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Spring Mani: Turquoise & Caicos

It's Tuesday & at home mani day! 

I have a nail routine I want to share,  I am and have been completely obsessed with it for awhile now. It's budget friendly at home mani that has the perfect shine without the high gel product price tag! 

Let's get started!

For prep shape your nails with a nail file, depending on the amount of shaping you need determines your grit. I use a rough grit to get the shape and a mild one to smooth edges and separated layers. I do not ever use a nail clipper, that's just too much commitment! Ha, in all honesty, I hate the look it leaves! When you finally get your nail to your desired shape and smoothness, wash your hands, and dip those naked fingertips in some acetone. This removes any oils, lotions, dust, and whatever other residue that may cause your base not to stick! 

For the base, I use Sally Hansen Hard As Nails. This stuff gives your nails a gel-like base coat to make that polish stick! It also helps prevents any breakage and splitting layers.You could even just leave this solo if you want shine and need to build your nails back up! I usually apply all polishes starting with my right pinkie to the thumb and again on my left hand, I'm left handed so it's easier this way!
I love love love (did I stress that enough?!) LOVE Essie nail polishes! The quality, durability, and coverage of this brand is the best! They have the best colors and keep coming out with better and better! This Spring color is one of my favorites thanks to my sister! She created this at-home manicure addict! Now I cannot have anyone else do my manicures, I can't help if I'm the best! Anywho, this color is Turquoise and Caicos obviously inspired from the gorgeous waters and sky in the Turks and Caicos! A destination that is most definitely on my bucket list! Just a reminder for most Essie polishes, they usually are good after just 2 coats, some people say they use up to three but that's a little too thick for me! The first coat will be patchy and streaky, that's just how this polish is.
For the top coat and the very best part, I use Essie's Good to Go top coat! It is quick drying, which is what I need since I tend to be on the impatient side. It has the best quality with durability and a gel-like shine. This is a one coat wonder kind of deal!
This whole routine usually take me about 30 minutes and then I'm "good to go" ha! Polish usually last about a week and a half at best but I am hard on my nails so they don't last that long normally. All of these products equal out to about $20. Essie polishes aren't the cheapest since they are about $8.99 a pop, but you can purchase them at any drugstore and they last a long while! Quality wins over quantity in this case!

Enjoy your gorgeous nails!
..xobb

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