Fashion & Beauty
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Doing your own nails - questions
I'm trying to cut back on my F&B spending, and one thing that I suppose I can cut is getting shellac done every couple of weeks. Before shellac became popular, I was getting a weekly manicure. I can't remember the last time I painted my nails, but I do remember that it was a PITA and never looked good.
Any tips on keeping nice looking nails yourself? What about easy ways to polish - like what are those stick on things that you can get at the drug store? Not the fake nails, but there is some sort of stick on nail polish that I've heard is good. Has anyone tried these? Or maybe some type of polish pen?
The thing I hate most about non-shellac is the dry time. Any recommendations for very fast drying polish?
Re: Doing your own nails - questions
I've found that practice makes perfect with your nails. The more you give yourself manicures, the easier it becomes. I prefer to keep my nails short and neatly filed. I push my cuticles back with a cuticle stick and sometimes trim them. I usually put on 2 coats of polish and then a top coat. I have cuticle oil and coconut oil that I use around my nails throughout the week and that keeps them looking nice. Get a fast-trying top coat like seche vite or poshe. That will cut down on drying time.
I like this tutorial: http://www.runningonhappiness.com/2011/10/diy-manicure.html
I've never tried the nail decals or salon effects strips so I can't speak to those. I would think it would be easier and less expensive to just learn how to paint your nails better.
Thanks to you both! I'm going to head to Ulta to get some tools, polish and also the nail polish strips to try.
One of the biggest problems I have with painting my own is getting it too thick and ending up with bubbles, or it taking forever to dry. I'll practice and see if I can get it too look good! I'll probably still do an inexpensive manicure once a month or every six weeks to help with shaping and cuticles.
When I have the time to do my nails, this is the routine that I use:
http://www.15minutebeauty.com/2007/07/my-manicure-routine.html
It lasts at least a week. I use the Out the Door that she talks about in step 4. She even gives tips for different brands of polish.
I prefer doing my own...OPI makes a quick dry top coat.'I use Essie 3 way glaze as a base, two coats of'polish, and top with the OPI. If you like french, you can even get a polish pen to do a straight line of white.
I can usually get a full week out of a job, but my nails grow very quickly too. I only pay for pedicures every couple months now.
I used to have this problem too, but I've learned that doing thinner coats gets rid of this problem (at least for me). Like another poster said, try doing a couple coats (thin coats), and be sure to let each coat dry completely (and then a little more time, just to make sure) before painting another coat.
I haven't used the quick dry top coat, but I love the OPI brand. Stay clear of cheaper brands because they can turn the nails a yucky yellow color!
I had written a post about nails last night, asking about a nailcare system called ProfessioNail. It's a gel manicure kit that comes with an LED light. The manicure supposedly lasts up to 2 weeks!
My friend tried it last weekend and her nails still look flawless. I tried it on Thursday and mine still look and feel amazing too!
I don't know if anyone else on here has used it, but wanted to throw that idea out. I think it's about $50 at CVS with a coupon. I think I'm going to buy one. I think it will save me tons of money in the long run.
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I use Orly Bonder as a base and Orly Sec N Dry as a top coat. My manicure lasts at least a week with maybe a little wear on the tips at the most. I can do the base, 2 thin coats of color and the top coat and be able to do things with my hands within 30 mins of starting my polish. I get the base and topcoat at Sally's.
Whoops...I accidentally used my AE to post.
LOL!
Dupe.
The accidental AE really makes this post. :oD
I do two thin coats of polish and call it done. My nails usually dry in 5 min. I just have to remember to not do anything for a while that will press or scrape against the nail. I'd start with the simplest routine and then add things like base coat or top coat only if you think you really need it.
oh my...ha ha
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This isn't necessarily true. All brands at all price points can stain your nails, it's more about the pigment in polish than the brand. Actually I the color that stains the WORST for me is an OPI (Suimsuit...Nailed It to be precise).
OMG. my nails were blue for WEEKS. i love love love the color on....but for the love!
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I'm very rough on my nails - most polishes won't even make it 8 hours on me without chipping. I really like the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips - they looked great for 2-3 weeks on my nails and come in lots of fun designs. They've even started coming out with seasonal designs so your nails can be themed for whatever holiday is near.
As far as traditional polishes go, I've had the best luck with ORLY. It lasts about 3-4 days on me without chipping and I can usually go about a week before it gets to where I need to change it.
As far as polishing - I use the three stroke method: http://prettymepink.com/beauty-care/nail-varnish-polish-professional-tips/ It really cuts down on the amount of accidental polish I get on my fingers.
But if I do have a few accidents, I use a stiff brush dipped in acetone to clean up.
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