Spruce Up Your Nails

I recently heard Rachel Zoe, stylist to the stars and reality television star in her own right (love her!!), say that well-manicured nails play an essential role in ones overall appearance and how one is perceived by others. I’ve always loved pampering my hands (even sleeping in those special gloves after dunking them in an overnight moisturizer when I young. Is that normal?!), so I believe that there’s some truth to this statement. It's true that when you meet someone, the first thing you do is shake hands, so don’t you want those hands to look as good as possible? While many people spend a pretty penny getting their nails done professionally, I choose to do them myself every Sunday. I’ve tried a plethora of products along the way, but I’ve found some essential products that work best.
If you’re unsure how to properly use these products, then please read my more detailed description below.

 
Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover can be found here or at Nordstrom department stores nationwide. ($18)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Tweezerman Pushy™ can be found here or where Tweezerman products are sold. ($17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Lippmann's Smooth Operator Four-Way Nail Buffer can be purchased here or at Nordstrom department stores nationwide. ($12.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essie's 3-Way Glaze Base Coat can be purchase here or wherever Essie products are sold. ($8.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat can be purchased at Ulta Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. stores and at fine salons nationwide. ($10.00)

 

 

 

 

Basic Manicure

After removing all existing polish from nails with a non-acetone polish remover and cutting and shaping your nails as desired, put a few drops of Deborah Lippmann’s Cuticle Remover on your cuticle and gently pat the liquid deeper into the cuticle. Make sure some of the liquid also covers the entire nail. After a minute has elapsed, take the Tweezerman Pushy ™ stainless steel cuticle pusher, start at the tip of your nail and work your way gently down to the cuticle. The cuticle pusher does not harm or scratch the nail and you should use it to push the cuticles back and also to remove all residue and cuticle from your actual nail (you’d be surprised by how much is on there!). It’s important that you’re very careful when pushing your cuticles back. Make sure to push them back only slightly and stop if you feel any irritation. NEVER ever use clippers to cut your cuticles unless it’s absolutely necessary. I know that many manicurists cut cuticles instead, but this is dangerous. It not only weakens the health of your nails, but this is also how you can get infections. Remember Paula Abdul's scary hand infection that was caused by a botched manicure job a few years back?

Once all cuticles are cleaned up, you may occasionally  want use a four-way nail buffer, if your nails aren’t as smooth as you'd like. Deborah Lippmann makes a great one of these called “Smooth Operator,” but really any four-way buffer will do the trick.  Only spend around five seconds per step, per nail. You never want to over-buff your nails.

When you’re done buffing, head to the sink, grab a nail brush (any kind will do), put hand soap on the nail brush and scrub all possible remnants of nail polish remover, cuticle remover and nail dust from the buffer off of your nails. When you're done scrubbing your nails, make sure they’ve been thoroughly dried and then head back over to your hard surface.

It’s really important that one layer of a clear base is applied before you apply polish. Otherwise, your nail polish won’t stay on as long and, depending on the intensity of your polish color, it might even seep into your actual nail. My favorite base is made by Essie and is called “3-Way Glaze.”  You can also use this product as a top coat, but I find it works better as a base only.

You should usually apply two coats of color polish, one coat on each nail on one hand, one coat on each nail on the other hand and then repeat.  It's imporant that you don't put both coats on right away, because you want to allow the first coat to dry a little bit before applying the second coat.  Depending on the nail polish you're using, you may need to apply a third layer for more coverage or for a richer color.  Once ten minutes have elapsed after applying your last color layer, apply one layer of top coat. Seche Vite Top Coat is by leaps and bounds the best top coat around. It goes on smooth as glass and it leaves the most beautiful, strong and glossy finish on my nails.

Being patient enough to let your nails dry is definitely the hardest part of doing your own manicure. I suggest watching a television program or listening to music while they dry for a half hour before attempting any other activities. After about an hour or so you should moisturize your cuticles and hands using special cuticle oil, hand cream or just basic body lotion. Some prefer to do this during the manicure process, but it's easier for most to moisturize afterwards, because it's all too easy for the chemicals in the lotion to interfere with the polish...even when you're careful.

Expect future posts highlighting favorite nail polish colors (so you aren't as hilariously overwhelmed as Ellen DeGeneres was), but the best nail polish brands in terms of quality and color selection are Chanel, OPI and Essie. The first can be found wherever Chanel makeup products are sold and the latter two can be purchased online, in high-end salons and at most Ulta Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. stores.

You're now welcome to shake my hand whenever you'd like. Enjoy your manicure!

It's important to do your nails near an open window or even outside (if the weather is nice), because most nail polish products are toxic and you shouldn't be breathing them in for an extended period of time.

Written by Kaisa Talaga