Ugly, brittle, chipped, uber-thin nails...FIXED!

I have been on a nail polish high lately. Perhaps it's because of the overwhelming number of compliments I receive on any given day that motivates me to switch my nail polish at least once a week.

Flash forward two months and as I remove the two layers of OPI with one layer of Revlon top coat, I reveal the most God-awful set of horribly damaged and yellowed naked nails. Part of me wants to CRY. I could probably conceal this with a dark color of polish, but this will only add to the problem and the next time I use nail polish remover, I will probably wipe away the NAILS.

Friday night, I removed my nails and gently massaged with olive oil, which is supposed to help with nail and cuticle growth. Then I rinsed and dried my nails and began to embark on what I would later deem the most critical treatment for my nails ever.

Introducing Sally Hansen Hard As Nails (not endorsed by SH...this is my own opinion because no girl should have to walk around with egregiously messed up nails). This stuff is AMAZING and probably one of the least expensive beauty products I have ever purchased (less than $3!).

Directions:
Apply 1-2 coats (I needed 2 coats), allowing each coat to dry. Disregard the directions on the bottle and do NOT feel free to apply nail polish over this coat the same day. In order for the treatment to work, you need to allow the product to settle and dry. I tried applying nail polish the same day and it made the SH Hard as Nails stuff melt off.

Hope this helps all you nail polish aficionados out there! You do not need to give up your nail obsession.

cuticle treatment: which one is the best?

Baby it's cold outside.

I have dry skin. In the winter, that means my hands are flaky and my cuticles are rough. In an earlier post, I discussed a hand model's secret to perfectly moisturized hands. I've been using that secret for a month now, and am happy to report major success.

However, my cuticles still need extra attention or else my nails look terrible. I have tried many products out there so it only makes sense for me to give an objective review. Hopefully this helps you!

1. Sally Hansen Vita Surge Cuticle Gel

source: walgreens.com

This comes in a nail polish-like bottle with a felt tip applicator. The gel is cold and tingles a little when you first apply it. There are red beads that are supposed to be "vitamins" or something but they don't do much except frustrate me when they don't burst. After massaging the gel into my cuticles for about a minute, my nails do look replenished. However, the effect is short-lived and I find myself needing to reapply frequently to avoid dryness. Still, if you work in an office, you may prefer this product as it doesn't ruin your keyboard with oil.

Score: 3/5

2. Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter

source: drugstore.com

This is probably the most widely known/used cuticle product out there. It comes in a tin and you take some on your finger and directly apply it to your cuticles. This is the least messy in terms of application, but leaves slightly most residue/oil than the Sally Hansen Vita Surge Gel. I prefer this over the Gel because it is easy to carry around (tin doesn't spill in your purse; nail polish bottle might).

Score: 4.5/5

3. Sally Hansen Vitamin E Oil Treatment

source: walgreens.com

Like the Gel, this also comes in a nail polish bottle. Instead of felt, it is a bristle applicator. If you've ever gotten a professional manicure before, this is likely the type of product they used. It is a bit messy to apply but once you rub it in, it leaves your cuticles very moisturized and nourished. I usually do this right before bed so that I don't have to touch things. When I wake up in the morning, I can still see the oil but most of it has either absorbed into my cuticles or into my bedsheets.

Score: 5/5

4. Olive Oil

source: strawberryblu.com

For those into home remedies, this is the easiest trick ever. Just dab and massage some olive oil from your kitchen pantry into your nails. Olive oil strengthens your nails and protects your cuticles. It is the messiest to apply, so do this before bed.

Score: 4.5/5

Keep those nails beautiful. You never know when your boyfriend will propose and you will take pictures of them!

Essie Nail Polish Morticia's Nails Ltd Ed Set, $9.95 + Free Shipping (reg. $24.50)!!!

Essie Nail Polish Morticia's Nail Set [hsn.com]. Three bottles of polish for $10. Use coupon code C53126 to get free shipping! Not sure when this expires so get it soon if you want it! I'm frugal and need to stock up on gifts for people.

ring finger polish trend!

i was having coffee with a girlfriend and noticed that she had her ring fingers a different nail polish color from the rest of her fingers. i asked her what that was all about. 

"my ring finger stands out, don't you think?" she replied. apparently this has been the latest trend and i just missed the memo.

YES. gone are the days where you have to have a giant five carat ring on your finger to make it stand out. us single ladies can polish our ring fingers a different color to jazz things up!

here is what my first ring finger nail polish job looks like:

kind of reminds me of a cupcake :)


I'm wearing:


NYC In a Minute in MOMA
Sally Hansen Xtreme Color in Lacey Lilac


(got them both at the store for under $2 each!)