Your Manicure Routine

[#1]

When you do your nails, do you have a distinct routine you like to follow?  How about certain unique steps you take to maintain the health of your nails or even when/if you do nail art?  I figured it would be cool to share our routines and try out other techniques.

Here's what I do for a basic look:

• If I remove polish the day before I do my nails, I like to file them if needed and apply Nutra Nail 5-7 Day Nail Growth.  The Nutra Nail helps my nails to stay strong since I like to do my nails often.  I usually use it once a week.
• Before I actually polish my nails, I'll use my 4 way buffing block from Sally's Beauty Supply to smooth any ridges and whatnot.
• After that, I take a Q Tip and dip it in my nourishing nail polish remover and wipe down my nails.  This dries up any natural oils and whatnot so my polish adheres better.
• I'll apply my basecoat, which has lately been OPI for Sephora Nail Strenghner.  Best base coat I've found so far, and it dries fast.
• Next, I'll apply 2-3 coats of whatever polish.  If needed, I have my Avon Smudge Corrector handy.
• Once all is dry, I finish it off with a top coat.  Lately, it's been China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat.
• For clean up, I've started using an old eye liner brush.  I dip it in my nail polish remover and remove any polish from around my nails.
• Sometimes, to speed up the drying process, I'll use a hair dryer on low.

[#2]

Spikiki's express manicure:

1. Use Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover. Leave on cuticles for 30 seconds to a minute at maximum and push back cuticles with orange stick. Use Cuticle nippers if needed. DO NOT use that weird cuticle tool with the two sharp things.
2. Wash hands well.
3. File and buff nails. I agree with using the Sally Hansen buffing wand.
4. Use a base coat.
5. Paint your nails with your choice of color.
6. Wait til nails are mostly dry. Apply top coat.
7. Wait til top coat dries.

Done!

[#3]

I've make time every week to do my nails; plus I really enjoy the "me" time. I really appreciate the artistry in nail art but I don't have the patience to decorate each nail, and I'm a perfectionist so making sure that every nail looks exactly the same would drive me bonkers. 

This is what I usually do:

-Remove old nail polish with acetone

-Buff nails to get rid of any imperfections or yellowing from the previous polish

-Apply cuticle oil and let it sit for a few minutes

-Remove cuticles

-Apply Seche Vite Base Coat

-Apply 2 or 3 coats of the colour that I'm using

-Apply 1 or 2 coats of the Seche Top Coat

[#4]

hi, kimmi 1115!

yes, i have a particular routine for nails! since i don't do my nails regularly, i always start by buffing and smoothing all my nails with my 4-step buffer from sephora. then, i use a hand cream to get rid of the dead skin and dust, my fave is neutrogena hand cream. then i use a basecoat, CND stickey, it's the best! when that dries, and it will feel kinda rubbery, i apply 2 coats of polish. then what that has dried i use seche vite quick-drying top coat. for extra protection i use qtica quick drying drops. this routine has been tried over the years, but now i think this is the best! i hate smudges!

[#5]

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for all the great tips! I like to do my nails myself and these tips are going to come in handy. I think with this cold season coming its going to be a challenge to keep my cuticles from looking dry! Thanks again.

[#6]

hi! I love ji baek's book "rescue your nails" (she's the creator of rescue beauty lounge)

i don't actually follow it most of the time though lol

but when i do, it's great!

[#7]

@jxw200  That sounds like an interesting book!  Is it available at most book stores?  I love doing my nails so much, that when I graduated college and get a teaching job, I want to go to a cosmetology school later on to get a Nail Tech certification.  During the off summers from teaching, I'll need something to do.  Doing nails would be awesome! 

[#8]

oh that sounds like a great idea! =) 

i do see the book at b&N pretty frequently! i know i bought it in a store like 2 years ago. i hope you can find it!

[#9]

@jxw200  Thanks!  I'll have to see if I can find it next time I go to Barnes and Noble. 

[#10]

Hi Ladies,

Thank you for all the great tips! I like to do my nails myself and these tips are going to come in handy. I think with this cold season coming its going to be a challenge to keep my cuticles from looking dry! Thanks again.

[#11]

I love the China Glaze fast forward topcoat too!!  

A couple of tips,  I get really hard dry skin on the sides of my fingertips so using a nail file to buff it away instead of cuticle cutters gets rid of it, extending the base, polish and top coats to cover the end of the nail helps wearing, if you smudge your nail after the polish and topcoat have been applied use a little polish remover on the pad of your finger and try to push and smooth the smudge, then once it's dry touch up polish and then apply a fresh coat of topcoat. 

[#12]

Yup.

1. I let my fingers soak in some kind of oil for like 5 minutes. Usually olive oil.

2. Then I take off my nail polish with any kind of remover usually CVS kind.

3. I use the block just like you do then a glass file by Essie to square nails.

4. Put on Cuticle Remover. Mango California kind from Sallys.

5. Wipe off

6. I put on Seche Vete Ridge Filler

7. After I let dry I put on OPI Nail Strengthener

8. Paint my nails whatever color I feel like that day.

9. A top coat I've been using lately I got at CVS the other day, its called NYC extra shiny top coat. 99 cents haha.

[#13]

I will have to try the soaking in oil before using nail polish remover. Great idea!

[#14]

I have gotten into the routine of doing my nails while I skype with my mom (every Sunday evening).
1. Thursday/Friday I remove my nail polish, then I file or clip my nails down (they grow extremely fast).
2. I buff my nails with a four way buffer
3. Over night for the next two/three nights I put vaseline on and around my nails.
4. I apply a base coat (OPI Ridge filler, I like the opaque finish it leaves)
5. A 2-3 coats of whatever nail polish I choose
6. A top coat (Sally Hansen No Chip Top Coat)
7. For clean up I usually just leave it honestly because it is Sunday evening, and I am not going out, so I just wait until I shower the next day. All the nail polish that got on the skin around my nail easily rubs off in the shower.

Only recently have I started painting my nails this often. It used to only be once in a GREAT while. However I noticed some of my nail polish needs to be used up or thrown out soon, so I have been trying to use more of it.

[#15]

@brandiandi  Be warned, polishing nails often can be addicting lol. I find it to be relaxing.