My Favorite Nail Products

One of my favorite non-nail blogs to read is Kelly's Korner. Kelly does a series called "Show Us Your Life" and today's topic is "Show Us Your Favorite Beauty Products".

I thought I'd join in today and blog about my about 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 bit (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.

2. 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.

3. NYC Grand Central Station. This is my new HG topcoat... it works just as well as the pricy Seche Vite, but it's only $2! You know I love a bargain.

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.

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.

Now, if you are trying to remove a glitterbomb polish, that's another issue, and you'll need to visit this post to see the trick for that.

Thanks for visiting my nail blog!

Off and on and off again ...

I am getting to be a pro at removing acrylic nails, fo' sho'! I got a new job a few months back and was bummed that my natural nails (that I had kept up beautifully for 4 months) weren't holding up to some of my job duties. Ripping and tearing and splitting ... so frustrating and painful when they would peel from below the fingertip line. Bandaids weren't cutting it to protect them from further damage, so I put the solar nails back on.

And now they are off again.

I missed being able to paint my nails each week and the cost for upkeep was getting ridiculous (especially when the acrylic wasn't lasting as long as it should have).
So here is my quick tutorial to help you remove the acrylic without damaging your natural nails to much further:

You will need the following supplies (I purchased these at a local beauty supply store that is open to the public, costing a total of $21 for everything) ... nail clippers, 100% Acetone Remover, multiple nail file blocks in various levels of coarseness, cuticle oil, and a ridge filler (preferably one that also strengthens)

• Cut off any remaining tips and shorten nails to desired length with nail clippers.


• With a very coarse nail block (I used a medium), sand over the tops of your nails to remove any sealants or top coats.


• Soak your nails for about a minute in a bowl of 100% Acetone.

• The first layer of acrylic will start to get gummy ... scrape this layer off (I used my thumb nails to do this - you could also use a wood cuticle stick)


• Soak again and repeat for several more layers.


• Here's how I keep my nails from being absolutely ruined ... leave a thin layer of acrylic on your nails!!


• Take your coarse file block and sand over the tops of your nails to smooth ... then use your finer sanding block ... then your finest block to buff your nails to a naturally smooth surface.


• Your cuticles and fingertips will be very dry from the acetone treatment. Apply your cuticle oil and massage into skin. Push back cuticles at this time if needed.


• Wash your hands with soap and warm water, cleaning your nail surfaces thoroughly.


• Buff nails again if needed and be sure you don't have any snags.


• Apply one to two coats of the ridge filler as your base, and paint nails with desired color. Ridge fillers tend to be a natural color, so you can even get away with using just the filler and a top coat for shine.
  

This process took me about 20 minutes (without painting a color). Each time I give myself a manicure, I will continue to buff off the remaining acrylic until it is gone. This keeps a protective (but very thin) layer of strength over my nails until they have had time to strengthen on their own.