Sally Hansen • Insta-Dri in Lightening • Polishes

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*TOP REVIEWER* italiana800 on 5/6/2013 10:36:00 PM more reviews by italiana800

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is a pretty, golden-yellow color, BUT....this is one of the absolute WORST nail polishes in general, (packaging & formula), that I've ever used. I usually have good luck with Sally Hansen products, but this one was a complete fail. I really expected more from this brand because I consider Sally Hansen products to be one of the best drugstore nail polish brands. This is a really thick & gloopy nail polish, but that's honestly not what bothered me about this nail polish. The MOST irritating thing about this is the packaging!! The brush this comes with is horrible! I think the brush is the reason why this goes on so thick & gloopy. The brush is way too wide, & not precise enough. By no means am I a professional nail polisher, (I'm usually not so great at polishing my nails), but this brush definitely made it even more apparent. I ended up just throwing this away. I obviously, will never buy this again....& I don't recommend it. My favorite yellow is called "Lemonade" by Orly. It is more of a pastel yellow, rather than golden (like this one), but I like it better & the formula is a lot better.

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KellynElise on 4/26/2013 12:10:00 PM more reviews by KellynElise

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I know most reviewers of this product don't really like it because it's a pretty thick formula. I agree that it's thick, but in my opinion it's better to have a thick yellow polish than a thin and streaky one. The latter formula is what drugstore yellows usually have. Lightening is a bright, slightly golden yellow that is opaque on me in two coats. I really prefer pastel yellows, but I do like this one pretty well. It does take a little bit of special attention to get a nice look with this polish--like I said, it's thick, and it also has a flat, wide brush. For the price, though, I think it's an okay polish. If it was more expensive, though, I wouldn't be able to overlook the less-than-perfect formula. If you want a golden-yellow for summer, maybe try this one out.

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edmineralsgirl on 4/5/2013 9:17:00 PM more reviews by edmineralsgirl

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the perfect yellow polish I was looking for. So great for spring! It is vibrant! Applies smooth and dries fast. I'm surprised to read that another reviewer said it's thick...I actually found i to be too runny. Nevertheless, it's a keeper.

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Soiuxee on 7/10/2012 2:22:00 PM more reviews by Soiuxee

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I wasn't expecting to like this polish as much as I did. It's a vibrant yellow cream and the application was really nice. It's thick but applies well. Opaque in one coat! Wore well too.

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*TOP REVIEWER* alexanna7 on 5/10/2012 1:20:00 PM more reviews by alexanna7

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Violet    

Lightening is a cream bright yellow! Verry nice color for summer! I love the big brush,it takes less time to apply! I remove a little bit of the product,then i do a layer in the middle. It goes smooth and easy! It last long with revlon top coat! I put sometimes,some gold shimmers over it! Love it!

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Kavila1 on 5/2/2012 1:35:00 AM more reviews by Kavila1

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Unlike other reviewers I don't mind the flat brush. My problem with polish was I felt it started to chip just after a few hours. I love the color tho. Looks good in the sumer :D

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Gothkenny on 7/18/2011 1:11:00 AM more reviews by Gothkenny

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

While I adore the color it came in, and I REALLY wanted to like it, I couldn't. It didn't go on the nail well, and it is almost impossible to put on the nail with the strange brush that it as. I thought I would enjoy using the triangular shaped brush as I haven't ever seen it used before, I HATED it. It applies way too much product, and it doesn't work well with short nails because it spills over the sides, no matter how carefully you apply it. It takes FOREVER to dry, as opposed to its name, and after it dried, it took a very long time to get it to not get any imprints left in it. You have to wait hours to touch anything if you plan on using this nail polishes. The only thing it's good for is maybe Konad stamping.

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NinaSushi1 on 7/12/2011 12:02:00 AM more reviews by NinaSushi1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This is my only yellow nail polish hat I own and I do use it (it's actually only half full!) but because of that reason that it is my only one and I want to make good use of my money, however this brush sucks :( and is frayed and leaves streaks, I normal do two coats and that fixes it up. I don't normal do just plain yellow nails so I use it with a Konad manicure, a unique top coat, such as a crackle, pearl, glitter, etc or a design (only reason I own a yellow). As for the color it actually a decent yellow, it's flat no shimmer, no green, or pastel, no goldish color, just plain happy yellow. It's not that terrible it's just the brush. I have 2 more of the fast dri nail polish from Sally Hansen from their spring line and the brushes have seemed to improved slightly.

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calyx_girl on 7/5/2011 11:52:00 PM more reviews by calyx_girl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I love Sally Hansen products, but I have a real love/hate relationship with them. They're either awesome (Salon Effects) or awful (Polish Remover Pen).
I wanted to try a summery yellow that would compliment my pale, NW20 skin. This polish is thick and gluggy and streaks when you put it on. It takes at least two coats to get decent coverage. Even the steadiest hand can't make this polish look good on the nails. The odd shape of the bottle, paired with the flat brush and glue-y consistency of the polish makes this product a loser. Will definitely not repurchase.

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Spikesmom110 on 6/18/2011 7:20:00 PM more reviews by Spikesmom110

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

It took me a long time to find a yellow polish that I thought would flatter me. This was it! I have tried 3 times to paint my nails with it today and I can't get it to go on smoothly. I've never given up on a manicure before. Terrible!!!

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katzy619 on 5/24/2011 11:44:00 AM more reviews by katzy619

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Terrible! I really wanted to like this nail polish. It sounds great doesn't it? A quick drying nail polish in such fun summer colors?

Don't waste your time. The formula is thick. Like previous reviews have stated, it takes 2 coats because it's streaky on the nails. As it dries, it starts to bubble. After it is completely dried, it peels off like kid's nail polish.

I love the color, but what good is it if it doesn't last for more than an hour?

Try their Extreme Wear line. Those polishes hold up much better.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Peri on 5/18/2011 2:35:00 PM more reviews by Peri

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I REALLY wanted to love this! And while I totally adore the color, the packaging and formula are simply dreadful.

The flat brush is horrid — it's impossible to get the corners of your nails. What the hell is the point of it?? I'm really confused. Also, the formula is thick and bubbly and even after two coats, my nails looked like a serious MESS. Removed it promptly. =

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brooksy88 on 5/9/2011 6:42:00 PM more reviews by brooksy88

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Curly   Eyes: Green    

This is a nice, bright, traditional yellow! I love the colour selection in the Insta-Dri line. I like the formula as well; the polish goes on quite nicely in two coats.
I don't love this brush. It has a very wide and sort of tapered brush, which isn't a big deal, but I don't love it because I find I have less control - especially on my super tiny nail beds!
The price for this is pretty good, at about $4.99CAD at Walmart, I believe.
My only problem other than the not loving the brush, is this polish really doesn't hold up as well over time as some of my other nail colours. I've used this colour a lot, and the leftover polish just kind of dries and sticks to the sides of the bottle.
Overall, this colour has good application, it's pretty and bright, and fairly inexpensive. I would recommend giving this one a shot.

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TianXiaoMao on 5/8/2011 12:16:00 PM more reviews by TianXiaoMao

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Yes, what everyone else says. The brush is slightly awkward but I don't mind. The formula is kind of thick and bubbly. But the color is so unexpected on my nails, and so unique, I don't regret trying it. I will probably find a use for this as an accent in nail art in the future. It's fun for toes in the summer too.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Chester99 on 3/19/2011 6:07:00 PM more reviews by Chester99

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I love this nail polish!


First off, the brush is... interesting! The brush handle is quite long and stiff whereas the actual brush is flat, tapered and thickly bundled. It takes some time getting used to it but it's manageable.

The bottle itselt is unsual as well since it's triangular, not round or sqaure like I was used to. Nothing that bugs me but I thought I'd mention it.


Now, the polish itself is a creamy, richly pigmented yellow. Despite the pigmententation it runs off the brush very easily. But this also helps the polish to spread nicely on the nail. If you manage to get used to the brush and you're a bit careful, each coat applies with just one stroke. It is pigmented enough to be a one-coater but I do two, just to be sure.


Overall, I like Lightening for the taxi yellow color and the easy application. And despite being a PPP I like it on me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* PurpleCupcake87 on 3/7/2011 6:48:00 AM more reviews by PurpleCupcake87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This reminds me of the bright caution tape. I've never worn yellow nail Polish before but I went ahead and picked this up the other day. The first coat is a bit streaky but then the second coat fixed that and everything was good. I cant believe that im able to pull this shade off very different then what I'm used to getting.

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sierray on 1/28/2011 1:49:00 AM more reviews by sierray

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Love this colour!

The fast dry is nice when you don't have a lot of time and don't have time to do a full mani.

It does take two coats, as the first coat is normally a bit streaky.

So gorgeous and fun! I wear this almost all through the summer. At a great price too! I find it goes on sale frequently at Shoppers Drug Mart.

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*TOP REVIEWER* GimpyPoop on 7/14/2010 10:25:00 AM more reviews by GimpyPoop

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

So thanks to my constantly Nailpolish Board-lurking, I've developed a pestering nailpolish addiction. I've mostly kept it tethered as I certainly don't need another money-sucking hobby/obsession.

I tend to stick to "natural" shades - pinks, reds, dark reds, etc. I used to be quite the colorful nail addict in high school and college and now that I'm rather, ahem, "matured," I somehow feel obligated to keep my nails prim and proper.

Nonetheless I was over at my friend's house and her little sister had a bottle of this nailpolish idly sitting around. I was immediately drawn to the striking yellow hue and the claim and verification (by my friend and her sister) that it indeed did dry "instantly" - I had to try it.

First thing's first - one coat will NOT do. Ridiculous for Saly Hansen to even suggest that. I gloped on three coats per nail to achieve the opaque color showcased in the bottle. This of course delayed instant drying time considerably, but one coat just looked awful.

The nailpolish formula is really quite thick, as expected for quick drying nailposhes. It's quite annoying and difficult to work with. Also the brush included with this nailpolish is unusually firm and un-pliable - I guess this helps accommodate the thicker formula?

Given that I applied so many coats of this thick stuff, my finished product ended up forming bubbles. Bleh.

However, I am hesitate to write off this product completely because I've received quite a few compliments on this nailpolish color. And even with three thick gnarly coats - this product dried rather quickly. As someone who ALWAYS ruins her manicures, this is completely wonderful.

I actually went out and purchased this shade a few days later because it was part of a value pack . . . would I have purchased it otherwise? Probably not. Dang you impulse purchases!!!

All in all this is a gorgeous yellow creme color - I would recommend it to anyone else looking for a yellow fix, but the formula is the pits. But I guess there is a price to pay for quick drying nailpolishes.

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zumaboo989 on 6/21/2010 3:51:00 PM more reviews by zumaboo989

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

I like this product. This is one of the best nailpolishes I've ever used oddly. After all of these reviews, I thought I would hate it. I got over the weird applicator and squeaky noise the cap makes when turned and put this polish on. It was on my nails for about two days and still hadn't chipped until I went canoeing in disgusting, germ filled water. I think this product wouldn't have chipped if a while if I hadn't gone canoeing. I love the color which is pretty true to what I saw in the bottle. I would repurchase. Awesome color.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Cherub573 on 5/8/2010 3:01:00 AM more reviews by Cherub573

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I've been craving a creme yellow nail polish for a while. I heard some good things about this brand of nail polish- the wide brush and convenience of fast drying. However, I regret purchasing this nail polish. The shade of yellow (like French's mustard) is the only thing I like about it.



First off, it does NOT give even coverage with one coat except maybe on my pinkie. I had to do two coats to get rid of any streaks. Secondly, little bubbles formed within minutes, this doesn't even happen with my Wet n' Wild polish.

I guess I'm just saying for a polish that costs the same as Hard Candy's "Splendid" (which is the same shade and a brand I already have had a great experience with), it's of much lesser quality. I should have bought the Hard Candy instead. This only looks good from far away.

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