DIY Manicure - Get Creative

Hola,

Happy Friday night my loves! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you're doing, that you're having a fabulous time. I've chosen to stay in tonight as I try and alternate my weekends between going out and staying in. Tonight it's the latter.

Since I'm in, I figured I'd write a quick random post...

So on Tuesday night I decided to do my own manicure. I usually do them myself as I feel I do a much better job than when I have them done at the nail salon. The only difference is that I don't get the pampering I would get when someone else is massaging my hands, etc. Another reason I do them myself is because for whatever reason, when I have them done at the salon, the color starts chipping the very next day and that just gets on ALL my nerves! Grrrr! However, lately I have been taking the easy road and just having my nails done at the salon. This is out of pure laziness and impatience and nothing else.

Now back to Tuesday night... I was supposed to attend an event the following evening and so I threw all laziness out the window and got right down to it. I had recently bought a new nail color by Essie and several weeks ago I purchased the cutest glitter by OPI. I figured it was time to make use of both. BTW, I adore adding glitter to my manicures. I think glitter is fun, cute, girly and eye-catching. Anyway, I wanted to share the outcome as I've gotten many compliments from my "creativeness." ;) ...Check it:

I pretty much go through the whole process myself.

1. File nails (usually square shaped).
2. Cut any hang nails and excess dry skin.
3. Soak in warm water (I add a few drops of lemon juice to strengthen nails)
4. Push back cuticles (never cut).
5. Thoroughly wash my hands and scrub off any excess dead skin.
6. Apply lotion.
7. Dab a Q-tip with some nail polish remover (without acetone) and swipe each nail to remove excess oils.
8. Ready to polish...

^^^

- Base coat: "Millionails" - by: Essie (Strengthens nails)

- Nail Color: "After School Boy Blazer" - by: Essie (two coats)

- Glitter: "Be Awesome" - by: Nicole by OPI

- Top Coat: "Good To Go" - by: Essie (Shines, Dries Super Quick, Prolongs Polish)

- Rings: Purchased at H&M

^^^

A Closer Look

Above is a closer look. Just so you know, this glitter was a bit hard to scoop out of the bottle which in a way made it better to strategically place them on my nails. I could only get about two or three on the brush at a time so that kind of helped for me to place them around the nail. Allow this coat to dry before applying the top coat to seal the color. My nails are still intact on day three. Usually by now they've started to chip.

So there you have it ladies... What do you think? I'm in love with this look and I think I will try it again next time. How creative do you get with your nails? I tend to do all sorts of designs. Glitter, stripes, two different shades, polka dots and one time I even did cute little flowers. It takes time and practice but it's so much fun and kind of relaxing for me. The other thing is that I LOVE bright colors especially in the spring and summer months. Do you ever do your own nails or do you prefer going to a nail salon? If you go to the salon, do you ask your manicurist to get creative or do you just polish and go? You all know the deal... comment below and let's share our fabulousness with each other. I'd love to hear your routine and/or how creative you get nowadays with all the fun ideas for fun and pretty manis. Go ahead comment below. Go! #engage

As always, thank you for stopping my "Open Closet."

Hasta Luego,

Gracias,

AnnaCris <3