Maintain your Mani

I couldn’t have said it better myself Audrey! Everyone knows I am the Queen of Nails - I’m literally letting my nails dry as I’m blogging this entry.) There is nothing like a fresh paint job to give you that extra boost of confidence. I have had about every color, shape, design and style there is. Even though I’m all about the hottest trends to cure my fingertip fetish, I’m also big on happy and healthy nails.

I have always had a strong nail bed and kept my nails healthy. I think it’s because
I didn't get my first full-set (acrylic w/ the tips) or until I was 18-19 years old. I wasn’t even allowed to get an overlay (acrylic over natural nails). Since I had these limitations, I was able to keep my nails healthy, at home & on a budget. Here are some tips & tricks:

• Get a manicure at least once a month: It’s maintenance – like getting an oil change for your car or a deep conditioning for your hair. This is something you can get done for $10-&15 at a local nail salon or do at home with the assistance of YouTube. I switch off months – I do mine at home one month then I go get a professional one next month.

• Use gloves when cleaning and washing dishes – Protecting your nails is important. Gloves prevent polish from chipping & keeps from weakening your nail beds and cuticles from the chemicals that are cleaning products.

• Don’t bite nails – Germs! Gross! Ewww! Just don’t it!

• Soak off your acrylic nails – DON’T PICK THEM OFF! This has to be one of my biggest nail pet peeves I see girls do! This is unsanitary and very bad for your nails. You could actually rip your nails. I think a $5 bottle of pure acetone and soaking them for 30-45 minutes is worth having nice nails … Don’t you?

• Know when to say when – As far as acrylic nails and overlays, you have to know when to throw in the towel. When I have full sets, I generally get no more than 4 fill-ins (the application between your nail cuticle and the grow-out portion of your artificial nail) then I soak them off. Bacteria can build up in-between fills so it’s essential to let your natural nails have time to breathe for a week or so.

• Have Fun with them!! – I like to think of my nails as 10 little accessories. They show my personality and my mood for the week. When I want them long – I get them long. When I want them short – I get them short. Never second guess what you want when it comes to your nails. I’ve never regretted going with my first instinct!