After about 12 months of either having acrylics or UV gel my nails are weak and shot! They're paper thin and yellow to a point that i look like i smoke a 100 fags a day! Of course i don't but it's prompted me to look at my nails in a different way.
I need a Manicure
Are you ready? Here goes...
First of all I washed my hands..
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My nails are dry and brittle |
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yep, i know man hands |
1. After i'd washed my hands i buffed the tops of my nails very very gently to take some of the yellowing away, i didn't want to damage my nails anymore that they are already so just a very gentle once over was all they needed.
2. I then shaped them as best as i could and because they're dry and brittle they've peeled and broken to odd shapes so until the get strong and grow my nails won't be a great shape.
3. I then took a bowl of warm soapy water and put some cuticle cream onto my nails and cuticle, massaged it in and placed my hands into the water
4. After a few minutes i took them out and gently pushed back the cuticle and cleared any off my nail plate.
5. I try not to cut my cuticles very often as they're there for a reason but i did trim them slightly as after months and months of neglect they were in need of it.
6. After this i removed any left over residue by dipping my hands into some more clean soapy water and dried them gently.
7. I then took some exfoliator, I used a face one as this is gentle (Fern Cotton) to your skin but does the job perfectly. I massaged it around my hands and then took it off with water and dried my hands with a towel, BINGO, my hands felt soft and fresh.
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Yep still Man Hands |
8. Now for the colour. I took the OPI base and top coat and applied one coat of this to each nail as this stops yellowing from your polish and provides a base for your colour to sit on
9. Now it's time for your chosen colour. I chose three a teal colour from Miss Sporty, Mint Green by Barry M and Sunshine Arabian Glow by Avon and alternated them.
10. Apply two coats of the colour thinly to your nails and allow each coat to dry fully. Yes this will take longer but i find your colour will last longer if the colour is fully dry before applying the next coat. If you have a nail dryer then lucky you it will help you paint your nails quicker.
11. Next, apply your top coat and allow to dry then add some cuticle oil to your cuticles and massage some moisturiser into your hands if you want to.
12. Voila! Less of the man hands!
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well kind of... |
My nails are having a well earned rest!