I broke a Nail, not a Heel with China Glaze Lubu Heels

OK. So, I am not a person who is easy on her hands. In fact, I clean out 8 litter boxes a day.  Plus vacuuming.  Yeah, I know...

So, I'm not surprised when I break a nail.  But it still sucks.  =0P

This time it was my thumb on my LEFT hand.  My LEFT hand?  Really?  Honest to god.  How a person who is right-handed breaks a THUMB nail on her LEFT hand is beyond me.

It's all good, though. I fixed it right up using the Tea Bag Method.  If you have never seen it done before, check out the video.  It's an awesome way to keep the lengh of your nails so you don't have to cut them all down to nubbins!  I used 2 layers of tea bag and glue in order to feel secure with the repair.

Now she's good as new!  =0)

After that whole debacle I was ready for some color, people!

I chose China Glaze Lubu Heels. It is a vampy dark color (again almost black) with red glitter!  Very vampire / Halloweenie. Well, check it out for yourself:

China Glaze Lubu Heels

Click for a closeup. It's so pretty!

Last pic, I promise!

My one tip for this color is you have to stir it up really well before you start. I always roll my polish, but this one is pretty thin so I don't really think shaking it would produce too many bubbles.  The glitter needs to be distributed throughout the bottle first, though, or you won't end up with as pretty of a result.  And it needs 2 or 3 coats cause it's pretty sheer when you start.  It looks like a dark grey jelly-ish base with red glitter, but it builds well.

I know some people layer it over black, but I think I prefer it on its own.  I'm positive there's less depth and luminosity when you start with a flat black base.  It would just be like adding a red glitter top coat to black.  I'm sure there are red glitter top coats out there- I think if that's what you want you should just get one of those!  Lubu Heels, however, is gorgeous all on its own...

I put this on Monday and it still looks perfect. I think maybe due to the fact that I used the Barielle Manicure Extender I got from Marshalls. It's awesome!  Until I found that little gem along with my China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat, my manicures would chip in a day or two (remember, 8 litter boxes a day).  So, 3 days and going strong for me is huge!

What do you use to extend the life of your manicures?  How 'bout when you get a nasty break or tear?  Do you like the tea bag method, too?