Giveaway and Product Review: Jamberry Nails

*THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

I was recently approached by Jamberry nail wraps consultant Jessica Pedigo who gave me sample accent nails to try so that I could review them and discuss my honest opinion of the product. Not only am I reviewing these wraps, but Jessica wants me to give a manicure set of Jamberry wraps away to one lucky reader too! You can enter above. Here is my review.

I have a unique perspective to the use of these nail applications as a runner because I, like many runners, despise my ugly running toes! Running is so hard on my feet- from blisters to toe nails that turn blue and fall off, my feet are rarely pretty. Nor are they something I enjoy showing off. Jamberry may change that though...

Because this product is typically used on the nails of your hands, I tried this product out on my fingernails as well. This was different for me because I don't usually wear nail polish since I can never get it to stay on for very long. Doing the dishes, laundry, cooking, playing outdoors with the kids- all of these contribute to nail polish never lasting. Again, Jamberry may change that too.

Jessica sent me a little application package with all the tools I needed for proper application, sans my hairdryer. 

It took me about 35 minutes, from start to finish, to apply six nails, and paint my remaining 14 with regular polish. It was important that I painted some nails with regular polish while using Jamberry nails on some so that a thorough comparison between the two could be had over a seven day period.

There are a few application methods to choose from, and I went with the one that I felt seemed the easiest. There are videos posted on the Jamberry website that definitely helped me figure out what I was doing and were easy to watch while attempting to apply the nails. Jessica had also sent me step-by-step directions in my application kit. The first nail was hard to figure out, but after that it became easier. The tool above, although intended to help push back cuticles, really helped since the little nail wraps are very adhesive to the touch.

Once securely adhered and smoothed down, I used my blow dryer to warm the nail prior to and after it was applied to my finger nail. Then the Jamberry nail wrap had to be trimmed. This was the hardest part for me because I did not have nail scissors. I used nail clippers which were fine, but not ideal. For a day or so after application I kept clipping off tiny little rough edges until I was happy with the shape of my nail.

I may have trimmed my nails a little too much. I noticed after a few days the wrap seemed to settle a little lower than the top of my nail. Not really a big deal, but something that I noticed.

The accent nails after applied.

Okay here is the brutal truth to toe nails and being a runner. Inevitably, at least one of your nails always look like this one. Six months ago my second toe didn't even have a nail, so the fact that it is now merely bruised and misshapen is an improvement. 

Here is my second nail with the wrap on. The wrap may not have been a perfect fit, but for the purpose of this review, it was fine. Here is my foot with the wrap (blue) and then regular pink polish.

I used one pink patterned and one floral wrap on two of my fingers on each hand, and then a blue wrap on one toe on each foot. The rest of my nails were painted. I wanted to give the painted nails the best possible chance to compete with the wraps, so I painted them the right way. One clear base coat, two thin color layers, and a clear top coat. I let every coat dry thoroughly before applying the next. I used OPI and China Glaze polishes, both quality brands.

Here are my nails at the end of my first day, about 10 hours in. All perfect.

By day 2, my pointer finger had already started to chip.

By day 5 I had contacted Jessica and told her I didn't think I could go much longer without touching up the polished nails! She reminded me that this was for my blog, so I had to STAY STRONG!

Final day of the comparison challenge. My pointer and thumb painted nail polish was more than half off. My ring finger was chipping. Keep in mind that those nails were all regular polish. My pinky, covered with a Jamberry wrap, was near perfect, as was my middle finger, also a wrap. I will say that the middle finger did chip ever so slightly, but did not continue to chip like the regular nail polished ones did.

And the true test... Could the blue Jamberry wrap make it through 10 miles of training throughout the week and then 13.1 miles of a half marathon- on the sixth day of the challenge? YES! It looks perfect! Although my painted big toe looked great still too, my other little toes with regular paint were starting to chip a little.

So, in the end, what do I think? Are they worth it? YES! Jamberry nails are worth the cost and the time it takes to apply them. I haven't removed them yet, and do not plan to until I have to, so I don't have a review of that part of the process. 

Want to know what the best part of this review is? Jessica wants to give away a free manicure set of Jamberry nail wraps, as well as a mini application kit like she sent me. Isn't that great! You can enter at the Rafflecopter above. Also, if you private message Jessica on Facebook, she will send you a free accent wrap like she sent me, so that you can do the 7 day challenge and try it for yourself! If you are interest in buying the wraps, she can help you with that too.

Isn't that AWESOME!?!?! You have one week to enter, and you can submit up to 4 entries. Once the giveaway is over, I will contact you so that I can get your mailing address for Jessica. Then she will send you your FREE JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS! You can enter above this post!

(If you have trouble seeing the Rafflecopter Giveaway because you are accessing this post from your phone, check out this post as the web version (link at the bottom of this blog) or from a PC or computer and you will see the Rafflecopter Giveaway at the top of my blog feed).