A Lasting Home Mani

A Lasting Home Mani

Before learning about nail technology I used to get so frustrated when I would paint my nails just to have the polish chipping off the next day. Since I have started appling the following simple techniques I have found my at home manicures last almost three times as long! Here are some tips and tricks to making the most of your own at home manis.

Tips: 

• Take off all of your old nail polish first, then try using a nice hand exfoliator. I personally like Juleps Glycolic Hand Scrub, found here at julep.com. This helps clean your hands of debris, as well as makes them feel soft and smooth. 
• When painting your nails, always cap the ends! This means that when applying base, color, and top coat you run the brush along the tip of your fingernail. This seals the polish making it harder for moisture and general wear and tear to chip away at your polish. 
• Using a specific brand of nail polish? Always try pairing it with the same brand's base and top coat. For example, if you are using a lovely Essie nail polish, make sure you use an Essie base and top coat. These products are made to be compatible with one another and thus makes your selected polish last. 

Steps to a great at home manicure:

After you have exfoliated or cut or filed your nails, try these steps to help improve how long your manicure lasts. 

• Clean your fingernails with a nail cleanser. Zoya has a great (although pungent) nail cleanser that works fantastically! You can find it here zoya.com or at your local Zoya dealer or at an Ulta store near you. 

• Apply a base coat. It doesn't have to be thick - just enough to show a nice sheen. Try not to get any on your nails surrounding skin. Also dont forget to cap the ends! The base coat should only need  moment to dry. 
• Paint on your first layer of color. But here's the trick! Put it on THINLY. Your first coat of color should be thin and look a bit like a three year old did it for you. Meaning that it shouldn't be perfect. Still though, try to keep it off of your skin. This will help your overall nail drying time too! Remember to cap the ends! Give yourself a few moments of drying time before adding your second coat of color. 
• Next, paint on your second coat of color. Apply this coat thicker and more evenly than your first, but don't over do it. The magic of the top coat is that it helps give your color the finishing touch; so if your second coat of color isn't great, don't fret! Allow your second coat of color a few moments of drying time. 
• Finally, add your top coat. Apply this coat evenly across your finger nail, and don't forget to cap the end! Allow a good amount of time for your nails to  dry overall.
• Cant wait for your nails to dry? Try some quick dry drops! I love Julep's Ta Da! Quick Dry Drops; the scent is to die for! Rather get some drops from the store? Grab a bottle of Zoya's Fast Drops at a nearby Zoya dealer or Ulta store. 

I hope these tips help you and your nails stay Radiant! Let me know if you have any extra success! I'd love to hear about it Use a great purple color for your at home manicure? Show it off! I'd love to see your color and post it on the page for others to envy!

Be Radiant!

Amanda