These look so great, I have never seen anything like it before! I feel like I would be petting my nails all day long, haha!

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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  24. i think that the ciaté nail effects are more made for special occasions. one night with really glam nails but i really love how this one looks. i might have to get my hands on it.
    xx

    dornroeeschen.blogspot.com

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    1. You're definitely right, some of them might be stunning, but not always great for daily wear - not that I let that stop me though LOL. Xx

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  25. Wow! Such a great post! The effect is beautiful, but it's not very practical.

    http://www.evithefashionista.blogspot.ca/

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    1. That's so nice of you - thank you :o)! Xx

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  26. I got the MUA version of this which was shocking but i love the look of this :)

    http://champagnelambinibudget.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Ah what a shame, I think it also has to do with the shade.. the darker ones definitely wear better :o). Xx

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  27. Hello lovely, thank you for the sweet comment on my blog, I really appreciate it! :D

    Amazing nails, they look great!

    xoxoxoxo

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  28. Textured nails are so on trend right now and I'm loving this red shade. Perfect Manicure! <3
    xoxo
    Sierra Calah ♡ Berry Stylish  

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  29. I don't know how you managed it! I would of made a right mess trying to put on the texture lovely colour!

    mybeautysleuth x

    www.mybeautysleuth.com

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    1. LOL, it's so much easier than it looks I promise! :o) Xx

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  30. I've never seen this before, but I like the finished look! Ill have to give it a try and see how it looks on me. Also it's red and red has become one of my favorite colors.

    -Vogue&Heels
    www.vogueandheels.com

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    1. Oh you should and let me know what you think of it :o). Xx

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  31. This is the first time I've seen this type of nail art and I can see why people wouldn't be really into it. It looked nice immediately after application, but afterwards looks like you left something furry out in the rain if you have to use your hands a lot. It's definitely nice for the weekend when going out, though. The packaging is extremely cute, too.

    Sincerely, Christine from Invisible Blush

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    1. It's definitely not a look for everyone, but it's so much fun to try different looks and effects :o). Xx

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  32. Ohhh!!!! This is sooo cool! I love ciate products, cant wait to try it :)
    xoxo

    Novelstyle

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    1. It's a fun and interesting look - I hope you like it :o). Xx

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  33. This red polish is actually my favourite polish of all time! I just love it so much. <3

    Tara xo

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    1. It's so lovely and bright and definitely something I would wear even after X-mas :o). Xx

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  34. I agree, definitely not practical but lovely for a special occasion.

    writingwhimsy.com

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    1. Then again, I never have been very practical LOL. Xx

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  35. beautiful colors!!!!

    http://thefashionprincessblog.blogspot.it/

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  36. Thank you so much, that's so lovely of you and your comment really put a smile on my face -THANK YOU :o). Xx

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  37. Definitely not the most practical of manicures, but velvet nails are so ridiculously cool all the same!

    http://cequisuit.blogspot.com

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    1. I quite like them, although I do prefer the darker shades :o). Xx

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  38. I love that red! I'm not too keen on the fuzzy part for myself, since I'm always digging into my purse and handling papers all day at work.. I wouldn't want to leave a trace anywhere. Hehe. Great review!

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    1. Thanks a million - well £7 for a great nail polish is still worth it :o). Xx

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  39. That nail polish looks amazing and so unique! :)

    FASHIONARTED
    http://www.fashionarted.blogspot.com

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  40. I had some velvet polish for Christmas. My review is here: http://kimsbeautydrawer.com/2014/01/07/velvet-nail-polish/
    The only problem I found after wearing it was that everything stuck to it! Bits of fluff and all sorts! Great for a special occasion but like you said impractical for daily wear!

    Thanks for the post xxx

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    1. Thanks a million - not the easier look to wear, but the things we do for nails :o). Xx

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  41. This polish finish is so interesting. Do you find yourself petting your nails all day long? ha, I probably would be. Love the color :)
    Jessica
    the way to my Hart

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    1. Completely!!!!! LOL - it probably looks really weird... Xx

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  42. Ciate definitely comes up with some brilliant ideas and makes it easy to achieve these awesome looks with the kits they sell. I've got a couple of colours of their caviar beads that I still need to try. I figure they probably aren't very practical either but I like the look of them.

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    1. Hey Jenn, completely agree and I always snatch up some bargains when there's a sale on - I'm already excited about the Flower look for this year :o). Xx

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