Apr 12, 2020

Simple Self Nail Care

Essie Treat Love & Color Sheers To You swatch

Happy Easter!

For sure, this gotta be the strangest Easter ever. My church has been closed for some time now and there is no choir since we have been observing Sundays online. I usually have a chamber concert around this time of year and we were going to perform excerpts from the Haydn's Creation but that was canceled as well. Still, I feel grateful and won't lose my faith that we are going to get through this. For one thing, nature seems to be doing much better these days.

I hadn't worn any nail polish over 3 weeks but I finally felt like polishing my nails yesterday. As you see in the photo, my hands are quite dry with all that handwashing. Bright red or vampy colors would have made my hands visibly look smoother but I still wasn't feeling them so I went with a sheer nude polish that doubles as a nail hardener. 

Oh, and those rings? I only wore them for photoshoots. Wearing rings is not exactly recommended in the current situation.



how to do your own manicure

Like it or not, we have to be more self-sufficient these days. I know many of you are baking bread and coloring your own hair. I thought I might as well touch upon doing one's own nails. Flexibility is quite important because you have to reach your own toes so maybe you want to invest in a good yoga mat (I am half-joking, but seriously). Other than that, these are my favorite items to use to tackle rough cuticles and maintain healthy nails.

  • Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil - This deliciously fragrant oil is handy when you want to gently push back cuticles. Sometimes, I brush this oil all over my nails and let it soak. My nails look instantly lustrous and healthier. 
  • Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Exfoliator - This is an excellent cuticle softener. It even works on tough cuticles on my toenails with zero irritation. With this, you can get a result very close to a professionally done pedicure!
  • Essie Treat Love & Color - If you like using a nail hardener, this would be a perfect solution because it is nail polish and strengthener in one bottle. It comes in various colors and finishes but I highly recommend Sheers To You which is a sheer nude pink with fine opalescent shimmer. 
  • Essie Gel Couture Top Coat - This is my favorite top coat. It's priced right and works on any other nail polish not just on Essie's Gel Couture line. I like that it doesn't thicken so quickly like Seche Vité (which was my previous choice for a topcoat).

Not pictured, but I like Japonesque Men's Nail Clipper Set that I recently bought (they are just nice regular nail clippers but in a cool matte black finish). I also take MSM supplements for hair and nails and it seems to be helpful because my nails grow out very quickly and haven't broken in a long while.


Essie Sheers To You swatch
Wearing 2 coats of Essie Treat Love & Color in Sheers To You


Hope you enjoyed this post! What are some of your favorite essentials for self-grooming?


*The items mentioned in this post were purchased by me. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you if you choose to use them.



Join the conversation!

  1. My idea of self grooming is mostly plucking my (uni) brow and doing clown bright lipstick at home...

    Your rings are adorable!

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    1. Having less to do is so much better, of course. I am grateful that I don't have to cut cuticles on my finger nails. That would be so much work! I still like getting pedicures because of the massage (I always add extra...). :)

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  2. Oooh I love this nude shade. I've always done my own nails as I've had bad experiences with nail technicians in the past. The coming months are going to be very interesting indeed. I usually get my lashes and hair extensions done. These will be hanging on for as long as they can before I have to take them out hahaha! I'm also trying to find a way to colour my greys in as my usual appointment is coming up at the end of the month and seemingly hair salons are closed. But this is all manageable and I'm lucky that this is all I have to "complain" about really.

    Stay safe
    Sxx
    daringcoco.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Sonia :) I forgot to mention that the Essie Sheers To You applies very easily, too! Give it a try when you spot one. I had my hair done right before the isolation period started so my hair is technically okay..but I got bored and tried a very dark hair gloss and ended up ruining my bathtub! And, you're so right - finding a good nail technician is so hard although we have so many salons in NYC. I did find a wonderful technician and I miss her. It must be difficult being out of work so suddenly. You, too, take care and stay safe! <3

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  3. Ah very cool and helpful, thanks for posting :)

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Allie. Thank you! Hope you're doing well <3

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  4. I love that natural nail polish color! I painted my nails once, but I'm kind of bored of my selection of nail polish at home so I'm not really enticed to do it again. I was thinking of ordering some box hair dye to color my hair for a little pamper session, though!

    Mai
    ✰ maidoesthings.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Mai! Thanks for commenting. And, I am so glad that I have found your blog! :D I think nail polish is a genre(?) on its own and you either like doing it or now. For me, I've always liked painting my nails but never gotten into nail art, for example. Speaking of hair dye, I've recently tried a few semi-permanant gloss from Kristin Ess and like them quite a bit (although the black one totally ruined my tub and I need to reglaze it once this stay-home things is over!).

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