Unsung Heroes: Sally Hansen Natural Shine

Unsung Heroes is a place to discuss products that may miss out on glamorous promotions, but deliver on their promises.





We've all been there: No chance to get to the manicurist, yet a swipe of remover is leaving the nails dull and drab. You've got minutes to get to your appointment/interview/wedding and the last thing you need is ragged hands. What miracle, save a 10 minute buffing and oil, will do the trick?

Sally Hansen Natural Shine Instant Nail Finish

This product brushes on like any polish, but lacks the heavy and super shiny finish of a top coat. It is available in clear and light tint. It dries almost instantly to a smooth, soft shine, so even if neglect is not your excuse, you can wear a very natural look with little effort. It may even work for the metrosexual who likes to keep his digits well groomed.

Sally Hansen Natural Shine Instant Nail Finish claims to be free of "toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde" (if you read the print it is actually "added" formaldehyde), and shows the company is keeping up with the times and avoiding known toxins. It wears off evenly, avoiding the chipped look even clear topcoat can cause. It does require nail polish remover for complete removal.

I discovered this gem at Walgreens, and the convenience and ease of use is a bargain under $5. You'll never worry about your nails again. Go forth and go natural!

Have you tried this product? Let me know your experience in the comments. Photos welcome.

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2009 - we've been waiting for you.

Right now, enjoy a little Green Bay Beauty to nurse the hangover:

Solessence mentioned in 12 Days of Beauty Gift Guide

Lianne Farbes, aka the acclaimed theMakeUpGirl beauty blog, recommended Solessence Shea lotion, saying it was "FABULOUS", "Ultra Moisturizing" and "Natural" as part of her 12 Days of Beauty Christmas Guide. Thanks Lianne!

2008 Holiday - Green Beauty

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Response to WTMJ story on Milwaukee Fashion Week:

http://milwaukeefashionweek.blogspot.com

On a Break

We are on a brief hiatus from updating, but will return shortly. Thanks for checking in!

Happy Halloween (What's the Password)

@Jennaddenda teaches the Incredible Hulk the etiquette of candy hoarding.

Feelin' the Love Fridays

"I strayed and tried another scrub, but seriously, yours is the best I have ever used!"

~ Milwaukee, WI

"Subjected to alternate lotion in the interim. Now freaked out since learning contents contained MANY toxic chemicals. Look forward to your beautiful (safe!) lotion again. Happy day! :)"

~ New York, New York

You have some very lovely products!

~ Missouri

Dancing for the Stars...and Stripes

One way to avoid hanging chads...

Selling Snake Oil in the Year of the Rat

2008 is the year for the animal kingdom and beauty. Working dogs are so passe. This time around we see the rise of the fish pedicure, and now the snake massage.

Located in Israel, Barak's Snake Spa features a variety of the cold-blooded creatures, including Corn and King snake. Using their winding ways across belly, face and limbs, the snakes "knead" out tension - which may or may not have been created by the treatment itself.

It actually looks intriguing, especially when you see the little guys in action.


If you don't like doing it reptile style, Barak also offers the pitter-patter of rat & mice on the soles of feet. Wondering if one treatment feeds off of the other, if you get my drift...

Basses Corn Maize: Live Aerial Preview Not Included

Every year for Halloween, Basse's throws some major festivities including pony & hay rides, farmer goodies, kids games and what is considered the best corn maize in Wisconsin. This year it is Thomas the Train (er, Tommy). All of this fun doesn't come cheap though - everything is ala carte, and each experience runs about $6 per person. My question is, how do we know the maize is really a train layout and not the result of some tractor sent on autopilot gone wild? Go forth and get lost.

Time for an intervention?

Way OT here, but on a walk today along the river/creek, we passed by the overflow, sewage, whatever this offshoot thing is.



Now, this probably happens every year, but it was the first year I noticed. My son and I peered over the edge to spy frogs we had seen in the past. The water level is very, very low, but was teeming with life. The waters rippled and splashed anytime we got close. Upon closer inspection, we could see groups of mouths breathing at the surface of the brackish water. Not a frog to be found, but lots of fish. All different kinds.

Live Calico types with whiskers (catfish?)





















Less fortunates (two total)
These were actually a good 6" long or so. Hard to tell if the same as the dark grey ones in water


And then a group that is really hard to discern due to the dark waters. If you've got a bead on the types of fish these might be, would love to hear your guesses.

The river is a bit fast moving at the moment. Even the lone female mallard was having a hard time with the current. Would it do any good to scoop these guys up? Pray for rain? Leave them to fate? What say you to this?

Chances are...

We've been excited to have a few customers from the Wieden + Kennedy firm, which creates amazing ads. This one is no exception. I think everyone likes to reflect on life paths, how/when they intersect with others. Just a cool piece.

Thanks to badbanana for the original post.

Blog Action Day - Poverty - Thembalethu

The Hummingbird Project was started to help support groups in moving beyond surviving, to thriving. The main focus has been to raise monies for Thembalethu Welfare Society, a registered non-profit in Harding-Natal, South Africa. When we first came to the location, during apartheid, children were living in the forests, eating feces. The basics of having a roof over their head have lead to children growing up nourished, protected, and guided to becoming productive members of society.

Thembalethu is currently in need of hiring a person to head up the organization for minimum 3 years. There is the capability of a running brick making factory on site for revenue, along with the farm vegetables. I would love to hear from people with experience in hydroponics, as there is a river running through the property. Read more here about an inspiring Zulu couple.

Money, shoes, and school uniforms are needed. Of course, if you are interested in relocating to this beautiful, remote spot, and have the skills to run an orphanage/school/farm...this could be the position for you.


This 'hill' contains 40,000 bricks made from the local soil. It happens to be prime brickmaking mud. The bricks are fashioned in this circular, beehive style, and a fire is lit in the center. Mud is caked to the outside to retain heat. After two weeks, the fire has cured the mud, and the pyre is dissssembled. The bricks closest to the center come out blue/black and are very, very hard. These are used for exteriors. A working factory is laid out but not fully functional. This could be a source of revenue for the home.


Back in the day - separate bathrooms, phone booths, sidewalks...


A Xhosa child 'waxes' the floor with cow dung.


Keep South Africa Tidy!


The producers of said wax buildup.

Glad I held off on the iphone.

Wanna see what I got?

Just because

An Experiment in Purse sizes

Recently you gave advice to go for the big purse look. Here it goes, be kind:

I am having trouble getting over the fact that it looks like an oversized coin purse. I don't know why I didn't notice that before. It is a Big Buddah, and I can basically carry a laptop if it was more reinforced.


Here is my favorite size, and purse, of all time: Elliott Lucca


So, big purse veterans...what do you think? What are some of your favs?

Vogue, yuli style

MFW: Gilles Montezin to design for Kleinfeld

Kleinfeld Bridal, featured on TLC reality series "Say Yes To The Dress", has selected three designs from couture designer Gilles Montezin in their new lineup for the discerning bride-to-be.

Joining such notables as Monique Lhuillier and Reem Acra, Montezin is having a banner year, with creations in movies "Sex and the City" and upcoming "Confessions of a Shopaholic". As he is no virgin to screen time, we hope TLC will provide a little Montezin action as well!

Feelin' the Love Friday (customer raves)

"The product is just flying off the shelves, we can hardly keep up. We've got to get an order in!"
~ Well Spa

"Started the day off feeling amazing with @solessence. Everyone needs to buy these products. I am as soft as a new born baby. Thx @solessence 12:23 PM July 25, 2008 from web "

"Here I am ordering your lotion again, I just had to get my fix. Thanks for the amazing products."

"that body scrub is AMAZING!!!!! (I left a review on onmilwaukee and I will be buying some for my sisters too)
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!"


A huge thanks back...you make it all worthwhile.

Politics. Bedfellows. You know the drill.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die