AT HOME MANICURE ESSENTIALS

Aug 9, 2017

I love nothing more than to sit down, relax, and have a little me time. On Monday, my post was all about 10 Self-Care Ideas. One of those ideas on my list was to paint your nails. I always feel so fancy when my nails are painted pretty, but the nail salon every 2 weeks was getting a little expensive for me. Once I started blogging full-time, I decided to start doing my nails at home on a regular basis. Today, I'm sharing all of my favorite essentials that give me (and will give you!) the perfect at home manicure.


The Essentials // 

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Pictured above are all of the essentials that I used for this super easy manicure. The items that I have linked are slightly different for a few of them simply because the packaging has changed. They also discontinued the Wet n Wild Nail Polish, and I had no idea, so I linked a similar inexpensive one for you!

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Of course you're going to want to prep your nails before you begin applying color. I will usually clean my nails with the Acetone Nail Polish Remover, file my nails making them my desired shape, and finish the nail prep stage by clipping my cuticles. For me, clipping my cuticles makes a huge difference and it keeps the skin around your nails healthier looking. I will even trim my nails down with them as well, because they are so much sharper and stronger than my nail clippers. Plus, it's what my girl does for me in my nail salon. I'm just trying to be extra fancy like her! ;)  


Yay! It's time to paint your nails! I have become obsessed with OPI Start to Finish. It is a base coat, top coat, and strengthener in one. I have been using this for a little over six months and you only need the thinnest coat on each nail. 

For my manicure look that I created today, I decided to have a little fun. I'm practicing different mani's that I could do for the beach and I thought a little sparkle accent nail would be cute! I will usually do two coats of each color, allowing them to dry in between coats. It obviously doesn't matter what color(s) you choose to use, as long as you love them!

*Tip: Paint your thumbs last. This allows you to use your thumbs to clean up the nail polish that may have gotten on your skin! It saves so much time, too. Just keep a cotton round nearby with acetone on it, and you can wipe the polish off your thumb as you do your polish clean up!

Once I have two coats of each color on my designated nails, I moisturize my hands with Amazing Grace Hand Cream. If you want to give yourself the at home spa experience, give yourself a mini hand massage while rubbing in the lotion!


What are some of your favorite mani colors?! I would love your suggestions. Anyone else SO ready for fall colors? I cannot wait.

Stay Classy, 
xx, 
Kristen

16 comments

  1. My go-to colors are pale pinks and burgundy reds. I'm trying to find my go-to color that I can stick with forever! I haven't tried that hand cream before - I'm going to have to check it out.

    xx
    The Felicia Renee | a minimalist lifestyle & beauty blog

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  2. Have you tried Essie Gel Couture! They seem to last longer on my nails. I wish they offered more colors!

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  3. Beautiful nails and I love the pop of sparkle! Great tips too- I would have need thought to paint the thumbs last!

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  4. Your nails look amazing! I love doing my nails at home since it's a little difficult to go have them done all the time. It usually doesn't last long since I'm always doing dishes, cleaning, etc, but those first few days always make me happy. Maybe I'll try that OPI strengthener! Thanks!

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  5. I really love OPI's base coats - all of them work amazing. I need to do my nails this weekend sooo badly.

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  6. Your nails look amazing! Totally want to learn how to do mine haha.

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  7. I don't know why I never thought to do my thumb last! That is brilliant because it is the one I always bump! I prefer nude colors because I'm so bad at keeping up with my nails and it shows chips the least :)

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  8. I love the idea of a base and top coat in one, so handy! I painted my nails this week and actually took the time to sit down and take my time and it was so worth it because they have lasted so much longer! Usually I'm waaay too impatient.

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  9. I love the look of the one accent glitter nail!!

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  10. I'm a go-to Essie girl!!! Right now I'm back and forth between "cute as a button" and "French affair"

    Xxox
    Laura @ www.cookwineandthinker.com

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  11. I so love Essie and pale pinks!! Such a great post and so helpful!

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  12. I totally prefer to do my own manicures at home! I love the colors you have!

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  13. I love white nails and also dark nails. I can't wait for fall!

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  14. Okay, I want those OPI colors right now. I've been on the hunt for the perfect super pale pink. I love giving myself at home manicures and I need to get some of these supplies!

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  15. This is such a cute manicure! I'm definitely going to try a solid and glitter nail combo after this!

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  16. This post came at the perfect time for me! I'm trying to stop biting my nails and hope keeping them painted will help. Thanks!

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