Sunday 20 May 2012

How To: Easy Manicure ft. Essie & OPI.



Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover 

I've never been a massive fan of painting my nails, I find it a chore and I'm always looking for ways to speed up the process whilst also keeping my nails in good condition.
Naturally, I think my cuticles and nail beds are pretty good, but I do like to use this Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover (I'm not sure if you can still buy this, but there are a lot of products out there that do a similar job) to remove cuticles before I start on my nails. It basically dissolves the cuticles, I use a stick for pushing cuticles back to remove the excess cuticles (grim) which really makes all the difference and helps my nails to look and grow better.
Lush's Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter ensures my cuticles look healthy and moisturised. This pot will last forever, it's huge! You really only need the smallest amount.

My nails are prone to flaking and nail polish chips extremely quickly on me, meaning I have to paint my nails regularly. I bought OPIs Nail Envy at the start of the year and I can honestly say it's one of the best products I've used on my nails. I have the Matte version, rather than the original, and it makes my nails look so healthy and natural looking - for the first time in years I'm happy to wear polish-free nails. If you need something to help make nails stronger and grow quicker, then you must try this. My nails are so much healthier and rarely flake. I use this before I paint my nails as a base coat but you're meant to paint over your polish every day, but I find this is unnecessary for me.

I bought OPIs Chip Skip a couple of weeks ago after hearing a few nail technicians talking about it. It was used on my nails by a nail technician and the polish lasted so long, I was so impressed that I purchased it. I've only used this a couple of times but I can notice a massive difference. It's not a base coat, it's actually a fluid you apply first which removes any dirt or oils from your nails which means the polish sticks and holds better and is less likely to chip. It's a really incredible product and my nail polish has been on since Tuesday - it's now Sunday and my nails are completely chip free. Even tip-wear is really minimal.
This is definitely another must have product, if you find your nails are chipping constantly, then get this on them!

The Bourjois 1 Second Magic Nail Polish Remover has been a talked about product in recent weeks. I bought this a few weeks ago and I wasn't all that phased about it but I liked that it was handy and as I travel an unhealthy amount, I thought it would come in handy. I think '1 Second' is slightly optimistic but it really speeds up the process. Basically, it's a pot with a polish remover-soaked sponge inside, you simple stick your nail in, twist it a bit and your polish is gone. No mess, it smells nice and leaves nails looking healthy. Definitely something to pick up if you can get hold of it.

Lastly, my absolute favourite nail polish brand at the moment is the Essie diffusion line (I talk about it a bit more in my latest video), the polishes are slightly smaller and have a different formulation to the usual Essie range. They're also slightly cheaper at £7.99 and can be found in most Boots and Superdrug stores.
I picked up these four colours and I adore them - Tart Deco, Splash of Grenadine, Mint Candy Apple and Lilacism. I can't wait to pick up a few more shades as the colour range is incredible!

So there we go, my favourite nail products at the moment! What nail products do you recommend?  

32 comments:

  1. Lovely tips and the Essie nail polished you chose look great :)
    I find that Nail Envy works amazing as a top coat too, my manicure lasts for ages when I apply it before and after the nail colour (it's like it creates a plastic coat on top of your nails), though I have only used the original formula for that and am clueless about how would the matte one work!
    Isabela

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  2. I need to try that Chip Skip. Those Essie polishes are beautiful! x

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  3. I haven't tried a cuticle remover. any other brand you can recommend? i dont think ive seen that one. maybe i should try swapping for it.. -Loving Sunshine

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  4. Really enjoyed this post as I am always on the hunt for new products to help my less than perfect nails! I bought the Tart Deco Essie after seeing it on your blog and am looking forward to trying it, I am obsessed with the Essie diffusion line I think the brush is bloody amazing!

    Becky

    Beckys Makeup

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  5. Such great advice thankyou!I'm loving the bourjois magic nail varnish remover,definitly the best one yet,and it smells so fruity!

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  6. I adore Lemony Flutter, it's one of my favourite ever Lush products! The Essie colours are so lovely :) Tart Deco is on my wish list! xo

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  7. Those Essie colours are gorgeous!
    Kirstie x

    weekendtoast

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  8. This was such a good post! I need to try some Essie. I can't believe I haven't yet... xx

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  9. That Choc Skip sounds great, as I'm lazy too when it comes to doing my nails! My absolute favourite top coat though is China Glaze Anti Chip top coat. It makes my polish last from Sunday to Sunday so I can skip doing my nails for a whole week.

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  10. I love Lemony Flutter, been using it for about 5 or 6 years now and you're right it lasts ages. I think I buy a pot once a year.

    http://thelittlefogey.blogspot.co.uk/

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  11. Oh wow I LOVE the colours of those Essie varnishes! I'm a pastel freak! About to check out your video :) xx

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  12. I need to try the cuticle remover! I've heard so many raves about it, I think it's time to go out and purchase it :D love the essie colours!x

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  13. Those Essie nail polishes are such pretty colours! Love them! I got Mint Candy Apple a little while ago and it was my first Essie polish and really loved it! xx

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  14. I need that Chip Skip polish. All of my nail varnish always chips and I never knew they had a product like this. Super Excited :D

    laceyloves.com

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  15. i love the colour of the essie polishes, i loved this post (: x

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  16. Wow!! I love those colour nail varnishes, they look soooooo nice!

    Please check out my blog :)

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  17. these colours are beaut!

    www.rebekahhlouisee.blogspot.com

    xxx

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  18. Just ordered mint candy apple from superdrug cant wait to get :) !! xx
    Samantha's Secret

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  19. unfortunately, i don't have any nail tips/nail products that i can recommend (i bite the crap out of my nails. they look pretty awful) -- but i do love the essie colors you used for your diy mani! i have tart deco and i use it all the time. it's such a fun color!

    -alexandra
    http://alexisinodak.blogspot.com/

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  20. Kate, you're such an enabler. I went out and bought the Sally Hansen gel cuticle remover and the LUSH cuticle butter on my lunch break today. They're both absolutely fantastic products - thank you! xoxo

    traincars

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  21. I'm loving Essie Polishes too! I've been buying them in packs of three at TKMaxx! Xo

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  22. I really love the colours in the Essie range but I just can't justify spending that amount of money on a nail polish! I'm equally as happy with the colour range and formulas of cheaper brands like barry M, but I have to admit that Essie do the best pastels. each to their own i guess :)
    xxxxxx

    http://heather226.blogspot.com

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  23. My nails have a lovely habit of flaking and makes nail varnish hardly last. Will have to get myself some Nail Envy!xx

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  24. Oh I really want to pick up the OPI nail envey , I wish it wasn't as expensive :(

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  25. love those essie shades!

    annabeladore.blogspot.cm

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  26. Love the polishes! My nails peel off so easily... trying to get them to grow a bit so I can start wearing colours again!
    The SkinnyBlondeGirl Blog: Fashion + Beauty + Style

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  27. All I keep hearing about is Essie polishes but they don't stock them in my local Superdrug - stress!
    http://pearlsandpurls.wordpress.com/

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  28. Lovely polishes...think I need to get me some new ones!! x

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  29. Great tips ! I really want to try a cuticle remover, and Essie polishes are amazing, A Crewed Interest is my favourite shade at the mo ! xx

    butterfleyesblog.blogspot.com

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  30. essie nail polish :D

    thebeautymist.blogspot.com

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  31. I saw that Revlon nail polish remover the other day in Superdrug and think I will get it as it's easy and quick. I just wish there was a similar thing for toes! Haha xx

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