How To : Keep Your Manicure Longer

Very few things are as frustrating as having your manicure chip a day or two after you've forked out money for it at the salon. After numerous impractical attempts to keep my hands away from anything remotely strenuous, I burrowed into the internet, did some experimenting and found tips that all together extend the life of my manicure even to the point where I do my own nails at home without fear of chipping.

Here are some easy tips:

1. Hair Spray & Cold Water : As soon as you get home, spray a little hair spray on your fingers and dunk them in a bowl of cold water for sixty seconds. This is said to seal the ends of the polish and prevent lifting, smudges and dings. 
   
2. Moisturize your Cuticles : Ever notice that when your cuticles are dry they tend to peel? Same thing will happen with your nail polish. So be sure to grab a few squirts of lotion during the day and rub into your cuticles. Before you bed you can use your favourite oil and gently rub it in.
3. Every two/three days apply a THIN clear coat on top of the polish to help seal it in further. Don't do this for more than a week though as it will just end up gooping up your manicure .                                               
4. Wear Gloves:  Let gloves be your best friends. Anytime you are using chemicals or immersing your hands in water longer than sixty seconds, wear gloves. Not only will you preserve your manicure but this will also help to keep your hands soft.
5. Make sure that your nail tech uses a good top coat. My personal favourite is Essie's No Chips Ahead top coat- my manicure can last up to 9 days with this thing! See my review on it here . Other favourites in the beauty community include Seche Vite and Sally Hansen.

That's it ladies! Let me know how it works out for you.

Till later,

*Jane

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Once You go Shellac, You never go Back!!! maybe...

I am always looking for the easy way out, anything to skip the long, tedious process of staying groomed. Sooo Shellac seemed like it was something right up my alley. Brilliant, no chip nail colour that lasts fourteen days or more? Lovely!

Brief explanation: shellac is basically the application of gel nailpolish to the nail, dried and bonded to your nail by a blue uv light. The entire process from cleaning your cuticles to staring in amazement at the high gloss, completely dry finish is about 30 minutes. I kid you not!

Someone seems to have really thought this through- the range of colours is pretty decent, and they seem to have covered the bases - they range from very dark to very light and some even offer pearlescent finishes. It can be done with french tips or gem stones but the designs that can be done are more on the subtle side. If you are into pure colour this is definitely the best idea for you. 

The cost will vary depending on where you are but if you are in Kingston Jamaica, then head on over to The Face Place at 3 Carvalho Drive (off Hope Road near where Colour World used to be, on the road where the comestic surgery building is). You will only pay $2500JMD for the process. The environment is clean, spacious, chic, comfortable and the ladies who serve are cordial and quick.

Check it out:

Do you see how shiny it is ? and do you see how thin it is?? U cant even see it!  sooo happy!

Watch this space for an update at 7 days then 14 days :)

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