How to "Nail it!"

This post is going to be all about nails.  How they can be one of your best beauty assets and how you can make the most of your manicure.

In the October 2012 issue of O: The Oprah Magazine there is a lot of fun advice about love, life, careers and beauty.  One piece of advice that stuck with me was from O's creative director Adam Glassman.  When asked for "Simple Ways to Look Polished," Glassman's response was: "a great haircut, neat nails, and well-shaped eyebrows."  These are truly beauty basics.

Lately, it has really hit me that my nails looking great can really have a positive impact on my day.  It might sound silly, but it is true.  You can see your nails throughout the day, if they look great it helps you feel that you look great.  If they're kinda messy and unkempt, it may make you feel messy and unkempt.

But what's more frustrating than spending the time to make your nails look great only to have them chip a few days later?  Well I'm sure there are a lot of more frustrating things, but it is definitely frustrating.  I'm a nurse, and I have found that changing gloves all day, washing your hands all day, opening pill packets, etc., is not at all friendly to nails and nail polish.  So today I went in search of the best ways to keep your manicure going strong.

(Image from Flickr)

To make a manicure last longer:

Clip/File:  shorter nails are less likely to chip, so shorter is better.  Shape also matters, but I have read conflicting advice on what shape to use.  Self.com says to file nails short and round and to avoid square corners as this leads to more chips.  Good Housekeeping on the other hand says round your tips and leave corners somewhat square.  Both magazines got their advice from dermatologists.  I recommend trying both ways and see what works for you.  So far, for me, it looks like rounded edges work better.

(Image from Fashion meets Food)

Good Housekeeping also recommends filing over clipping.  All sources I found agree that filing is good but needs to be done in only one direction.  This is really trickY for me, so I just resorted to mainly clipping and then just finishing up edges with a bit of one direction filing.

Get rid of oils:  The great thing about having to remove old nail polish is that you will have already removed any oils with your polish remover.  Otherwise use either nail polish remover lightly over each nail or soap and water to make sure your nails are clean and oil free.

Don't soak:  Make sure nails are dry before you paint them.  Nails that have been soaked have soaked up water and will shrink as your polish is drying, this can lead to chips and bubbling.

Base coat:  Yes, this is important.  Base coats adhere to your nails better than nail polish and help hold your manicure to your nail to keep it from chipping.

Polish in layers:  After the base coat you need to apply your color in multiple thin layers rather than a single thick one. This will help prevent chipping due to one thick brittle layer.  With each layer make sure you completely cover the end of your nail.  Sealing this end with each layer and the top coat helps to prevent chipping.  The polish you choose also plays a role in how long your manicure will last.  Make sure each layer is completely dry before adding more polish, luckily thinner layers dry faster.  Another thing that will help your polish last longer is picking the right shade.  Shiny shades last longer than matte ones and shimmery or glittery shades also last longer.

Top Coat:  Choose a good clear top coat to seal everything in.  Wait until your polish has dried before applying it.  Make sure you completely seal the polish in with the top coat, once again make sure you get the end.

Leave them:  Let your nails dry without blowing on them.  Air going over the polish can cause bubbles which will lead to chipping.

Maintenance:  Once your polish is completely dry apply a little oil to each cuticle.  Any oil works, they do make specific cuticle oil if you want to buy it, but you can use your cooking oil from the kitchen.  Keep this up while your nails are painted.  It keeps the nails healthy and makes them less likely to chip.  Also to keep your polish from wearing off or chipping you can apply another top coat daily.  It's a whole lot quicker than having to re-do your nails in a few days and definitely helps them last.


Yay for longer lasting nails!!

Sources: 

Self:  http://www.self.com/beauty/2011/11/pump-up-your-beauty-routine-slideshow?mbid=enws_bty0925#slide=7
Redbook:  http://www.redbookmag.com/beauty-fashion/tips-advice/manicure-tools-and-treatments#last-slide
Good Housekeeping:  http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nail-care/long-lasting-manicure-jul03_2
http://jezebel.com/5838802/how-to-make-a-manicure-last
http://www.collegefashion.net/beauty-and-hair/3-ways-to-maintain-your-manicure-make-it-last/
Images:
http://www.fashionmeetsfood.com/2011_05_01_archive.html
http://www.healthcare9.com/2012/04/manicure-tips-make-nail-color-last-longer/

New Hair Cut!

I have always wanted to have super-long, almost rapunzel long hair.  I therefore always have a hard time getting it cut.  I like to just get trims, but sometimes it doesn't get all of the damaged ends off.  I finally broke down this week and actually got it cut. Not trimmed but cut.  We're talking about 5-6 inches here.

Before:

My inspiration:

The lovely Nina Dobrev.

The Cut!

My printer was out of ink, so instead of taking a picture in with me, I had to try to explain what I thought the cut consisted of.  I think I did pretty good, for being a girl who never went to cosmetology school.

Gorgeous Glowing Cheeks (just $9)

Want to look healthy?  Happy?  Glowing and Gorgeous?  Who doesn't?

The best way to make yourself look healthy, happy, glowing and gorgeous is with beautiful blush and bronzer and a happy smile :)

I am really, really loving the products I have been using on my cheeks lately.  They are also super cheap!

The products:

1.  e.l.f. Complexion Brush, $3

2.  e.l.f. Baked Bronzer in St. Lucia, $3

3.  e.l.f. Baked Blush in Rich Rose, $3

First I apply foundation or tinted moisturizer and a translucent powder to set my foundation.  I then take my brush and my bronzer and swipe it around it a few times and apply just below my cheek bones.  I like to look where the shadows from my cheekbones form or where they would form and then just fill in those shadows with some bronzer.  

I start about here and then continue to here.  (see picture below :) )

(Bronzer from 1 to 2)

I like this shade of bronzer because it is fairly safe and not orangey.  Put on just enough bronzer to accentuate those shadows under your cheek bones and then stop.  Now swipe your brush a few times on a clean towel or something to get rid of the rest of the bronzer.

Swipe your brush a few times around on your blush.  Start applying the blush directly below your pupil on your cheekbone.  Tip!  It is super easy to apply the blush to your cheek bones if you suck your cheeks in to make like a fish/kissy face.  You then have very exposed cheekbones to follow.  See the example on the right?  I like the face example but not where she's applying the blush.

Start here and blend lightly all the way up into your temple and hairline.  (see picture below :) )

(Blush from 1 to 2)

I do each of my cheeks evenly by applying a few layers to each.  I then take what is left on my brush and swipe it along the top of my brows and down my nose.  This extends the glow to your whole face :)

Finish with eye makeup and then your lips.  Another Tip!  If you plan to do a bold lip, always do it before your blush.  That way you can keep the blush subtle enough to not clash with your bold lip.  I did a more natural but darkish lip color with this cheek look.

All done!