Longer-Lasting Manicures

Are you wondering if there really is a chip-free polish?  Well there isn't.  Don't get me wrong though, there is a gel lacquer that is considered to be chip-free but for those that are looking for a more natural alternative to a longer-lasting, not gonna chip in two days, manicure- then follow these simple steps...

1. Start of by giving yourself a mini-manicure: apply cuticle treatment CND a.h.a. Cuticle Eraser .5 oz., then gently push back cuticles, filing nails to desired length and shape, then buffing. Don't use a coarse buffer though, one that has a 180 grit or higher will do. Clean off dust particles, then follow up with massaging cuticles with CND SolarOil Cuticle Treatment .5 oz. , then wash your hands. Apply hand cream Aveda Hand Relief 4.2oz / 125ml.

2.  Prepping your nails for polish: This is a crucial step in preserving your polish because if the nail bed is not properly cleaned before applying polish, it won't adhere properly, which will cause peeling or chipping...not want we're tying to achieve here.  OK so, spray nails with alcohol - I prefer spray as opposed to wiping, the direct contact is much more efficient - my fav brand is from Sally Beauty supply stores, it has a cherry-almond scent, much more desirable than the hospital aroma usually associated with alcohol. Wipe with a lint-free wipe. This is important too because you don't want those pesky "fuzzies" interfering with your paint job.  Lastly, apply  OPI Bond-aid Ph Balancing Agent 1oz  which hydrates nail bed but assures all access oil is removed.

3. Applying Polish Coats: After your prep work is done now you can begin polishing.  Start with your base coat Creative Nail Design Stickey Base Coat 0.5 Oz. Be sure to cap the free-edge of the nail, this is VERY IMPORTANT with each coat, it will ensure your chip-freeness!  Follow with your desired nail color and honestly I don't believe any brand of nail color is better than the other, what matters the most is your prep work, base and top coat but most importantly, how each coat is applied...CAP YOUR EDGES!  Also, don't use thick layers or thick polish.  The exception to this rule however is with the top coat Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat .5 fl oz , this is the bestest top coat EVER! This coat should be applied generously.  Wait about 5-10 minutes and nails will be dry to the touch, however the under layers are not quite dry but no fear...take your Solar Oil I suggested earlier and apply to each nail; gently rub oil over nail and your safe to be carefully mobile without any smudging.

4.  Daily Care:  After initial application of polish, apply your top coat once daily.  This will preserve the brilliance of the polish and ensure no chipping.  After 7 days however you'll want to completely remove and start over...too many layers will begin peeling.

So there you have it, all the steps and products you need for an awesome manicure that everyone will think you went to the salon for...go ahead, you totally get bragging rights, here! =)

Must Have Manicures This Season

Step out of the box with these two trends in talons:

The Moon Manicure
Step 1. Start with an opaque white lacquer (try Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail color in Whirlwind White ) and apply one coat over the entire nail and wait for it to completely dry.

Step 2. Using a semicircular French-manicure stencil sticker (try Orly French Manicure Tip Guides), block off the bottom third of your nail.

Step 3. Paint two coats of black (try Essie nail polish in Licorice) from the stencil to the tip of the nail. Once it dries, peel off the sticker and finish with a shine-enhancing top coat over the entire nail.

The Ombre Manicure
Subtle shade-shifting gives hands a cool and pretty effect. The best part? All you need are two shades to create your own custom ombre sensation.
Step 1. What you'll need: a deep purple polish (try OPI nail lacquer in Give Me Moor), a creamy white polish (like OPI nail lacquer in Alpine Snow), five clean pots (or disposable plates), and toothpicks to mix.

Step 2. Pour out four dime-size blobs of the dark purple, and add small increments of white to each one, creating a gradation of hues.

Step 3. Beginning with the original shade on your pinkie, paint each nail a different color.

Have fun with it and try different colors and graduate them also.

"No-Chip" Manicure Revolution

OK, so I'm not the average consumer complaining that my manicure doesn't last any longer than five days (if I'm lucky)...I'm a licensed nail technician, therefore I'm real lucky if I can get my polish to look decent for ONE DAY!

Constantly having my hands and nails succumb to the hazards of my profession ie: acetone, gels, acrylics, water, etc...it's no wonder why I don't polish my nails AT ALL. So if there was a miracle polish that never chipped, it would be an answer to my prayers...OK, I really didn't pray for a miracle, no-chip polish but you get my point.

Then a co-worker of mine introduced me to the 'no-chip" manicure, she had recently received one and was raving about it. Next thing I know, my boss has a class scheduled for all nail techs to learn this new concept. I was ecstatic! I love learning new techniques and we all need to learn to grow, right?

Here it goes: OPI has a new "soak-off gel lacquer" in, currently, 26 of their hottest and most popular shades...Lincoln Park After Dark, Russian Navy (my personal fav) I'm Not Really A Waitress, Bubble Bath, Pompeii Purple and so on... So when you apply polish there's a base coat, two coats of color, followed by your top coat - same concept here except each layer is cured by an ultraviolet light, which forms a lasting bond with the nail that won’t chip. Plus, “they can actually help some women grow their nails, by providing a protective cover,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, cofounder of O.P.I....I love Suzi :-)

It's been a week since my "no-chip" manicure (guess what color I chose first) and besides outgrowth at the cuticle, it looks just as fresh as if I just walked out of the salon. Now you're wondering about removal, right? Well, that's a simple and painless process too: just a light filing of the top layer, then a soak in acetone for 15 minutes and voilà, you're ready to pick out a new shade!

One definition of revolution means a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something...it's time we "revolutionize" our way of thinking, of what a traditional manicure should be...toss out the notion that it can only last a few days, there's a new Mayor in town and her term is indefinite...

...Welcome to no-chip happiness, Ladies!