Prepping Hands and Feet for Polish and Making It Last

Photo compliments of freedigitalphotos.net

The thing about nail polish, not gel nor pink and white nor glue on nails but real nail polish, is that application of simple nail polish tends to not last. How frustrating right? Especially when you pay the salon to put it on. After three days, it starts to chip and then there goes $15 down the drain. 

My advice? If you are not paying for gel or artificial nails, why not do it at home? You can create as good a manicure and/or pedicure at home without paying the big bucks. As for the gel or artificial nails? If you have the budget to invest in good tools and polish, go for it, but paying for the service may actually save you time and money.

Let's take a look at some tips and tricks to prepping your hands and feet to make them beautiful, soft and flawless and the necessary products to help maintain and prolong your nail polish.

Prepping Your Nails
I always like to see how professionals provide their service. Hairstylists, makeup gurus and nail experts all have it down pat! Why not learn why you’re paying for the service? 

Whenever I go to get my nails done, and believe me it isn’t very often, I’m in dire need. I have a tendency to get caught up in the daily grind and not take care of my hands and feet as well as I should. So when I do go, I pay for the deluxe package where they apply a sea salt scrub, massage lotion, apply paraffin wax, another layer of lotion, hot stone massage, another layer of lotion and then finally the manicure or pedicure. 

While this may sound tedious, all these steps aren’t necessary. Let’s check it out:

Apply a sea salt scrub and gently exfoliate the skin. I went to our local Ulta and purchased the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Tropical Mango. It smells absolutely delicious. I tried to eat it... just kidding!!!Exfoliate just your feet or your whole body, making sure to pay extra attention to the rougher skin areas such as heels, knees and elbows! Make sure to rinse well.

Apply a body butter. To compliment the sugar body scrub, I paired it with the Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Tropical Mango also. Massage it in, give yourself a little pampering. If you are able to convince them, have your significant other give you a little assistance! Make sure to really massage it in and again, paying extra attention to the more calloused areas.

Apply a cuticle oil or push back the cuticle and snip it away. Be careful not to cut too deep and cause bleeding.

Apply alcohol to a cotton bud and lightly wipe your nails to remove any existing oils that will decrease the polish from sticking onto your nails.

Apply a base coat. Please invest well in the base and top coats. You get what you pay for!

Apply the nail polish, starting with a straight line down the middle of the nail and then on each side. Repeat twice. Remove any stray polish lines with an Q tip dipped in acetone.

Apply a top coat.

Provide ample time to dry.

Spritz on nail drying aerosol to help seal it in.

And viola, you should have a pretty good looking set of feet and hands.