The Mentality Nail Polish Scandal

I know I'm a small blogger and that most of you have heard about the Mentality issue on Facebook/Instagram/blogs already but I'm still writing this incase someone still haven't heard about it.

Basically the indie polish maker Mentality Nail Polish is possibly dangerous to use and should be avoided!

Earlier claims is that only their neon spring collection was causing horrible burning sensations in the nails and nail loosening (onycholysis). And yea, not all people has been affected but it sure has been INSANELY many who has suffered from this because of Mentality, it also seems as more people are popping up each week. Mentality officially calls people suffering from this issue for just being "sensitive", which is a load of BS IMHO.

The reason (Mentality claims) is because Mentality used a "bad batch" of nail polish base from a side-company to Nubar. They also claim that that "damaged" base only has been used to that neon collection and that they've stopped using that base. And that the bad base + the neon pigments has reacted somehow. However, apparently all this is just a wild guess. From my knowledge they have still not tested anything so it might as well be something else in their production. Who knows? (The newest speculation is that their new UV gel line and the regular polish line somehow has intermixed, and as you know unhardened gel commonly cause reactions..)

However again, now it seems like more people has come forward and realized that also other collections way prior to the neon spring collection has caused nail loosening. It is not only the neon collection that might cause these problems!

Furthermore, Mentality started to refund people but has now decided that they wont anymore (which is weird) and instead they launch new collections and are selling the neon collection on 50% sale. (yay, poison for 50%!)

Since they've started to refuse refunds, customers has started "claims" on paypal to force them to pay back. Mentality are then defending them selves by saying to Paypal that people (their customers) are bullying and harassing them and that they shouldn't be force to pay.

The worst thing is that it seems like Mentality has been aware of this issue for a year before this hole thing exploded in social media. Also it seems like they've prepared to avoid lawsuit by changing their business to a cooperation in a very "suiting timing". 

I only own one Mentality which I got in a swap in a facebook group before this Mentality issue got public. I still haven't tried it and now I doubt that I will ever use it on my nails. I'm honestly too scared to try it. I know all people might not react to the polishes and if you have them and continue to use them I urge you to be careful and keep a watching eye on your nails. Still I like to point out that I will continue to use indie polishes from other brands.

I think that mistakes can happen to anyone and of course Mentality didn't do this on purpose BUT the way they have handled this issue is beyond horrible. And I feel so sorry for all people who has been victims of this, a whole bunch of people in the swedish nail community has been affected.


There's a lot of well written and more detailed information about this in several blogs which I also urge you to read:
Here Themercurialmagpie speaks about it.
Here Ashleyispolishaddicted speaks about it.

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Swatches of 2014 - Summary

Think this will be the last summary from 2014. So soon there things will go back to normal ;) But before that, let's look at the "regular" swatches I've done over 2014. Previously I've showed you summaries of both glitter swatches, my favorite nail art from 2014, winter nail art challenge summary and blogger statistics.

Thinking back I've really adored both Claudia and Kleancolor the most. :) Quite fun seeing the polishes in creme/crelly/"creme-shimmers" in just one post.

What do you think? Have I neglected some color category? ;)

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Glitter swatches of 2014 - summary

I'm really into the summary mode and here's another summary post of the glitters I've showed during 2014. I've divided them in 3 categories here;

1. glitters covering on their own (or at least that's how I used them)
2. glitters with a clear polish base and must be layered; ie; effect polishes
3. glitters with a colored base, doesn't need to be layered.

As you can see of the above, only three of them covers of their own, and those are the ones I like the best.

From the effect glitter top coats I like the L.A. Girl - Uninhibited (black glitter) because it's so versatile for nail art etc. And I also like the the pink Claire's polish and the Lush Lacquer polish.

From these it was quite simple to choose, my favorites are the brown/blue Smitten and the two El Corazon.

What do you think? Got any favorites out of these?

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Winter Nail Art Challenge - Summary

Today I'm showing a summary of the Winter Nail Art Challenge which Helena at Lacky Corner organized and hosted. Thanks for an awesome work Helena:)
And below are my contributions:

My personal favorites are the Christmas tree and the Snowflake manicure. :) Which one did you like the best?

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Fun blog facts of 2014

Previously I've showed you what I thought was my best nail art's and I figured that I'd tell you some fun (?) facts which blogger statistics have showed. And that is what YOU readers probably have thought was my best things (both 2012-2014) considering the amount of page views;

Interesting to see is that for the second year in a row A clockwork orange nail art is on top with most page views. Still here from previous year is the White spider nail art from 2012, dandelion (2013, Hoopoe bird (2013) and the balloon funky french (2013). "Newcommers" on the list are (unexpected from my point of view) the "Side-flower"-tutorial (2014), Cow funky french(2014) and the Swirl needle dragging (2014).

A clockwork orange nail art (2013)

Tutorial of "side-flower nail art" (2014)

White spider nail art in black and pink (2012)

Cow funky french (2014)

Dandelion nail art (2013)

Hoopoe bird nail art (2013)

Balloon funky french (2013)

Must mention, the Balloon funky french is still my most commented post ever! :)

B&W needle dragging, swirl/fingerprint nail art (2014)

Other statistics:

From linked websites (except like facebook, pinterest, google, bloglovin etc) I've got a lot of clicks from Lelack and Lindas Nailorama.

Other fun facts are page views divided in countries here from when I started blogging. The countries being on top visiting my blog are from;

1. Sweden
2. United States
3. Russia
4. Germany
5. France
6. Great Britain
7. Ukraine
8. The Netherlands
9. China
10. Canada

Basically I got more French page views and less from the Netherlands and Canada. Ukraine and China are new comparing to last year. Also India and Poland has disappeared from the top ten list.

More statistics about page views per months and other read and follows counts, check out my Contact, PR & Policy.

Here is
Fun blog facts of 2013

So, what do you think? XD

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My favorite nail art's of 2014

This is a part I really like, watching back of what I've done during the year and what I've been the most content with! (At least from what I think today).

In many ways this year has been different from other years, I usually have most of my favorite's during the end of the year, but this time most of my favorites are from the beginning of the year, mostly because of lack of time. I also feel that I haven't tried especially many new techniques this year.

Above is my favs in no particular order.

There has also been some "firsts" and also "repeats" this year;

• I've participated in many challenges
• still doing Where-in-the-world challenge
• did the 3IDNC (russian style in the spring)
• Winter Nail Art Challenges challenge
• Depression Awareness week in green
• Breast cancer Awareness week in pink
• Joined Nail Challenge Collaborative
• Me and Zara from Traces Of Polish created Valentine Polish Week <3
• And here I list all the new nail art techniques I've tried during 2013 (new to me);
• tried water color nail art
• managed to make full nail stamping and improved in stamping a lot
• tried some new needle dragging patterns, like hearts and swirls!
• tried dreamcatcher nails for the first time
• have also done a bit more "serious" skittelettes this year.

Do you have any favorites from this year? Which ones are your favorites?

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A summary of 2014

Hi everyone. Being on a holiday usually means a lot of free time for me, but during this Christmas/new year it wasn't, at all. I'm therefore behind in both blogging, answering comments, reading blogs and commenting. I'm also back in Germany again, so hopefully I'll soon get some routine on things.

I'll start this week with some summary posts celebrating 2014, nail polish and nail art wise. I'll start with this list I've done before which originally comes from Cactus blog.

Have you done something this year that you haven't done before?

Nail polish: There has been some larger hoarding of polish but mostly I've kept a tight budget and haven't splurge in the polish in the way I've wanted to. A big difference from previous years, is that most of the polish I've bought hasn't been online, but during my stays in other countries. I've also had an amazing nail polish swap from Russia. ^^

Personal: I've moved to Germany, haven't done that before.

What countries did you visit?

Nail polish: Nail polishes arrived Sweden, Germany, Canada, Russia, and some eBay findings from Asia (probably Hong Kong). Did buy some stuff from the US too..

Personal: I've visited Canada and obviously Germany.

Did you miss something 2014 that you wish for in 2015?

Nail polish: Naa.. I'm looking forward to see all the flakie collections which will appear everywhere and by everyone.

Personal: Still that frickin' job..

What's the best things that happened to you during the year?

Nail polish: Oh, I've got soooo many new awesome polishes, hard to mention all of them, but among my favorites are definitely the ones from my Russian swap, the matte glittery polishes from Dance Legend and El Corazon.

Personal: That trip to Canada with my family was really nice.

What was your biggest mistake during the year?

Nail polish: I don't think I've done some polish mistake. I've been a bit bummed not been able to buy all polishes I wanted, like some limited edition, but that wasn't by mistake so.

Personal: Trusting and believing in the wrong people, that can be painful.

What was your best purchase during 2014?

Nail polish: Well, as I mentioned the Russian swap wasn't bad, even though that was swapped, and not bought in that way.. ;) But considering shopping hauls I found this one, where I bought my previous lemming Alanna Rene - Reptar amongst other.

Personal: As usual I haven't bought much, nothing expensive at least, and less than usual years. On top of my mind I've bought a rather cool fake leather jacket for 40 euros. Oh just remember, I did buy a camera! xD

What did you spend the most money on?

Probably food and rent. And then nail polish.

What made you happy 2014?

Nail polish: Old and new blog followers, also instagram followers and pinterest followers, so basically all you people commenting and reading my blog. Thank you! <3

Personal: My ability to fight, and not giving up even when it's hard.

Did you feel better or worse during 2014?

To be honest 2014 was a shitty year in general, with some happy peaks though.

Is there anything you wish you would have spent more time doing?

Nail polish: Maybe blogging, during this summer I just didn't have the time due to my summer jobs.

Personal: I've stopped regretting stuff like that. I always do the best I can, given the circumstances and my abilities of that time.

Did you get in love?

Nail polish: Yea, I'm still VERY found of matte glitter combos, and also matte texture polishes.

Personal: Still the same boyfriend. <3

What was the best television program?

Quite unpredictable but seriously, I just love Top Gear.

Do you hate someone you didn't hate before?

No, still hating the same people as much as before. Yes, I'm a hater.

Did you wish for something and got it?

Nail polish: Didn't get any of the polishes I wished for, but I got a surprise storage box from my brother which I'll put my nail art stuff in! Just perfect!

Personal: Yea, got awesome Christmas gifts.

Did you wish for something and didn't get it?

Nail polish: Yea, on my Christmas list was "anything from Smitten Polish site, but these are on top; (figgy pudding, not your mamas easter grass, electric lime, nuclear sunshine, seasonal lattes, fire burn)"..

Personal:Yea, wanted a decent job last year, still do.

Which where the best people you met during 2014?

Nail polish:  Hello there Dance Legend, El Corazon, Golden Rose, Jordana, Alanna Renee and P2..lots of new brands during 2014..to many to mention all.

Personal: Haven't met any new people really, no one that memorable irl.

How would you describe your style and style of clothing?

Nail polish: Still just everything on my nails, any colors and any patterns. One could say however that I've increased the amount of red+black and therefore also red in general. My amount of red polishes has increased during 2014.

Personal: Still into darker clothing, it's so convenient, fits any occasion and any accessories and especially any nail polish/nail art. I never wear pastel clothing, that literally doesn't excist in my wardrobe, white and colors works during summer though.

What made you feel good this year?

Nail polish. And awesome people commenting my blog, your support is awesome and can turn any day to a happy one.

What/who did you miss this year?

Nail polish: Not something I can think about.. the ones I didn't buy? XD

Personal: I missed my parents and brother a bit since they live a long way from where I live. Also some friends living far away too.

Which month was the best this year?

I'm a summer person, and this summer was the hottest ever..so it could have been the best ever, BUT I just had to work on a shitty job all summer. Missed the best summer ever.

Is there anything you could have done better?

Nope, learning by doing. As I said before, done regretting stuff, more of future-approach-thinking.

How will 2015 differ from 2014?

Nail polish: Less polishes I assume due to the fact that I probably can't afford it. Maybe more time to make nail art if I'm unemployed. Maybe less nail art if I get depressed of not getting a job. We'll see. LOL, the same as 2012/2013. ;)

Personal: I hope a lot of things will differ, like everything in a positive direction. Let's hope for that:)

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Winter Nail Art Challenge - Are you joining??? ;)

Helena at Lackycorner has been kind enough to host a nail art challenge in December. And of course I wanted to join, I love nail art challenges! And of course it would be funnier if you joined too! ;) And if you aren't joining, heads up for a lot of winter/christmas nail art in december. ;)

The rules are very simple.
- Any nail art is allowed, and everyone can make their own free interpretation of the themes.
- You can join all days or just one day or as many of the days you want.
- You can join through your blog, instagram, pinterest and/or facebook.

For more info you can check out Helenas own post [HERE]. If you have a facebook account you can join the challenge group page to get all info there (and also to be social with the rest of us;)) and if you don't you can simply email Helena to get more picture sizes (like for IG) and to get inlinkz codes which is available for everyone.

There is 11 days before it starts so if you want you can start preparing, thinking what to do etc now already. :P

So, are you joining??? Tell me in the comments below. :)

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Gelic nail art on instagram!

Yea, it has finally happened, I've got an official instagram account for the blog.

@gelicnailart

I'll fill it up along with my usual blog routine, so it wont stay empty for long. :)

You can also see it in the side bar to the right, below archive and all the follow stuff. Available at Snapwidget.

I'd also like to mention that my internet connection here in Germany basically sucks atm so I have no wifi to my phone so all posting etc is through my laptop through Gramblr. So if I answer really slow at IG or not at all it's because I don't get tagged, because you only get tagged on the phone.. But that hopefully will get better in the future.

So... Please follow and I'll follow you back :)

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Fun blog facts of 2013

Previously I've showed you what I thought was my best nail art and I figured that I'd tell you some fun (?) facts which blogger statistics have showed. And that is what YOU readers probably have thought was my best things (both 2012-2013) considering the amount of page views;

On top we see the unthreatened A clock work orange nail art followed by the Hoopoe bird nail art and then on third place my White spider nail art, which also happens to be the only nail art from 2012. I guess that means that I've probably improved a lot during 2013.

1. A Clock Work Orange nail art (2013)

2. Hoopoe Bird nail art for Israel (2013)

3. Halloween White Spider nail art in pink and black (2012)

4. Ballon Funky French/ Ballon nail art (2013)

5. Purple converse shoe nail art (2013)

6. Dandelion nail art (2013)

7. Pink pig nail art (2013)

8. Cats in love nail art (2013)

9. Rhinestone flower nail art (2013)

So, what do you think, do you agree with the public? ;)

Other fun facts are page views divided in countries here from when I started blogging. The countries being on top visiting my blog are from;

1. Sweden
2. United States
3. Russia
4. Germany
5. Great Britain
6. France
7. The Netherlands
8. Canada
9. India
10. Poland

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Update; personal

Hi, I'm sorry for not being able to do any blog posts, answer comments etc. Here you'll see the reasons;

As I mentioned before I had a lot of things to do with my part time job and 75% studies (exams and deadlines coming up) and my bf's birthday. But then I was offered an additional part time job too..and my schedule exploded.. So I'll probably wont have time to check in here until Monday. It sucks but I can't afford the luxury of free time this weekend.

Hope to see you soon though. I'll be back. Cross your fingers that I'll be able to be super efficient and everything will go according to plan. :)

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