Mani Prep

Hi Bloggers!


This post is going to be about my pre-mani routine, what I do to my nails and what products I use on them before I paint them. It's rather self explanatory for the most part.


After I take off my polish, I either will trim my nails or file them if my nails need shorted or reshaped. After that I will buff them so my nails don't have any ridges, once again, only if needed. After that I will wash and dry my hands to get any nail polish remover or dusty nail particles from filing and buffing off.


Once my nails are reshaped, I put a few products on them. First product is the Sally Hansen Grow Nails Now! which I talked about in my previous post. After that has dried I put on either ORLY's Nail Defense or Sephora by OPI's strengthener. I switch between these products but both of them do the same job, they are meant to help strengthen your nails. The last product I use before my actual nail polish is Nail Life Gripper. This product is a basecoat that helps the nail polish grip to your nail and stay on better and longer.

 

I realize for some people this might be overkill, but it's what I do and it helps my nails stay healthier and my nail polish stay on longer. After the Nail Life Gripper dries it's time to paint your nails with a lovely color and then use a good clear top coat and you're good to go! I found a diagram online that shows the basics of applying your nailpolish but I couldn't find the original source (if anyone happens to know the source, or if you are the source, please let me know and credit will be given!). You might think this is dumb, but I'm going to post it anyway because it could help someone out! 

Edit: This helpful diagram is from http://www.lacquerized.com/2010/05/how-to-how-i-paint-my-nails.html 

 

The text is a little small so here is what it says: 

1. Start off with a clean nail, make sure the surface is nail polish and oil free. 

2. Apply your base coat or ridge filler. This prevents staining and chipping. Let it dry.

3. Place a drop of polish in the center of the nail, a bit above the cuticle. 

4. Carefully push the drop towards the cuticle, leaving just a small gap. 

5. Now move your brush upwards making a straight line till the end of the nail. 

6. Go back to the base of the nail and swipe the polish along the curve of the nail. 

7. Keep dragging until the whole side of the nail is covered. 

8. Repeat step 6, but do this on the other side of the nail. 

9. Repeat step 7, but do this on the other side of the nail. 

10. If necessary apply a 2nd or 3rd coat. Finish with a (quick drying) top coat. 

Hope this was helpful and Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!! 

Lindsey