Tag: nails

How to make your manicure last longer

When ladies get their nails done, they want them to last forever and chipped nails/worn-out manis can scare the living daylight out of them. We understand that in a perfect world, manicures would last for as long as we’d want them to but alas, it does not work like that. However, with a couple of simple steps you can make your manicure last longer. We have got you covered. Whether you choose simple nail paints or some creative nail art, follow these directions to always maintain no-fail nails. Take a look at these easy tips and tricks that can help you make your manicure last longer.

#1 Prime your nails with a base coat

Always use a base coat to prime your nails, using a base coat allows the selected colour to stay on the nail. It also protects the nail from any stains that a darker polish may leave. Also, the hardeners in most base coats can improve the overall health of the nail, therefore allowing it to grow according to your preference. Paint two layers of base coat; one on the top half of your nail and the second coat over the entire nail. This will help keep the polish on the tips of your nails from chipping.

#2 The top coat is as important as the base coat

Adding a top coat to your mani is also equally important. A top coat is absolutely necessary to seal the colour to get the perfect gloss finish. Apart from setting the polish and providing your polish the staying power for weeks, it also prevents your nails from chipping. Added bonus? It protects your nails from ultraviolet rays of sun giving them a beautiful sheen.

#3 Moisturise your nails

It is a known fact that moisturising the skin does wonders for it then why leave the nails behind? When you have a nice manicure, take extra time to use hand lotion with ingredients like glycol, macadamia oil, cocoa butter and more. The more moisturised your skin is, the longer your manicure would stay. Also, maintain your cuticles because dry hands are one thing, but dry cuticles just take the shabby game up many notches. Keep your nail beds healthy and your manicure alive for longer by moisturising them regularly. Cuticle oil is the perfect way to achieve this because it contains nutrients like Aloe Vera and vitamin E that help resist breakage and promote nourished nails.

#4 File and Buff

Filing and buffing plays a very important role in making your manicure last longer. It allows the nails to remain healthy and prevents breakage. Invest in a four-sided buff, file, polish and shine block and believe us, it will improve your nails instantly. Make sure to file your nails in one direction; this way your nails won’t feather and the application of your polish will look better and last longer. Buffing helps in smoothing out the bumps on your nails and allows the polish to lay flat preventing it from cracking due to the small dips and dents in your nails.

#5 Maintenance

The maintenance is also important in between manicures. Reckless weather, washing hands and showering can also make your manicure worse. Everyone knows the two coats of paint rule but to protect from wear and tear, add a layer of top coat every day or every other day. Doing so will keep your nails fresh and turn your mani days into weeks. The extra layer adds a glossier look and you won’t have to worry about removing your nail polish frequently.

#6 Do not miss the edges

Don’t skip the ‘free edges’ of your nails. Most of us miss out applying nail paint till the edge of our nails and that makes way for chipped paint. Run the base coat, paint, and top coat to the top edge or even the inner edge of your nails to ensure your entire nail is sealed. Wait for each coat to settle before you apply the next. This will make your manicure last longer.

#7 Eat healthy

Last but certainly not the least; eat healthy to keep your nails healthy. Add a lot of vitamins in your diet and supplements like B-12, Zinc and Iron to maintain healthy nails.

All images: Source1 Source2

January 28, 2016
3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish

You might have encountered two issues while applying glitter nail paint – Firstly, sometimes you want a lot of glitter coverage but too many layers can make your nail look too thick and take a while to dry. And secondly, when you use the brush to apply the glitter polish, the glitter often gets wiped off and you are left with bald patches and uneven coverage. Fret not, though. Janelle Estep has got you covered for both these issues. Yes, you can fix these issues with different tools and application techniques. Take a look at these 3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish with higher coverage and faster drying results.

Brush

The conventional way to apply glitter is by using the nail paint brush, of course. Simply dunk the brush in the bottle, wipe it off from the inner neck of the nail paint bottle and then quickly scoop up the glitter bits while the clear base drips down the neck. Now you just need to apply the glitter to your nails and that’s it.

This way you can get more glitter on the brush without the extra thick clear base.

Makeup Sponge

Makeup sponge can be used to apply nail paint as well. Apply glitter polish to the sponge (no need to worry about excess base) and just dab on to your nails.

The down side is that you can get glitter on your surrounding skin but that can be taken off with the nail polish remover, once you’re done.

The nice thing about using the makeup sponge is that you can get more glitter coverage and since the base is absorbed by the sponges, the layers will not get overly thick.

Q-tips

It’s easier to apply glitter with Q-tips than a sponge and if you don’t have sponge at home, you will definitely have this. Just deposit some glitter polish to the Q-tip and by using the dabbing motion, apply the glitter on to your nails.

This method helps a lot because you get more control over the Q-tip while applying glitter.

The disadvantage of using a Q-tip is that you may get stray fibres on your nails but you can remove those with your fingers or tweezers.

P.S.- You can also use a toothpick as well instead of Q-tips but that’s a more time-consuming process.

January 20, 2016
DIY: Colour Stain nail art

Try this fabulous colour stain nail art at home using your old nail paints and be ready to flaunt your nails in style. Take a look at this video to find out how.

You will need: Plain white nail paint, two coloured nail paints of your choice & a top coat paint.

Take a look at the steps:

Start off by applying two coats of white nail paint on to your nails.

Let it dry completely.

Now take any coloured paint and before applying it on to your nails, wipe off all the paint from the brush like this.

Gently apply these stain-like strokes to your nails and repeat the step with another colour.

Apply top coat to finish.

September 22, 2015
6 tasks you can accomplish while blow-drying your hair

Blow drying hair is as important as taking a shower for a woman. So spending 20-30 minutes holding a dryer in their hand is something almost all women have to make their peace with. However, for the multi-tasking woman of today, it’s very difficult not to accomplish anything else while all that water evaporates from her hair. We understand that feeling very well and that is why we’ve got you a list of recommendations.

Here are six tasks you can accomplish while blow-drying your hair on a daily basis.

1) Start following that face mask regime you’ve been wanting to since years

Haven’t you been procrastinating applying that face mask because of your fear of not being able to show your mask-ey face anywhere for 30 minutes? We say mix things up and blow dry your hair while that mask works wonders on your skin. Both skin and hair taken care of together! Sounds like an amazing start to a day, doesn’t it?

2) Work on your booty

We don’t always get time to work on our body. So why not utilise the blow-drying time towards doing some squats and making that booty look buff. Try it the next time and thank us.

3) Work those calves

If squats get boring everyday then keep switching between them and calf raises. Calf raises are very important to show off those legs and might we say, very easy too! Just rise up until you are on your toes, lower back down and repeat.

4) Get that teeth-whitening treatment out

Remember that teeth-whitening gel that needs to stay on your teeth for around half an hour? Make use of your blow-drying time to make your teeth look whiter. Apply the gel and leave it on while you do your hair. Easy peasy!

5) Let that pedicure dry

Every woman fears ruining her wet nail paint more than the world apocalypse. So before you start blow-drying your hair, give yourself a pedicure and let your nails and hair dry together.

6) Give the ‘apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure’ rule a shot

You know how every sunscreen label reads ‘apply all over thirty minutes before sun exposure’? Give that rule a shot! Apply your sunscreen lotion all over your face and body and blow-dry your hair after. Let the body soak in the sun protection while you dry your hair and exercise.

Remember this list of tasks you can accomplish while blow-drying your hair next time you’re at it and walk out of the house with a beautiful smile.

All GIFs sourced from giphy

Banner and featured images sourced from source1, source2 and source3

September 2, 2015
How to dry your nails in a New York minute

There are no two ways about the fact that women love to multitask. Getting two or more things done at the same time gives them a sense of accomplishment and rightly so. However, slowing down is something they don’t like even for very important things like waiting for their nail paint to dry. The important thing to understand here is that while your beautiful manicure will make you stand out in a good way, your smudged nails will surely grab some unwanted attention.

Flapping your hands sometimes becomes really irritating and annoying. So, avoid that little irritation with these tips that will help you dry your nails at a quicker pace. There’s no need to sit around and wait anymore, here are 5 ways that will help you dry your nails in a New York minute by cutepolish.

September 2, 2015