We Aim To Slay

It was once said that a woman was only helpless while her nails were drying – which is why I prefer using gel polish! Here at We Aim To Slay, the goal and driving purpose is reinforcing the idea that true beauty stems from having the confidence to live authentically – and I’m my most authentic self when I have a killer manicure!

Several years ago I bid farewell to nail salon prices and began painting my nails at home. As my nail art skills (and W.A.T.S.) have grown, I decided it was time to fulfill a dream of mine; partnering with a nail polish and care brand. 

I am proud to announce that as of August 2025, I have partnered with the brand Olive & June!

I had heard of this brand prior to reaching out to their team, as two of their token products had caught my eye – the peel-off gel base polish, and the poppy, a tool used to simplify painting with your non-dominant hand. My representative, Sari, was so kind and helpful, assuring me that she would include the peel-off gel base, and “any products [she] would suggest for a DIY gel mani!”

Meet Olive & June!

Founder and CEO, Sarah Gibson Tuttle (who opened the first Olive & June salon in Beverly Hills in 2013), named the brand for her great-grandmother and grandmother, “the women who taught her the importance of having high standards and a big heart,” according to their website. At that time, they were “focused on elevating the salon experience, giving our community personalized attention and luxury service at an approachable price.”

A few years later, Gibson Tuttle decided to bring the joy of nails directly into the homes of consumers, and in 2019 “introduced the Mani System— the first consumer-focused DIY manicure system, with innovative new products, patented tools, long-lasting polish, and educational programming.” 

And they do offer several learning opportunities – The Mani Masterclass, with sessions running currently; Olive University, featuring information on all of your manicure & nail care questions; and Virtual Appointments, where you can speak 1-on-1 with a nail expert!

The Mani System

Within two short weeks I had an absolutely stunning package awaiting me, and several new products to test! And truly, when I say that the packaging is too beautiful to part with, I mean it!

I am grateful to share that my welcome package included the Gel Polish System which includes everything you need to get started:

•  Patent Pending – 5 Finger LED Gel Lamp – cures your gel mani in minutes
•  Peel Off Base Coat – effortless, acetone-free gel removal
•  Gel Polish Base Coat – creates the perfect gel base
•  Gel Polish Color – plumpy, high gloss color
•  Gel Polish Top Coat – protects and makes your mani last
•  Poppy – helps you paint neatly with your non-dominant hand
•  Mani Cuticle Pusher – gently pushes back your cuticles
•  Nail File – smooths and perfects the nail shape
•  Nail Clipper – creates your perfect nail shape
•  Nail Buffer – smooths and preps the nail plate
•  Cuticle Serum – hydrates dry cuticles and skin
•  Cuticle Remover – removes stubborn, dry cuticles
•  Clean-Up Brush – creates precise, neat polish lines
•  Acetone Remover Pot – preps nails and helps with clean up

Also included in my package were five shades of gel polish – Field Day, Petal, LHG, CDJ, and KAG – and the Olive & June Peel-Off Gel Base polish!

How To Use

The kit came with several sets of how-to-use instructions, both as a booklet and printed in the stylish box that housed the Gel Polish System! 

As of today I’ve created two manicures with my system; one set created on the peel-off base and nail art, and the other created on the regular base polish in a solid shade. Both gel polish bases provide a clean surface to work with, and I like how easily you can change up your manicure by using the peel-off base. 

When I created my manicure with the regular base, I intended to use a builder gel to reinforce a small break on the edge of my nail. But once I had cured the O&J base I realized that I may never need to use a builder gel again – not only was the break beautifully sealed and reinforced, but by bringing all three products (base, color, and top coat) down along the edge, I had strengthened my nails far more than using builder gel.

These products are extremely easy to use! Each polish bottle is formulated with a wider and rounded brush, making application a breeze – even more so when you use the poppy, making it easier than ever to paint with your non-dominant hand.

If you’ve tried painting your nails at home before, you’ll be familiar with the tedious process of prepping your nails and cuticles. That isn’t the case with Olive & June: the cuticle remover and pusher allow you to quickly prep the outer edges of your nails, and the buffing brush provides the perfect surface for your polish to sit upon. 

And speaking of cuticle care, my kit also included a cuticle serum which is formulated with cactus flower to hydrate and protect your cuticles – a pen-style product that the brand recommends apply two to three times per day. Mine now lives in my purse and joins me on all of my travels!

My unboxing video is now live across all social media platforms, and on Friday, you can see exactly how I created this lava lamp inspired manicure on the We Aim To Slay YouTube channel!

My Thoughts!

I’ve tried several brands of gel polishes and I have to say, not only are these products remarkably easy to use (like, how have I been painting my nails for nearly 30 years without a Poppy?!), and Gel Polish System comes with every tool you’ll need to successfully apply and remove your manicure!

Because I was gifted this entire kit, I was essentially doing a blind opening on the polish shades I would receive. At first I wasn’t sure if these would be the best shades for my skin tone, but after crafting this fun 90s-inspired art, I actually really like these colors and can’t wait to use them in more designs!

Like I said above, I tested out the peel-off base first and to my delight and surprise, this design had peeled off completely within a few days. This allowed me to test the regular base polish as well, and I created the perfect “clean girl aesthetic” manicure using the shade LHG!

Olive & June offers a wide range of shades in several different finishes, so I’ll definitely be adding to my polish collection!

What Do You Think?

Do you prefer to do your nails at home, or do you prefer going to a traditional nail salon? If you’re a nails-at-home person, have you tried Olive & June? Let me know in the comments below! And as always, if you’re interested in checking out some of my favorite Olive & June products, take a look at my Benable list “Nail Care & Products✨” to quickly find and purchase!

I’ll be back next week to commemorate the end of an era – Dazzle Boutique is officially closing their doors!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!