If you know anything about me you know I have a crazy nail polish collection. Its a crazy addiction that has haunted me since childhood. I think the polish hoarding gene has been passed down to my daughter. This makes its even more fun to buy more paint!
The plus side to buying my own polish is that:
1) It costs pennies to do my manis.
2) I can change my polish WHENEVER I WANT. Meaning random polish changes in the middle of the week :)
3) Its cheap!
4) I dont have to leave my house!
With that said, I though it would be cool to share some of my fave ways to make my at home manicures last.
1) Trim and file nails FIRST! Before removing old polish and before wetting nails go ahead and trim nails and file your nails into the shape you desire. Filing and trimming when wet will tear your nails. (Nobody wants that)
2) Remove your cuticles. This is the easiest step that Ive just recently started doing and who knew it would make such a big difference! I dont used the cutting tool since im too much of a klutz and my remove my entire finger.
Sally Hansens Instant Cuticle Remover is the best ive tried! It literally takes 15 seconds to work. This step provides a pretty base. Kinda like a new picture frame :)
3) Always start with clean nails. Be sure after washing, drying and removing your cuticles swipe your nails with a bit of polish remover or rubbing alcohol to begin your mani with completely clean nails. This helps the polish to adhere better by removing any oils that may be on your nails!
4) ALWAYS use a base coat. This protects your nails from the polish and the polish from the natural oils your body creates.
5) Two Coats of Color. When I polish my nails I usually suck at the first coat. Its streaky or uneven. No worries! The second coat makes it all better. Also drag the polish brush across the tips of your nails. This gives the perfect stopping point to your polish.
6) Top Coat. This step not only hides the mistakes from step 5 but it helps keep the polish in place.
Voila! Pretty Nails!
Do you have any Tip tips to share?