Manicure Monday – My at home manicure!
I used to go to the nail salon every three weeks to get my nails done, and every so often to get pedicures. I loved it, but it definitely gets really expensive! I would always get gel nails, but eventually switched to dip powder. I loved how they looked but wanted to start saving money for a wedding and other “big girl” things. So, I started painting my nails myself almost 2 years ago. I got them done for engagement pictures and things like that, but I even ended up doing my own nails for my wedding due to COVID. Today, I am going to share how I get a *decent* mani at home!
My favorite nail polish brand is Essie. I love their colors and formulas, and it doesn’t hurt that their packaging is very aesthetically pleasing, lol! All of the products you see today will be from Essie, unless otherwise specified. With this, you spend a little more money than your average mani up front, but the products last you forever and you “break even” basically after your second time painting them yourself 🙂
This is a very important step. Once I really started taking time to do this step, I noticed a huge difference in how long my mani lasted and how my nails looked overall. I start by first taking off any polish I have on with remover. Next, I put this softener on my cuticles. Then I will file my nails and trim them with clippers if needed. I use this filing kit from Amazon! Once I have used the file in this kit I will go and push my cuticles back. After that, I use a filing block and follow the numbers. Lastly, I wash my hands and then go back in with one of the foam blocks from the Amazon kit and get my nails a little gritty. It seems counterintuitive, but it helps the polish stay!
Next, I use an Essie base coat. This helps with brittle nails and gives your color a good base to stick to.
Next, the fun part! As I said earlier, I love Essie polish. There are so many colors. The best formula is definitely the Essie Gel Couture, but any Essie color is really great! The newer colors and the Gel Couture line have a wider brush that makes for easier application. I will usually do two coats or three thinner coats if the color is light. My all time favorite polish color is Ballet Slippers and is great for all seasons!
My favorite top coat whether I use the Gel Couture polish color or not is the Gel Couture top coat. It gives your nails that shiny salon finish! One coat is all you need.
These last step(s) are optional, but I feel like it makes it a little difference, and feels closer to a salon experience, haha. I have noticed these drying drops both make drying faster and drying more even. I always finish with a cuticle oil to hydrate my cuticles and need to try this one from Essie!
If you haven’t already, go follow me on Instagram – I have a “nails” highlight saved to my stories. Anytime I paint my nails or try a new color, I post it!