Bank Holiday Manicure

There’s something therapeutic about spending time giving yourself a manicure, don’t you think? I’ve always had a thing about well-groomed nails. The second I get a tiny chip or if they start to look worn at the tips I have to repaint them. As much as I can be pretty lazy when it comes to makeup, I probably do border on obsessive when it comes to my nails.

Sunday nights are normally my manicure night (or Monday night with it being a bank holiday). Before I have a bath, I rip cotton pads into quarters, soak them with nail polish remover then pop them on my nails for a minute or so to remove the nail polish I already have on. This is great for taking everything off in the one wipe so you’re not rubbing at your nails, which can damage them. It also means that you’re not as likely to get your fingers stained if you’re wearing a darker colour. We’ve all been there - it’s a nightmare.

Once everything is off I use the China Glaze Orange Cuticle Oil, massaging it on the bare nail bed and into the cuticles. I leave it on while I’m in the bath to allow it to soak into my nails. Once I’m out, I file my nails using the OPI crystal nail file. I’ve really noticed a big difference in the condition of my nails going from a standard nail file to the crystal one; I don’t get anywhere near as many tears or peeling. I tend to file them into a square/oval shape. I always think it looks very lady-like and there’s less chance of breakage or tearing then with a square or a point.

After I’m happy with the shape, I squeeze some of the Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover along my cuticles and leave it for a minute or so then gently push everything back. I find it useful to have a tissue on hand to wipe away any excess Cuticle Remover and also in case any cuticle needs buffed away. I’ll wash my hands and then give my nails another wipe with some nail polish remover to make sure there’s no residue and it also dehydrates the nails which makes nail polish adhere to the nails a bit better.

I’m a big believer in a base coat, 2 thin coats of colour and a top coat. My base coat of choice is OPI Nail Envy. This is my third bottle! Not only do I use this as my base coat, but once a month, I apply this every day for a week as a treatment. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about this product, but I personally couldn’t recommend this anymore. I’ve yet to find another nail product which has helped the overall strength and condition of my nails like Nail Envy.

I used Essie’s Status Symbol here, a recent purchase while Boots had the 3 for 2 offer on (it's currently on 3 for 2 in Superdrug). It’s a bright pink colour, but it’s not too bright. It’s like a baby sister to Essie Watermelon, which is probably my most worn nail colour. I love how the brushes with Essie polishes fan out, usually I can cover one nail with one stroke. It also means that you can get a nice neat curve at the top of the nail near the cuticle.

After 2 thin coats of colour it’s Seche Vite time. I love Seche Vite (another product I’ve repurchased a few times), it dries so quickly, the staying power is fab and it gives such a gorgeous glossy finish. Finally, I leave that to try for 10 minutes or so (purely because I’m paranoid), then pop some more Cuticle Oil to finish everything off.

And there we have it, nice neat nails!

What are your at home manicure tips?