The Home Mani

I'm someone who if I can do it myself I will. It hurts me to pay for something I can so simply do myself at home. This is the number one reason for why I started doing my very own manicures at home. I have been doing this for so long [I think since 13] that I can't remember the last time I went into a nail salon to get a manicure. Not only does this save you some dinero but its also a lot more sanitary when you use your very own tools.

So what I love to do is soak my nails in warm water to soften my cuticle, I love using Essie's ejuvenate hand revitalizer, it apparently detoxifies skin. Now I don't know if that's true but it won't hurt. Once my cuticles are softened I apply the Sally Hansen instant cuticle remover, I go in with my cuticle pusher. This doesn't dissolve cuticles as it says, or at least I don't think so. So I go in with my cuticle clippers [I'm not sure what they are actually called]. After removing my cuticle I like to go in at least once or twice a month with the Sally Hansen cuticle and nail refiner. This stuff just makes your nails look so much smoother. After doing all this to my nail I then like to go in with a cuticle oil [or coconut oil] but lately I have been loving the mighty cuticle serum I received in my Julep Maven box.

Now that you know how clean up my nails, I typically like to leave them bare for a day or two because I heard its good to let your nails breath a bit. Now is this true I don't really know, but it can't hurt right? So after a couple days. I paint my nails, today I felt like putting in a little more effort and decided to do a "french" manicure. Of course I used a base because a good base is super important to ensuring your polish doesn't chip. I love Essie's all in one base coat, I really haven't found another one that I like as much. Now when I go for a french manicure I love a really pale base so I either reach for Orly's Beverly Hills Manicure French or French Manicure in Belle Du Jour. Both are perfect sheer colors, many times like today I like to layer them to get my very own shade. To get the white tip I found it easiest to use Sally Hansen's white tip pen, which I actually got in one of their french manicure kits. I think the best way to ensure you don't ruin your manicure is to get a quick dry polish or drops. I use Nutra Nail speed dry, its pretty cheap and does what it says.

What products do you use on your nails?

Have a lovely day!
xoxo Franchesca