wearing Sally Hansen miracle Gel nail polish in Lemon heaven (and there’s a clue in this pic about connorclaire.com…)
So you know that super secret squirrel project I’ve been talking about and working on and hinting at for a while?

Well, this is the first official clue! — and it may or may not have something to do with pineapples…

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Stay tuned this week for more hints and clues. I’ve been working very hard on this project for months, and I really think you’ll like it. it all takes place at www.connorclaire.com, where you can sign up, and I hope you do.

Now, let’s talk nails.

How I Prep for an at-home Manicure

Hell, yeah, I do my own nails at home, although I do like to make it rain on occasion at the nail salon, because I don’t like to deal with my toes.

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Cats & Makeup Felpa ??

$ 42.

Acquistare ora

You don’t want to deal with my toes; I don’t want to deal with my toes; so sometimes I will go to a nail salon to have somebody else deal with my toes.

But seriously, nails. Come on, do them at home! It’s fun and easy, and here’s my nail-prep-at-home process. This is how I get my paws ready to paint.

1. Shower

I start by taking a shower (or soaking my nails), which moisturizes everything and loosens things up, including whatever nail polish I might be wearing.

It makes my nails soft and supple and less likely to split when I clip/file them.

2. remove any existing nail polish

Right after my shower I remove my old polish using Essie naturally clean Purifying polish remover ($6 for a 4-oz. bottle), which I love because it werks (even with glitters), and it doesn’t dry out my nails or smell bad (kind of important).

I thoroughly soak a makeup remover pad, then press and hold it on the nail for about 30 seconds before pushing and pulling it down, and the nail polish slides right off.

3. use nail clippers

Next I clip my nails with these Tweezerman Clippers ($11 for two in a set) because they cut cleanly and never split my nails.

4. File

Then I use a crystal file, and I love this Crystal file by Nailtek ($16.50), to smooth out any rough edges.

If you don’t have one, a crystal nail file might seem expensive, especially compared to emory boards, but they last years! I think the Nailtek one is the best, and it’s well worth the investment.

5. apply cuticle oil

After filing I apply CND Solar Oil ($8.50) to my cuticles to help the overall look of my nails…because I don’t want my cuticles looking raggedy and distracting from my polish.

6. Clip any stray bits

Next, I use the beauty 360 comfort Hold Quarter Jaw Cuticle Nipper ($14.99).

I don’t cut my cuticles, but I do trim any stray bits of skin that hang off the edges, again, so they’re aren’t distracting.

7. remove any remaining product residue

This is when I use Sephora formula X nail Cleanser ($10.50) to remove any remaining residues, like from lotions or anything.

You don’t want anything left on your nails when you go to paint them because that’ll help your polish adhere better.

8. PAINT!!!

Or, rather, apply your base coat (if you want to use one to help your polish last longer), and I like Sephora formula X Prime ($10.50).

THEN paint your nails. after that I finish with OPI top coat ($10).

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And that’s what I do to get my nails ready to paint. I’d love to hear what you do for yours.

Il tuo amichevole abitazioni di bellezza,

Karen.