When you’re hankering for a flirty fix, your hands can end up doing a lot of the naughty talking. A well-groomed hand reads as sign of self-confidence, as well as an artsy expression of suave, attractive up-keep. Pressed for time? Cash crunch? The do-it-yourself method can be just as attention-drawing, not to mention super-efficient, and a cinch to implement. Gather up a few of the essential tidbits – lotion, pumice, orange stick, clippers, file, and buffer – and manifest your very own nail salon in a snap.
primp and pamper
Run a candlelit bath to soften up all of those hard-worked corners and crevices of your dainty keratin beds. Massage an open capsule of vitamin E, olive, orangewood or almond oil into your cuticles while soaking your deserving toes in a fusion of Epsom salts and essential oils that include lavender, peppermint, and lemon. Meander there for about fifteen minutes, but try to tear yourself away before the prune-monster look sets in.
the trim-down
With a good quality pair of nail clippers, clip straight across so as to avoid nasty in-grown edges. Don’t go crazy – just take care of the bare minimum. Nails that are too miniscule in size are more at risk for eww-worthy infections. Proceed to file each nail, moving in the same direction each time, avoiding the splitting effect of a sawing motion. Taking your orange stick, gently push cuticles down to size, maneuvering the stick in a soft circular motion. To polish off this Nail 101 intensive, break out the buffer, going from its roughest side to the smoothest to end up with a satisfying sheen of healthiness.
a toe-tapping good time
Both the daily grind and spiky high-heeled heights will most definitely take a toll on a lady’s locomotive soles as days go by. For feel-good feet that tantalize the opposite sex with their undeniably adorable charms, make sure your extremities get the royal treatment with a luxurious rub-down – try an exfoliating lotion, loofah or pumice stone for supply smooth results.
polish off the job
For picturesque tips and toes, the running order is as followed - base coat, color coat, second application, and top coat. A clear polish will suffice for a top coat, while you may want a base that targets any dexterity issues on the fritz – look for labels that advertise strengthening, nourishing, or growth-inducing properties. Try not to jet-set out the door – leave time between first and second color application so smudges and blobs are guaranteed to remain a thing of the past.
wave with flying colors
Sure there are rainbows of colors to choose from at your local pharmacy, but you’ll want to pick the one that’s most appropo for you. Fire-engine red is a throw-back to pin-up darlings, while more subdued burgundy or garnet make a stylish choice for the icy winter season. French manicure sets will equip you with nude and snow-white bottles for classy, workplace chic, while iron-clad black always seems to be making a come-back every other season. Peaches and sorbets work well for beaching and dancing, as do turquoises and violets.
