Times are tough these days, gals: Those of us who identify as blonde, frequent a dip manicure and thrive in lash extensions are entering uncharted territory. And while I can’t recommend taking a bottle to your blonde or know the first thing about what to do about those lashes, I can help in the manicure department.
Once you get really good at this, from start to finish this process can take as little as 10 minutes. Including drying time.
If you need to remove an SNS or gel manicure
Pour acetone into a small bowl and let your fingertips soak for 20-30 minutes. Every 5-7 minutes, use the flat end of a cuticle pusher (it looks like a tiny shovel) to gently push the dip or gel off your nail starting from the base and pushing towards the tip of your nail. Repeat until your old manicure is removed. Wash your hands thoroughly, then apply cuticle oil and moisturizing hand cream. Your fingers just sat in acetone and they’re screaming for hydration.
To start your at-home mani
Make sure your hands are washed and your nails are free from any polish. I like to make sure I have everything I need so I’m not getting up in the middle of my manicure and potentially ruining it.
You will need:
base coat/nail strengthener
I don’t soak my fingers but I do like to soften my cuticles using oil. Douse your cuticles in cuticle oil and let it set in for a minute or two. During this time, you can use a nail trimmer to trim your nails and shape them with a file.
Use your cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles – a bed will form that’s simple to trim. The more moisturized your cuticles are the easier they are to push back. Trim them using a cuticle trimmer but be careful to only trim the cuticle you just pushed back – that little bed that formed. Cutting any more will leave you with little nicks and create hangnails. No thank you, please.
After you’ve trimmed your cuticles, go wash your hands.
Sometimes, I like to do another round with the file making sure my nails are the exact shape I want them.
Time to paint! At this point, you’re starting with a totally clean canvas since you’ve washed your hands and shaped your nails to where you want them. Start with a base layer of nail strengthener. I like the ones from OPI and Essie but any strengthener works great. Next, we’re painting.
Make sure you’re using the flat end of the brush. I like to use a little more polish than I think I’ll need and start at the base of the nail. From here, I slowly press the flat side of the brush against my nail so the brush head fans out, covering alot of surface space. I continue to do this until the nail is covered. Painting this way will ensure even coverage and each nail will be done with 2-3 strokes. You want to make sure each stroke is slow and fast as opposed to quick and short as you cover more area this way.
Is this making sense?
Follow that painting logic all the way around. Hang for a minute before going back to the second coat. Repeat.
Once you’re done with color, finish your manicure off with a top layer of Seche Vite. I don’t know what kind of witchcraft is in this bottle but it’s my secret to a perfect at-home manicure.
Et, voila. You’ve just discovered you’re perfectly capable of giving yourself a decent manicure. This kinda changes the game, doesn’t it!?
Now sit back, relax, and be amazed at how quickly your nails dry with that fresh coat of Seche Vite.
