Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Time for Tuesday

My hands are very special to me. I use them ALL day at work and home. I use them to cut, color and style my clients hair, and I use them to clean, cuddle and nourish Clark. I use them to give Lincoln a head scratch (although, he would say I don't do it enough). I use my hands until they are sore, cracked and tired. I am sure you use your hands just as much. Are you taking care of your hands? I know I need to do a better job at keeping my hands looking good, but not just my hands, my nails too.
picture found here
I usually don't think about my nails, and before I know it, they are all grown out and looking ragged. I used to paint them once a week and keep them all short and trimmed. Now I don't seem to even think about my nails. I have been so inspired with all the great nail colors and polish ideas I am seeing on Pinterest these days. I want to dedicate this "time for tuesday" to painting your nails. Having polished nails makes such a difference in how I feel about the look of my hands. I have always complained that I have "man-hands." However, when they are all fresh and polished, I feel so much better about them.
picture found here

Is this not the coolest idea ever!!
picture found here
Tips on giving yourself a great manicure-
  1. Having a free edge (the part of the nail that grows past the nail bed) can cause your polish to chip faster. When the free edge bends, the paint chips and peals off. If your nails are shorter, your polish will last longer.
  2. A good top coal and bottom coat will totally keep your manicure going for much longer.
  3. Make sure your nails are clean and dry before you start to polish. Any oil or wetness on the nail bed will keep the polish from drying properly.
  4. Let your nails dry for a good 30-45 minutes before you do anything that might damage the paint. When you think they might be dry, touch two of your nails together, if they stick at all then they are still wet.

Now, I am sure I need to take some baby steps with getting back into painting my nails before I try anything as fancy as the nails in the pictures. But, I am sure these girls all started small too. I think just a little extra love for our hands and nails is all we need to make sure our digets stay looking and feeling there very best.

5 comments:

Sarah Heder said...

Love the pink and grey nails at the top!

I'm one step ahead of you! I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure on Saturday with a girlfirend, followed by lunch. It was wonderful! Mani/pedi's are so cheap in LA!

Amberlee said...

Just have to say that I am LOVING your blog! In the last month or so I have been painting my nails weekly. Its something that I actually look forward to and excited to try something new! Love your tips---I had no idea about the free edge and chipping--makes total sense.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips on nail painting. My nails chip like crazy. I'm not great at the waiting game.

Natasha and Jesse said...

I've never been one to paint my nails too much because I think they draw too much attention to my already big hands. But I'm very tempted to try this nail polish that Jo suggested for my wedding: http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/08/found-perfect-wedding-nail-polish.html

Lauryn Ashli said...

just found your blog. i am in love! love those nails.. seriously..TALENTED!
i'm a new follower!!
{love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com