Nails 101: The Basics of Grooming

I get a lot of questions about my nails. I've always done my own nails and I have never been to a salon to get them done. At this point, I feel as if I don't need to pay anyone to give me a manicure. Through trial and error over the years I have come up with many tips and trips that help me to achieve a professional looking manicure without the salon price tag. I'm going to have a few posts all about nails to answer a lot of the questions I've gotten over the years.

For the first nail related post, I'm going to start with the basics of grooming the nail to prep it for painting.

Tools Needed:

1.     Crystal Nail File

2.     Cuticle Trimmer

3.     Cuticle Remover

4.     Cuticle Stick

5.     Cuticle Cream/Balm

6.     Hand Cream

Step One: Cuticles

The key to a polished, professional looking manicure is neatly groomed cuticles. When the cuticles are over grown and ragged, it can make the entire manicure look sloppy. Think of your cuticles as the picture frame that ties everything together. You wouldn't put a $1 plastic frame on the Mona Lisa, would you?

1.     The first thing I use to keep my cuticles in check is a cuticle trimmer . There are some people who are avidly against cuticle trimmers. What it does is trim the excess skin off, making the cuticle instantly shorter and neater. However, it can make the cuticle grow back faster and thicker. I don't have any issues with this, mainly because I do this weekly and this is not the sole method I use to groom my cuticles. Please be careful when using a cuticle trimmer. Use it to trim off the dead skin around the nail like hangnails, or any skin that has grown over the nail and is starting to lift off. You DO NOT want to press down too hard or cut into the cuticle bed. This could cause damage to the cuticle bed and also cause infection. That is why I am a fan of the cuticle trimmer from Revlon that is linked above. It’s not too dull or too sharp, which prevents you from going a little crazy; it will just get the dead skin. If you are anti-cuticle trimmers, then by all means skip this step.

2.     The second thing I use on my cuticles is a gel cuticle remover. My current favorite is the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover. After I've trimmed my cuticles, I apply a small amount of the cuticle remover to each cuticle and then spread it around with a cuticle stick. I let it sit for about a minute and then gently use the cuticle stick remove any extra dead skin and push the cuticle back. Wipe this off and then wash your hands. Think of this step as if you're exfoliating the nail. It gently lifts up dead skin cells, leaving the cuticles neat and the nail nicely groomed.

Step Two: Filing and Shaping the Nail

It's time to put down the nail clippers and the sand paper emery boards. In my opinion, the best way to shorten, shape and file your nails is with a crystal file. Nail clippers can cause the nail to split and peel, especially for those with weak nails. Emery boards can also be too rough on the nail and cause splitting. I personally never cared for how emery boards feel against my nail while filing. A quality glass file effectively shortens the nail through filing and creates a smooth edge with no splitting or peeling. Over time, you'll have stronger nails. A glass file can also last a life time, that is if you don't drop it! I paid about $7 for a quality glass file on Amazon back on 2011 and it's still going strong. You may initially think that paying upwards of $10 for a nail file is a tad ridiculous, but I assure you, it’s a great investment and will pay for itself, as it should last you a lifetime opposed to constantly purchasing emery boards that need to be replaced often.

To shape my nails, I simply file back and forth in a straight line. Some suggest that you should only file in one direction because the back and forth motion can weaken the nail. I have never experienced this, but file in whichever direction you prefer and works best for you.

My favorite nail shape is a short, square nail. I file the nail down in a straight line to the desired length and then softly round out the edges so the points of the nail aren’t to sharp. You may need to take the glass file and gently run it underneath the nail to remove any nail remnants from filing.

**QUICK TIP: To best achieve the perfect shape of whatever your desire nail shape may be (round, pointed, square, etc.), file your nails right before removing you old manicure. This way, you won't get distracted by you natural nail line, which naturally grows out unevenly. Having nail polish already on the nail when you file helps you to really see the shape you are making!

Step Three: Moisturize!

You can file your nails perfectly and have pristine cuticles, but if you aren't constantly pampering and moisturizing your hands afterwards, it's a bit of a waste. To maintain the health of your nails you need to moisturize them and do it often!

·      Cuticle Creams: Cuticle creams are especially formulated with the cuticles in mind. They are often times richer and more concentrated than hand creams and also have ingredients that help to strengthen nails. Consistent use of a cuticle cream helps to prevent peeling and splitting nails, dry and peeling cuticles and hang nails.

o   Recommendations:

1.     Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. This is a staple product for me. It has a light, fresh lemon scent and does an excellent job of moisturizing and nourishing cuticles. I prefer to use this during the day, throughout the day as I remember. If my nails are being temperamental and are peeling just a bit, this sorts it out. It has more of a balm texture than that of a cream, so it's not heavy or sticky on this skin. A little goes a long way and at just $5-6 per tin, you can't beat the value!

2.     Christian Dior Abricot Nail Creme. I discovered this heavy-duty gem this past winter when it was so cold and so dry outside that my hands literally hurt from how dry my skin was. None of my lotions and potions were saving my skin. I stumbled upon the Christian Dior Abricot Nail Creme online and it had great reviews so I decided to take the plunge; a $27 plunge. I know! I know! But it was so worth it! This product is heavy, thick, rich, emollient and all those good words! Because it is so gooey, it is suggested for nighttime use. When applied at night before bed, it brings your cuticles back to life the next morning and the more you use it, the better the results. I don't much care for the smell, but I'll deal with it because I no longer have to suffer from dry winter skin. Never underestimate the power of eBay. Check there so see if you can find it for a few bucks cheaper.

·      Hand Creams: Much like cuticle creams, avidly using hand creams keeps your hands in tip-top shape. They moisturize the nails and cuticles, but predominately keep your hands soft and provide a line of defense against the elements when used regularly, throughout the day.

o   Recommendations:

1.     LUSH Helping Hands. I also discovered this product this past winter when my hands were painfully dry. I was in the market for a heavier hand cream to use at night and this fit the bill. It has soothing ingredients like chamomile, marigold and lavender to provide relief for painful hands. A little goes a long way and I always wake up with super soft hands the next morning. This is on the pricey side; 3.5 ounces will set you back $18.95, but it's a quality product with wholesome ingredients that will last you a while. Side note: I recently applied this to sunburned arms at night and woke up with soothed skin that was not angry and pink. Brillant!

2.  Crabtree & Evelyn Verbana and Lavender Hand Therapy. Any scent/formulation of the Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams is good so just pick your poison! Right now I'm really into the Verbana and Lavender scent; it's bright but warm. These hand creams are not too heavy so they are great for daytime use. They just get the job done. The 3.5 ounce tubes retail for $22, but I often find them at my local TJ Maxx for around $7, so when I see them, I stock up!

I know this post was long, but I hope it was helpful! I have a few more of these Nail 101 posts planned, so keep your eyes peels for the next post in the series on how to actually paint your nails perfectly (probably the top question I'm asked!).

- Alana

Winter-Proof: Products for Dry Winter Hands

February may be over and the first day of Spring may be three and a half weeks away, but you wouldn’t know it due to the amount of snowfall and below zero temperatures we’ve been experiencing across the States. I live in an area that typically doesn’t see much snowfall, but we got hit with substantial amounts of the white stuff two weeks in a row.

The cold, dry winter weather was really starting to take its toll on my hands and cuticles. Even though I was constantly applying hand cream throughout the day, especially after washing my hands, by the end of the day my hands were so dry it was almost painful. And my cuticles! My cuticles looked like they’ve never come across a moisturizer! They were dry, peeling and borderline unsightly. I needed products that would really penetrate my skin and keep my hands from getting dried out as quickly, especially since I wash my hands a lot.

These four products together have really done a number on my hands. My cuticles are pristine and nourished and my hands don’t get nearly as dry throughout the entire day. My hands have NEVER been this soft before. I kid you not; my skin feels at least a few years younger.

LUSH Helping Hands Hand Cream. I went looking for a product for nighttime use before bed and settled on this. This cream is thick and rather greasy, but that’s what I was looking for and because this is a thicker cream, a little goes a long way. I don’t mind heavier products at night because I’m usually just lounging in bed reading and don’t mind if I get a few fingerprints on things. I use a generous pea-sized amount and really take the time to massage this in. It doesn’t have much of a scent, but I faintly detect the scent of donuts (wishful thinking…). When I wake up in the morning my hands are unnaturally soft and moisturized, even after a few washes. I credit this hand cream for keeping my hands nourished throughout the entire day. This may be the best hand cream I’ve come across thus far.

Christian Dior Abricot Nail Cream. This is another new product to me. I stumbled across it on the Internet and became curious. It has a plethora of rave reviews, so I figured, why not? I was looking for a product that would save my cuticles and this sounded like it would do the job. I was previously using the Qtica Intense Cuticle Repair Balm, but it wasn’t doing the job for me. I was applying it as a night treatment for my cuticles, but I still felt like my cuticles were lacking something. I like the Qtica Cuticle Balm, but my cuticles needed something more. The Dior Abricot Cream is my “something more.” It’s thick, gooey and emollient. It will make your hands feel greasy, which is why it’s instructed for nighttime use. The first couple of nights I used this, I woke up and my cuticles looked good, but the more I use this, the better my cuticles look and remain. They don’t dry out as badly and I found that when it’s time for my next manicure, I don’t have to work so hard to get my cuticles back in tip-top shape. This combined with Helping Hands is a dynamite duo. Two things to keep in mind about the Abricot Cream: It smells so weird to me. I don’t care for the scent; like fake apricots and something akin to earwax. However, I’m so pleased with the results I could care less. Also, this product does contain mineral oil, which some people are completely against. This doesn’t really bother me because again, I’m getting the results I want.

Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Cream. This is a great product. It’s lightweight, doesn’t feel greasy on the skin, absorbs quickly and moisturizes well. This is the product I use during the day. I was using it at night, but it wasn’t heavy enough. This comes in a variety of scents, so almost everyone will find something they like. I keep one tube by my bed, one tube in my handbag, and a spare in my drawer of goodies. This is one of the better hand creams I’ve tried, though it comes with a hefty price tag. A 3.5-ounce tube retails for $20. However, keep your eyes peeled at TJ Maxx. I was able to find my tubes there for $7 each. Whenever I see them at TJ Maxx in a scent I like, I snatch them up!

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. This is a staple product for me. I started using this in 2011 and when I run out, I purchase another. It smells lovely, like tart, fresh lemons. It has more of a balm-like texture than that of a cream. This is lightweight and non-greasy, so it’s great for daytime use. I use this with the Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream and keep it in my handbag to keep my cuticles hydrated, especially throughout the workday. When I apply this immediately after washing my hands, it prevents my cuticles from getting dry beyond repair and you don’t need to use a lot of product either, so one tin should last you a while. For $5-6 a tin, it’s a quality product to incorporate into your hand and nail care routine.

What are your favorite products to keep your hands, nails and cuticles in prime condition during the brutal winter months?

- Alana

September 2014 Favorites

I’m still in disbelief that it’s October. We have a little less than three more months left of 2014. Holiday season is among us people! Hallmark already has their Christmas décor out and we all know that on November 1^st, the Christmas music will be blaring from every store. But before all of that chaos ensues, let’s talk about some September favorites, shall we?

1.     Dior Ultra Addict Lip Gloss in #452 Pretty Rose – I’ve had this for a few months now but I didn’t really appreciate it until recently. When I first got this gloss the pigmentation actually disappointed me until I realized, it’s supposed to be sheer. In September I began wearing this gloss over a lip liner that is ever so slightly darker than my natural lip color. I apply the liner just on the bottom center of my lower lip and to define my cupid’s bow to enhance the shape of my lips. This gloss just gives the prettiest, healthiest look and is hydrating like a balm. It’s become my go-to gloss for minimal or no makeup days.

2.     Maybelline Color Elixir in #065 Caramel Infused – When I first got this gloss last Fall I was really put off by the scent and taste, so I didn’t wear it a ton. I decided to put it on this past month and have been reaching for it frequently since. The scent and taste don’t bother me like it used to and I love the finish it gives. As my best friend said, “You’re lips look luscious!” and what chick doesn’t want luscious looking lips?! It’s a beautiful shade that enhances your natural lip color. The formula is thick but not sticky and hydrates well.

3.     L’Oreal Miss Manga Mascara (non-waterproof) – This mascara is great! I’m not super picky when it comes to mascara because I have really long lashes, so it doesn’t take much for my lashes to look like something. This mascara makes my lashes look unreal. I don’t wear waterproof mascara often, so I expect my non-waterproof mascara to not smudge (asking for a lot, I know…). But guys! This barely smudges on me! My waterproof L’Oreal Carbon Black smudges like crazy on me and this one doesn’t and I have oily skin, so that’s a big deal. If you’re in the market for a new mascara, give this one a go. It’s become one of my favorites.

4.     Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in shade #240 – This is another product I purchased last Fall and I only wear it during the cooler months because it will melt off my face in a heart beat in the hot summer heat. During the cooler months, when set with a mattifying powder I can actually wear this for a few hours before needed to blot. This foundation is marketed towards people with dry to normal skin, but I’ve been able to make it work for me. Bringing it back out this fall reminded me of how much I like it. It’s lightweight, light to medium coverage, it’s a perfect match for my skin tone, and gives a healthy glow without making me look like a face-planted a bucket of fried chicken.

5.     Formula X for Sephora Base Coat – This base coat is the best base coat I’ve ever tried. Period. My nails won’t chip for a week! I’m really impressed. It’s a sticky base coat so polish really adheres to the nail. It’s a bit pricey for .40 fluid ounces ($10.50), but I always do my own manicures, so it’s worth it.

6.     Estelle & Thild Face Cream, Fragrance Free for Sensitive Skin – I’ve wanted to try something from this brand when Estée from essiebutton on YouTube raved about it. However, it’s pricey (retail for this particular face cream is around $48. I paid $13) and not the most readily available. I was browsing around the skin care section of TJ Maxx and lo and behold! there was this face cream! I snatched it up and it’s been love ever since. This is a thicker, richer face cream that I only use at night on nights I apply a facemask, so about 3 times a week. I used detoxifying masks that can really leave the skin feeling tight and dry. On those days I want a heavier face cream that is really going to hydrate my skin and this fits the bill. It’s too heavy for me to use on daily basis but perfect for when my skin needs a little extra TLC. And the ingredients are natural and organic. Win!

7.     Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil Hand Cream – This is another TJ Maxx purchase. I’m always on the hunt to find the best hand cream and this may be my favorite thus far. It smells great, it’s super moisturizing and it has great ingredients. I picked up another in the scent Rosewater. When I apply this at night, my hands feel unnaturally soft in the morning. This comes with a hefty price tag at $20 a pop, retail. I paid $6 for mine. Check out TJ Maxx to see if you can score a tube.

8.     The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Body Butter – I love rose anything. I love the smell, the look of roses and even the taste (if you’ve never tried Rose black tea, you’re missing out). Rose is absolutely one of my favorite scents, right along with bergamot. I stumbled across this body butter at TJ Maxx (one of my favorite stores if you haven’t noticed already). I took one whiff and was like, “Yep, I’m gon need that.” It’s a fresh scent without smelling heavy, or like a grandmother. Yet, there is a complexity to it. With my body chemistry it takes on a warmer quality that makes it appropriate for the cooler months. It’s unique also, which is what I look for in a fragrance. I love it so much I went on The Body Shop and ordered the fragrance mist, the shower gel, the perfume oil and a back up of the body butter. I. Can’t. Get. Enough.

9.     J.Crew Factory Statement Necklace – I’ve been looking for a statement necklace like this for a while, a little over a year actually. This necklace is perfect for dressing up or down. I wanted a necklace like this to pair with button downs and plain sweaters. It’s sparkly without being gaudy. I probably wear it 3+ times a week. I have no shame.

Those are all my favorites for the month of September! What were some stand out products for you this past month?

-Alana