Christmas time is here. And all things festive are in full swing. Lights adorn windows and outdoor cedar trees. Wreaths dress shutters with red berries in full circle too. Our world lights up in honor and adoration for the One who was born.
Yes, you can even find fashion nestling into the holiday season. Crisp apple red wool is announced as city sidewalk shoppers mill in & out of stores bundled in coats & scarves. Deep greens decorate our legs in corduroy or leggings just the same.
And merry can even be found on the tips of fingers too. Nail salons see a bountiful increase with holiday clients hopeful for a little fingernail festive. If you’re like me, the budget doesn’t allow for extra frilly splurges in the nail department. But keeping good record of the green you spend doesn’t have to hinder you when it comes to having great nails. Allow me to assist you with an affordable at-home holiday manicure!
The above are the basic essentials to a beautifully done manicure. The only additional ingredient is about 35-45 minutes of time. My favorite time to do my nails is right before our family sits down to watch a movie. This allows ample time for your polish to set/cure decreasing your chances of smudging. All of these essential products were purchased at Sally’s Beauty Supply.
Make sure your nails are clean before you begin. Cut and file nails to your desired shape and length. Use the buffing pad to scuff the top surface of your nails to roughen the surface a bit. Then apply a thin layer of the above base coat. The trick to a great at-home manicure is applying THIN SMOOTH layers in each step of the application process.
Choose your favorite holiday hue. The above are some of my all-time favorites. It’s important to note here that a respected nail brand is another key in a good at-home manicure. Off brands don’t tend to have the longevity that the more trusted brands do.
Apply 2 THIN coats of your happy shade. Remember: THIN & SMOOTH. I start at the base of my nail and work around the outside edges. Lastly, I fill in the nail center. You do not have to have a huge amount of wait time between each coat. I typically wait about 2 minutes between each application.
Alright, ladies. The above top fast drying top coat is the bomb.com. As in, I’ve tried several top coats in my day and this one runs shop on them all. It’s about $6.00 at Sally’s. This needs to be your 4th coat.
- 1st coat: base coat
- 2nd coat: nail color
- 3rd coat: nail color
- 4th coat: THIS TOP COAT
AGAIN: THIN & SMOOTH, sisters!
Last but oh so not least, I give you my secret weapon. This acrylic top coat is magical much like Santa’s elves. It needs to serve as your 5th and FINAL coat. It IS NOT a fast drying top coat. This translates into: “Sit still. Watch the Christmas movie. Have your kiddos/spouse feed you the popcorn.”
This product is also found at Sally’s Beauty Supply. It is around $7.00. And.worth.every.penny.
5 THIN and SMOOTH coats + about 45 minutes = an at-home holiday manicure that will brighten your Christmas spirit without breaking your Christmas budget.
This manicure lasts roughly 7-9 days before MAJOR chipping occurs. I can easily go 5 days before a I see a single tiny chip. Being a designer by trade has my hands very active in fabrics for pillows and wax for candles. This manicure lasts through my custom makings as well as the umpteen bajillion loads of laundry not to mention dishes that are on my motherly resume.
So give yourself a treat this holiday and settle in for an at-home manicure while being pampered with being popcorn fed during family movie time. A basket full of these items would also make a wonderful Christmas gift or stocking stuffer too.
From my fingertips to yours, Merry Christmas!