One Product 3 Ways...Cuticle Oil

There isn't anything I love more in a beauty product than it having multiple uses!
Did you know cuticle oil can also be used for the following...

Halt Smudges
"Drop cuticle oil on each nail just after polishing. The oil makes nail surfaces slippery, serving as a buffer between the lacquer and any object that might tarnish it.
This works for pedicures too:
Immediately after applying top coat; add cuticle oil; then slip on sandals for a flaw-free trip home."
- Jaimi Brooks

Fix Smears
I can't even count how many times I have smeared my freshly painted polish! Actually I think I do it every time I get a manicure! Seriously what is wrong with me you would think I would have learned by now...
So if you are like me or maybe it just happens to you once in awhile Jaimi Brooks recommends brushing cuticle oil onto the nail and gently rub out creases with fingers.

Refresh Dull Polish
" A spot of cuticle oil adds a nice sheen to lackluster lacquer. It hydrates nails, while sinking into every nook and cranny to smooth out imperfections."
- Jaimi Brooks

All you need to know about dark nails...

Dark nail polish is still very in especially now that fall is here. But for anyone who has tried painting your nails yourself in any dark shade know it can be quite the task! I usually have polish all over my hands and smeared around my nail beds...so I usually have to call my sister over to paint them for me. So yes I needs some help with this one and I'm sure many others do too! So...Here are some tips for perfect dark nails!

Take Your Time...obviously right?!?
"Rather than polish the whole nail in one fell swoop, break the process down into at least 3 strokes: First, paint the center, then swipe along each side, keeping the coats thin to prevent chipping." Bethany Newell, N.Y.C. manicurist

Stay In The lines...just like coloring ;)
"For a finished, professional look, always leave a small space between the cuticle and the polish line."

Stop The Color From Bleeding
"Before removing polish, brush cuticle oil on each nail to avoid staining the base of the nail or fingers. The oil creates a barrier that keeps the color from penetrating the skin as you rub it away." - Tabitha Belesis, N.Y.C. manicurist


Source: InStyle Makeover

Nail Polish & Warm Weather...

So this past Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day... one which finally called for flip flops and shorts!! Well lets just say all those cold winter months and lack of pedicures really caught up to me. So I decided to give myself a little mani & pedi outside so I could soak up the sun as well. Well my sister came over and decided to join me...she kept telling me that if I paint my nails outside the polish will bubble!!! Well I did not listen and of course she was right!!!
After all the effort of trying to get perfect looking nails about 5 minutes later they were filled with bubbles and are in need for a redo!! booo....

So next time it's beautiful outside and polishing your nails outdoors comes to mind...don't do it!!

Grandma Said...

A great piece of beauty advise was given to me when I was about 10 years old by my Great Grandmother that always stuck with me. She told me...well more demanded(she wasn't always the nicest old lady) that I push back my cuticles with my finger tips every time after I wash my hands. At first I thought she was crazy...but I was 10 what did I know. But I started doing it in fear she would yell at me if she noticed I wasn't doing it! Well over the years I have noticed how nice my cuticles always are and I always get compliments anytime I go and get manicures. I very rarely have to cut my cuticles and push them back with a cuticle stick. After I wash my hands I just use my finger tips to push them back while they are still slightly damp. My cuticles always look nice and it makes the shape of my nails always look better too!

Biotin the Miracle Vitamin

After years of wearing acrylic nails I decided to break them all off and start growing out my nails so I could have nice natural nails. Well this was quite the process for me, every time I would get them just about the length I wanted them they would start chipping and breaking. So then I would have to file them all down and start over. This was becoming a real pain...so I went to my sister Krista who was just finishing up Cosmetology school at the time and she started telling me about a vitamin they learned all about in school.

The vitamin is called Biotin and it helps with the growth of hair and nails. I figured I would try it out it only cost a few dollars and it was carried at all the local drug stores and even Target, and Walmart. After a few weeks I really started noticing a difference not only with my nails but my hair too!!

I now have been religiously taking Biotin supplements since that day and I have to say my nails and hair grow like CRAZY! My nails are stronger than ever and my hair is actually thicker than it has ever been before too! I have been telling my friends about this vitamin for a while now so for those of you I have already informed if you haven't bought it already... do it now. But for anyone else that Krista or myself haven't told yet I just wanted to spread the word. And NO I am not selling this vitamin I just really love it!

For those of you who always forget to take their vitamins one thing that has helped me remember is to keep the bottle in my desk drawer at work and take my vitamins right after lunch.