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
