Here's a list of my favorite nail products.
1. Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. To have a long-lasting mani, you've really got to prep your nails. Removing cuticle overgrowth is a key step. I apply this all around my cuticles, wait a minute or so (you can wait longer that it says), then use the thumbnail of my opposite hand to push back/scrape the cuticles. I typically do this twice. Find this at drug stores and mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.
2. BeautyGARDE Rocket Nail Fuel. I have been using basecoat for a while and really like it. I do feel like it keeps my nails healthy and strong.
Caveat: Some people have oily nail beds, and this causes problems with polish adhering. In that case, I recommend trying Orly Bonder. This rubberized basecoat overrides any oily residue on your nails and gives your polish something to stick to, another secret of a long-lasting mani. Find this at Sally Beauty. If you don't have a Sally nearby, Sally Hansen makes great choices for basecoats, so you could always choose one from their line.
Caveat: Some people have super dry skin and nails, and benefit from applying cuticle oil or lotion and letting it soak in before you start your mani.
Basically, basecoats are YMMV and you just need to experiment and see what works best for you.
3. Static Nails Top Coat. This is one of my favorite quick dry topcoats. They often have 20% off sales so I try to watch and stock up then. Sally Hansen offers some great top coats (like their Insta-Dri) at drug stores and mass-market retailers.
4. Poshe Cuticle Care. Keeping your cuticles neat and free of hang-nails is another secret to making your manicure last longer. This product is fabulous and I massage this into my cuticles twice a day to prevent hangnails and prevent cuticle buildup. This is very hard to find these days, but I purchase in bulk from Amazon and would be glad to share my stash with locals- I pay about $6 a tube, so let me know if you'd like one.
5. Nail Polish Remover Dip-It. I change my polish pretty often, and this little treasure makes it quick and easy. Inside this tub are plastic bristles that really help scrub the polish off. Find this at mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.
3. Static Nails Top Coat. This is one of my favorite quick dry topcoats. They often have 20% off sales so I try to watch and stock up then. Sally Hansen offers some great top coats (like their Insta-Dri) at drug stores and mass-market retailers.
4. Poshe Cuticle Care. Keeping your cuticles neat and free of hang-nails is another secret to making your manicure last longer. This product is fabulous and I massage this into my cuticles twice a day to prevent hangnails and prevent cuticle buildup. This is very hard to find these days, but I purchase in bulk from Amazon and would be glad to share my stash with locals- I pay about $6 a tube, so let me know if you'd like one.
5. Nail Polish Remover Dip-It. I change my polish pretty often, and this little treasure makes it quick and easy. Inside this tub are plastic bristles that really help scrub the polish off. Find this at mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.
Now, if you are trying to remove a glitterbomb polish, that's another issue, and you'll need to visit this post on my nail blog to see the trick for that.
6. Clean Up Brush. I often have friends ask how I get my polish to look so perfect, especially around the cuticles. The secret is a clean up brush dipped in acetone. I recommend the $2 ELF Concealer Brush- you can find this at Wal-Mart or Target.
7. Acetone. Pure acetone works best for clean up- I typically purchase this bottle at Walmart for $2.50.
6. Clean Up Brush. I often have friends ask how I get my polish to look so perfect, especially around the cuticles. The secret is a clean up brush dipped in acetone. I recommend the $2 ELF Concealer Brush- you can find this at Wal-Mart or Target.
7. Acetone. Pure acetone works best for clean up- I typically purchase this bottle at Walmart for $2.50.
.jpeg)
