Dashing Diva had a booth that stood out to me at ISSE2013. With tons of hot pink (my favorite color) shelves packed with products, and six nail techs available for demos, it was easy to stay a while. The team was kind enough to walk me through their product line and let me try four of their newest products.

Metallic Nails in Cat Fight was applied to my pinkie. It was my first time wearing a nail enhancement and it actually didn’t feel fake at all. It was quick for the tech to apply with Tailor Bond. She then cut it down to match the length of my other nails. I was worried the nail would fall off somewhere, but it never did. It lasted nine days and was so easy to wear, I forgot I had it on.

The Virtual French was probably my favorite. With just a smidge of Tailor Bond, a wide white French tip and a thin pink tip were layered on the nail. It was definitely the fastest French manicure I have ever received. Just glue and snap, and clients are good to go. You can also get tips in black to create a cool black and white look.

My middle finger donned FX Bling, a line of their DesignFX appliqués. With so many great patterns to choose from, it was not easy, but I settled on Expensive Taste, which is nude-colored with rhinestone-looking dots on top. I’ve worn other appliqués/wraps and they usually start to come off my nails pretty quickly. However, these didn’t even budge. They went on smoothly and were cured for long-lasting wear.

The Glitterati Collection from Dashing Diva features 12 fashionable styles that sure do shimmer. They can be applied to cover the entire finger or flipped to be used just as a French tip. The gunmetal Diamond Dust made for the coolest French Tip that didn’t chip. The Gelife coat over it made the nail look clear and glassy. A layer of adhesive protects the nail on the ColorFX, so clients needn’t worry about damage upon removal. Cuticle oil, non-acetone remover, and a cuticle stick are all that’s required for taking the designs off. For a demo on DesignFX removal, check out this video from ISSE2013 on NAILStv.

Overall, I loved the funky and easy-to-apply accents on each finger. These products are great for clients who want nail art but don’t have a lot of time to sit. Had I not had another manicure, I have no doubt these would have stayed on for the full two weeks or maybe even longer. For more design inspiration, check out this video from the show featuring checkerboard nail art.

—Beth