My Current Nail Care Routine!

Hi everyone!

I get a lot of questions about my nail care on Instagram and YouTube, so I figured it was about time I let you all know my usual routine and go into detail about the products I use.

You can read about what I like to use in depth below, or just watch the video (at the end) for the basic tips and a little demo on how I file my nails.  I hope this answers some of your questions!

Now, my nails are by no means perfect; I am very happy with the shape and health of them at the moment, but the tips are still slightly yellow from wearing so much polish. :( 

Just a little disclaimer before I begin though - I have had a vegan diet for many years now (no animal or dairy products), so I'm not sure if that changes anything, I just thought I should include it since not everything will work the same for everyone.

First up, nail polish remover:  I only use non-acetone to remove my polish, Beauty Secrets Non-Acetone is my favorite.  The only exception is when I clean up around my cuticles because I use a brush dipped in Beauty Secrets Pure Acetone to get a cleaner line.  Sidenote: I always use "lint-free cotton rounds" to remove my polish; I can't stand cotton balls!

Filing / buffing:  I never cut my nails .. ever.  Instead, I file my nails every few days with a glass (or crystal) file before applying fresh polish.  My nails grow extremely fast, so I have to file them often or they get out of control.  When it comes to buffing, I will buff a tiny bit here and there, but it's definitely not healthy to over-buff your nails.

Cuticles:  I have super dry skin from head to toe, so I am constantly applying creams and oils throughout the day.  A favorite for years has been Badger Cuticle Care, a cuticle balm.  I massage and push back my cuticles regularly (no tools, removers, or cutting involved), and make sure they are always nice and moisturized if they are looking dry.  I love to use a moisturizer with shea butter on my hands and cuticles because it's so rich and I don't have to reapply as often.

Base coats:  If I'm going for long-wear, my favorites are CND Stickey or Chanel's Protective Base Coat.  I have multiple backups of Stickey because it works well and it's reasonably priced.  The Chanel is of course a high end product so I use it sparingly (mostly under my Chanel's), but it's the only thing I've really found to be long lasting that also keeps my nails at their whitest.

If I am just swatching or don't expect to wear a polish for very long, I will grab whatever base coat I'm trying to use up.  Lately, I've been grabbing a Julep base coat, or Essie's Grow Faster.  The wear time on the Essie is not great, but it does seem to actually make my nails grow faster, so I would recommend it for those of you who have a hard time growing your nails.

Polishes:  I prefer to use mostly 3-free or 5-free, but I have been changing my polish so often lately that it hasn't been a big deal.  If you're wondering, a few of my favorite brands (in general) are Chanel, Jin Soon, Essie, Color Club, Enchanted Polish, and Elevation Polish.  I could list so many more though!

Top coats:  I have been using inm Out the Door for quite some time now.  I've tried many different top coats over last few years but I always come back to it.  It dries fast, wears well for me, and doesn't seem to get thick or smell awful like some others.  I also really like a-England The Shield, but it can be harder to get so I usually just stick with my OtD.

Additional tips / info:  I always have polish on my nails to keep them strong; honestly, I never even leave the house without at least a base coat on so they do not split or break.  However, if a nail happens to break, I will patch it with some nail glue and a teabag, or use the Orly Nail Rescue kit.  I also always carry a spare glass file in my handbag wherever I go.

Here is the video I put together for my nail care:

Let me know if you have any other questions, or tips & tricks for keeping your nails white; that's one thing I am still working on!

Thank you for reading, especially if you made it this far! :)


Kristin