Instant Pick-Me-Up

Okay, so I decided to go ahead and do a quick post about my new love-- nail polish! I am not working or in school right now (LONG story) so I don't really have to look... well, presentable very often which can wear on the old self esteem. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. So, when I need a pick me up I look to my nail care bag. I pick out a funky color, since it is summer! Then comes the tough stuff... Scrub a dub dub the old polish away with a cotton round. (Toilet paper, tissue or paper towels tend to break, leave behind residue and become a disastrous mess so I only suggest using in major emergencies.) At this point, I usually clip my nails, rather short (its much more chic) and file the ends to a smooth squircle. Maybe I just made up that word, but you get the idea. The nail polish remover should soften the cuticles but if you take a while cleaning up the nail and the cuticles have dried just soak them in warm soapy water for a few minutes and they'll be much easier to work with. Next find a good cuticle pusher. I recommend a metal Revlon pusher which should be quite easy to find. Scored mine at Walmart. Very carefully push back the cuticle overgrowth that makes a home on your nails. This will make for a much smoother surface and also make your nails look longer. If you do this on a regular basis going to the salon won't be a necessity. After pushing back the cuticle use a cuticle clipper/nipper-- whatever you want to call it-- or as I do, a sharp pair of nail clippers and trim the excess. But BE CAREFUL! It is easy to cut too short and cause bleeding. Once you have done this use a buffer to smooth the nail. Only run over the nail a few times, they will become thin if you over-do this. This should remove any ripples and make for a nice "canvas" to paint on. I am not a big fan of waiting on nails to dry so I try to use a good polish that covers well, which will make for fewer coats, and has a good shine once dried so a top coat is not necessary. I am currently using Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear. Give the nails 2 good coats and then, ugh... The hard part... Pray for patience. But, Xtreme Wear dries in about 15 minutes, which from my experience is not bad at all. My nails grow quickly and since I have some time on my hands, no pun intended, I am able to repeat this process within 10 to 14 days. The nails chip very little so 2 weeks is possible with this particular polish. Okay, so I hope you girls have learned something! Good luck and remember to be patient when waiting on them to dry. Its totally worth it and you'll feel a little more glamorous at work, out at night or even in jammies!

Happy Blogging,
Hannah