7 Easy steps to get beautiful healthy nails/a lasting manicure

1. Painting your nails constantly is never a good idea nails need to breathe fresh air once in a while. This is such a hard rule for me to follow since I’m such a nail art fanatic but each month I try to be nail polish free for at least a week. If you see your nails yellowing this is a cry for fresh air.

2. Never wet your hands before painting your nails water makes your nails expand which causes your nails to chip a lot faster.

3. Jojoba oil is really great for maintaining healthy nails, every chance you get massage lotions or any oil that you can get, if jojoba oil isn’t accessible to you. Usually I buy mine from Soap.com or Amazon.com any brand should be fine (my favorite is Now Foods but if I find any other on sale I just buy it) just make sure that you check the ingredients and it’s just 100% jojoba, grape seed, avocado, coconut or almond oil (my favorites). In class or on the subway if you don’t need to take notes take a minute to massage all of your nails with an oil or lotion. You will need to remove any excess oil off your fingernails before painting them to do this put a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe your nails down. Now if you aren’t going to paint them leaving the oil shouldn’t be a problem if it doesn’t bother you. I usually do it before bed or a bath.

4. Glass nail files are amazing they never need to be thrown out and it is easier to get the shape that you want with them.

5. If you wish for perfectly smooth nails buff them. When it comes to buffers I don’t think brand matters at all I’ve tried buffers from Sephora, Revlon, Sally Hansen and it is all the same! Now I just tend to look for the cheapest one.

6. Never forget the base or top coat. I’m a huge fan of the Sephora by OPI three in one top, base and strengthener.

7. Also always use acetone free nail polish remover. Acetone can be very drying. Butter Londonmakes a great one.

And there you have it! Pictured above are my own nails and products that I use. If you have any questions or advice leave me a comment please! I’m always more than happy to take some advice.

xx Ana