Thursday, November 20, 2014

Nail and Cuticle Care!

Behind every manicurist, is a woman who wishes she had perfect nails. And in most cases- that simply isn't the case. However, there are certain products and routines that can help nails grow faster, become stronger, stop peeling and keep them from yellowing. It is a trial and error process, but below I list some of the products I use and why I love them so much! Taking care of your cuticles and nails is important to keep them healthy and have a long lasting manicure. All of these products would be a create starter kit!

Cuticle Clippers
(~$3 for a set, including cuticle pushers + free shipping!)

Personally, I don't clip my cuticles. When dead skin builds up around the edges of my finger, sometimes I use them to trim away after a long soak in the shower. The real power of these babies is using them for cutting your actual nails! Yup. I end up with straight, mostly smooth square nails in which I can file any way I like. Also helpful to cut corners, or create more almond like shapes.

($8 at Sephora, on sale for $5 today!)


Normal nail files work, sure. Crystal nail files however prevent your nails from peeling after they have been filed down. The sound somewhat irritates me, personally, but I did adjust. The one I use (linked) comes in a little hard case which can be taken anywhere, and is a cute size.

Cuticle Pusher
(~$3 for the set, including clippers, free shipping!)

The set I got (also linked, and came with clippers) is metal. This makes them easy to sterilize! They are also sturdy and do not bend. I use these to push my cuticle back after using an oil or a serum, which creates a clean smooth like and easy nail polish clean up.

Essie Quick Dissolve


I found this baby for $2 at Big Lots one time and now, I'm hooked! I don't get any oily residue and it works quite well at softening the cuticles enough to push them back. It doesn't dry them out, and also prevents your cuticles from peeling and cracking. You can use this before you clip your cuticles, if you do, but I find applying this, following instructions and pushing back leaves my cuticles in nice order. I had problems finding this online.

Nivea Cream

This is a major love of my life! I own probably 10 tins, opps. I buy the baby sizes for only $1, yup, $1! These are amazing to apply after long work days, before and after manicures, when your cuticles begin to dry, and to counteract the damages of acetone. I love using this- and apply before every manicure, after using acetone, to soften and heal my cuticles and the skin around my nail.

Julep Nail Serum 
(~$21 INCLUDING Freedom top coat) 


This was a gift to me as part of a kit that came with the Freedom top coat. I wouldn't say this is a required product, but it has vitamins to enrich the nails. I apply it last, before base coats, and rub it into the nail and skin. Doesn't leave much of an oily residue, a little goes a long way and most of all, blends in super smoothly. 

(~$8-10 on Amazon)

I haven't had a chance to grab a new bottle of this, but when I began my huge nail journey I stumbled across these on Amazon and it is BY FAR the best base coat I have ever used. This product makes my nails grow 4x as fast (helpful for when I DO get a break), strengthens the nails, reduces chipping and most of all peeling goes away completely. A must have, even if you do not paint your nails, to keep them healthy and in shape.

ORLY Nail Defense
(~$8-10 on Amazon)


I use the ORLY protein nail defense lately while I wait for my new Rejuvacote. This is supposed to help protect and stregthen the nails and applies almost like a liquid. It can be more expensive than Rejuvacote, but for those who don't shop online or live near a Wallmart, this would be my next favorite nail protector.

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