Show Me Your Nails 2.0

[Tamara76]

Due to some technical glitches with the original Show Me Your Nails Thread, I am starting a new thread with @vegchililover78's blessing (She says "hello," by the way!).

Please share your nail looks, nail art and manicures!

...And don't forget to check out @Beadshopgirl's Nail Stamping Thread for stamping inspiration! ❤️  

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Nailed-It/The-Nail-Stamping-Thread/m-p/3328865

[RGbrown]

@eshoe 

I'm actually light on recommendations (at least, personally tested ones); the only one I've used with any regularity is Butter London's Nail Foundation, and it's been my staple for years now. I just happened to have a bottle from one of their box sets a few years back, and started using it when my ridges got pronounced enough to need it...and I liked it well enough to continue it. Ridge filling base coats aren't nearly as widespread, so I've just kept buying it instead of hunting other brands. But now that Ulta has stopped carrying the brand, I'll probably be looking for a new one myself in the future 😥

Also, since I change my polish a couple of times a week, longevity isn't really something I look for or pay attention to 😋 With the Butter base, I could generally get a week out of a mani back when I was waiting that long, but even pre-quarantine, I was ready to change it up after 7-8 days, whether it needed it or not. 

All that said, I've heard good things about Zoya Anchor (and I'm a die hard Zoya fan, so it's probably no surprise that I toss that one out there). I actually have a bottle, but it's doesn't fill my ridges, so I've only tried it once or twice. It seemed fine, but I only left it on a couple of days, so...

There's also CND Stickey, which might be worth a shot. It dries down slightly tacky for a little extra grip on the polish. 

[eshoe]

Oh YES I went through a bottle of the Butter, it was fantastic @RGbrown. I’m using NailsINC. Kale base now and love it. Takes a while to dry down but that’s the only minor - . 

I buff my nails to get rid of any ridges first, so I think I will give the Zoya a try. I have a couple of their polishes and they are gorgeous (but glitter, so I don’t wear them often as they are a major pain to remove, ugh). Thank you for the suggestions!

[RGbrown]

@eshoe 

I'd actually suggest not buffing! Nails aren't a solid block; they're made up of multiple thin layers of keratin, and once you break the top of a layer, it's prone to start peeling. If you aren't having a problem with peeling, then it's just something to keep in the back of your mind, should problems arise in the future. But if you're having troubles with thin, peeling nails (which could also cause chipping polish on the tips, as thin nails give way easier and the polish breaks off), definitely think about laying off the buffing and letting the damage grow out. 😊

[eshoe]

Multiple layers @RGbrown? I had no idea. I associated peeling with frequent polish application, as if the ingredients were damaging to the nail. You are opening my eyes to an entirely new approach to nails😂

[RGbrown]

@eshoe 

Around 50 layers, I believe, is the common estimate! 

I think that "frequent polish application causes damage" is also a myth! I'm doing mine roughly twice a week now, and they are as strong and healthy as ever. Unless you're soaking your nails in acetone for 30+ minutes a day, neither the polish nor the remover is doing anything that can't be undone. Acetone is drying, but a little cuticle oil can counteract that immediately. And polish itself isn't harmful...if anything, it provides a few more layers of protection! The only concern, especially with darker polishes, is a bit of yellowing on the nail, and I admit I have that...but it's normal and not a concern from a "are my nails healthy?" standpoint...it's only an aesthetic issue. I keep mine painted all the time anyways, so I don't much worry about it. Go forth and polish!! 😂❣️

[eshoe]

Ha I agree, @RGbrown 👍🏼 I kept a pedicure but my hands were usually bare until the past few months. The problem has always been frequent hand washing for me so everything there chips and it seems not worth the trouble. BUT with extra time, it’s been fun to get back into it. 

[RGbrown]

@eshoe 

Oof, yeah, water is a nail killer, and all the extra hand washing (and sanitizer) needed these days certainly doesn't help! If you can, keep some cuticle oil and/or hand cream handy...it can help counteract the drying effect a bit.

[eshoe]

Yeah I can’t stand the feeling of dry hands, or dry skin on fabric @RGbrown 😳 I’ve also been using the Dashing Divas and they are fantastic but I feel like my nails need to breathe after a few days! 

I don’t use cuticle oil but maybe that would be a good nighttime nail mask. I’m just gonna be lazy and use olive oil for now, but I’m guessing there are some nice ones out there to try👍🏼

[RGbrown]

@eshoe 

Nails don't need to breathe...that's another myth 😋 They're already dead, there's no breathing going on there.

I make my own! Jojoba (the closest oil to our natural sebum, so it soaks in the best) plus a bit of vitamin E, and some essential oils for scent. Olive oil would probably be a great night time option though...nice and thick! My night routine is cuticle oil, immediately followed by foot cream, and the extra foot cream gets rubbed into my cuticles to really lock that oil in. I started with the oil I guess about a year ago, and it has made a world of difference, even with just once a day most days.

[eshoe]

@RGbrown I so appreciate your insight! I haven’t used cuticle oil in years, never thought to apply it pre-foot cream/mask. I will try that next time, I only give myself a pedicure every couple of weeks, this gives me some inspiration to try something new😊

[sonnydee]

  Not on my nails yet! But ordered😁

[RGbrown]

@sonnydee 

Nice! Can't wait to see them in action! ❣️

[CookieGirl1]

My nails and I aren't ready for Fall yet.

 

[eshoe]

This is so pretty, @CookieGirl1 - I love it!

[RGbrown]

@CookieGirl1 

Every time I do fall colors, I have to balance it out with a bright, summery manicure 😋 This is great fun; love the pink! 💕

[RGbrown]

Tried layered stamping for the first time today! The plate has two separate designs; first you lay down the dots for the ladybug color, and then go back over it with the outlines of their bodies. They're tricky to line up, and I'm not sure absolute perfection is even possible with a squishy stamper, but I like the resulting imperfections. 🐞

Pahlish Honeydew (green), Ciate "why is this a bad word?**" (red), Orly Liquid Vinyl (black)

**

🙄😂

[itsfi]

This is such a fun manicure! Love the ladybugs @RGbrown! 🐞 🐞 

[RGbrown]

@itsfi 

Thanks so much! ❣️

[tjffc]

@RGbrown Beautifully done.

[RGbrown]

@tjffc 

Thank you! 🐞

[2manyperfumes]

Wow this is awesome @RGbrown ❤ I love it 😀