In the works......
Tools -
Body Toolz Cuticle Pusher Amazon.com
Earth Therapeutics Cuticle Trimmer Amazon.com or Ross/Marshall's/TJ Maxx
Flash Shine Nail Buffer Amazon.com
Sand Turtle Nail Files Fine & Extra Fine Sally Beauty
Revlon Designer Nail Files 99cent Store
Dotting Tools (Aprox. $2.50USD for a set of 5) Ebay
E.L.F. Concealer Brush Target
Organizer Amazon.com
Dotting Tools (Aprox. $2.50USD for a set of 5) Ebay
E.L.F. Concealer Brush Target
Organizer Amazon.com
Products -
Orly Nail Armor Liquid Silk Wrap Sally Beauty
Orly Bonder Rubberized Base Coat Sally Beauty
INM Out The Door Top Coat Sally Beauty
Poshe Top Coat Sally Beauty
Beauty Secrets Cuticle Oil (NOT Matrix) Sally Beauty
Homemade Coconut Vanilla Scrub Recipe
Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover Recipe
Target Up & Up Brand Alcohol Prep Pads (Found in the diabetic section)
Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover Recipe
Target Up & Up Brand Alcohol Prep Pads (Found in the diabetic section)
Methods -
Prep -
1. Remove polish with acetone/glycerin remover, cotton, and q-tips.
2. Wash hands and gently scrub under nails.
3. Apply generous Tablespoon of Coconut Vanilla Scrub and rub gently but vigorously for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Rinse under cool water and lightly pat dry.
5. Apply light lotion of choice, then Beauty Secrets Oil to whole nail, then heavy lotion/body butter/salve of choice
6. Push back cuticles of each hand with Body Toolz and gently scrape away the stubborn excess.
7. Apply a second layer of Beauty Secrets Oil to the whole nail and wait at least 10 minutes.
8. Wipe nails with a clean dry cloth to remove excess oil.
9. Lightly buff new growth.
10. Shape nails with fine side of Revlon Designer Files.
11. Clean under nails to expose the "shavings" and finish smoothing the edge with an extra fine Sand Turtle file.
12. Use Flash Shine Buffer grey side where needed to smooth any ridges or flaking that may have occurred. It is important not to over buff and thin the nail plate.
13. Finish with another coat of Beauty Secrets Oil followed by lotion. I let that sit for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Note: I do not buff my nail with the green or white side of the buffer as polish adheres better to a slightly rough surface.
Polish -
1. After showering wait 10 - 15 minutes to allow the nails to begin to dry.
2. Apply oil or lotion avoiding the nails as best you can.
3. Carefully swipe each nail with an Alcohol Prep Pad paying special attention to the cuticle.
4. Repeat step 3 if needed to ensure the nails are adequately dry and free of residue.
5. Apply 1 - 2 coats of base of choice, generally Orly Armor.
6. Once touch dry apply one coat of color wrapping tips if desired.
7. Use an orange wood stick to quickly swipe off any polish that gets on the skin to the sides of the nail bed after each coat.
8. Wait a minimum of 5 minutes or until no longer soft and tacky then apply a second coat of color.
9. If needed repeat step 7 for a third coat of color.
10. If applying a design such as dots/sponging wait 5 minutes after the last coat and continue as desired. For tape designs I wait overnight and apply in the morning.
11. For a plain manicure top with OTD. I wrap the tips first then coat the nail as I find I get a smoother edge than if I wrap the tips after. For Dotting top with Poshe followed by OTD for durability. OTD tends to cause smudging and bleeding of crisp designs good for gradients not for dots an undercoat of Poshe eliminates this.
12. Go to sleep without smushing hands beneath body or pillows ;) and wake up to beautiful nails.
Clean Up -
1. Using Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover and the E.L.F. Concealer Brush neaten the cuticle line. Wiping brush on paper towel as needed to remove color from brush.
2. Use q-tips and Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover to clean up sides/tips of fingers.
3. Wash hands and apply Beauty Secrets Oil followed by lotion of choice.
Prep -
1. Remove polish with acetone/glycerin remover, cotton, and q-tips.
2. Wash hands and gently scrub under nails.
3. Apply generous Tablespoon of Coconut Vanilla Scrub and rub gently but vigorously for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Rinse under cool water and lightly pat dry.
5. Apply light lotion of choice, then Beauty Secrets Oil to whole nail, then heavy lotion/body butter/salve of choice
6. Push back cuticles of each hand with Body Toolz and gently scrape away the stubborn excess.
7. Apply a second layer of Beauty Secrets Oil to the whole nail and wait at least 10 minutes.
8. Wipe nails with a clean dry cloth to remove excess oil.
9. Lightly buff new growth.
10. Shape nails with fine side of Revlon Designer Files.
11. Clean under nails to expose the "shavings" and finish smoothing the edge with an extra fine Sand Turtle file.
12. Use Flash Shine Buffer grey side where needed to smooth any ridges or flaking that may have occurred. It is important not to over buff and thin the nail plate.
13. Finish with another coat of Beauty Secrets Oil followed by lotion. I let that sit for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Note: I do not buff my nail with the green or white side of the buffer as polish adheres better to a slightly rough surface.
Polish -
1. After showering wait 10 - 15 minutes to allow the nails to begin to dry.
2. Apply oil or lotion avoiding the nails as best you can.
3. Carefully swipe each nail with an Alcohol Prep Pad paying special attention to the cuticle.
4. Repeat step 3 if needed to ensure the nails are adequately dry and free of residue.
5. Apply 1 - 2 coats of base of choice, generally Orly Armor.
6. Once touch dry apply one coat of color wrapping tips if desired.
7. Use an orange wood stick to quickly swipe off any polish that gets on the skin to the sides of the nail bed after each coat.
8. Wait a minimum of 5 minutes or until no longer soft and tacky then apply a second coat of color.
9. If needed repeat step 7 for a third coat of color.
10. If applying a design such as dots/sponging wait 5 minutes after the last coat and continue as desired. For tape designs I wait overnight and apply in the morning.
11. For a plain manicure top with OTD. I wrap the tips first then coat the nail as I find I get a smoother edge than if I wrap the tips after. For Dotting top with Poshe followed by OTD for durability. OTD tends to cause smudging and bleeding of crisp designs good for gradients not for dots an undercoat of Poshe eliminates this.
12. Go to sleep without smushing hands beneath body or pillows ;) and wake up to beautiful nails.
Clean Up -
1. Using Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover and the E.L.F. Concealer Brush neaten the cuticle line. Wiping brush on paper towel as needed to remove color from brush.
2. Use q-tips and Loodie's Acetone/Glycerin Remover to clean up sides/tips of fingers.
3. Wash hands and apply Beauty Secrets Oil followed by lotion of choice.
