Four Ways To Jazz Up Your Manicure

Hello Beauty Addicts!

You're probably thinking - what the hell is she doing? Another nails post! However this is a post that I've been collecting photographs for for a very long with the view of bringing you four simple ways to jazz up your nails.

I'm a big lover of the classic one colour, shining like mirrors manicure but for me my manicure is as much an accessory as my bracelets, or my make up, or my handbag etcetera etcetera... So I like something a bit different here and there.

So let's get on with the show. Enjoy.

*As always it's important to note that no matter what you're putting on your nails a base coat tailored to your nail type is always advised as this protects your nails and prevents staining when using anything dark or with primary coloured pigments.*

Squared Up - How to: square manicure

                                              

Squared Up - How to: square manicure

 

Hello beauty addicts!

Getting the perfect square manicure is a little more complicated than just filing in a straight line. Whether your nails are long or short the perfect square will take a few months to really achieve but if you want a guaranteed salon polished manicure then follow the steps below :)

You will need: 

• A straight edged nail clipper. 

• Nail file with buffer - at least four sided! 
• Nail hardening top coat.
• Cuticle oil, cream or softener.
• Wooden or metal cuticle pusher.
• Nail polish - coloured or clear, it's up to you. 

So here we go. Beware, if your nails grow slowly and are brittle or soft this can take a while.

1. Ensure nails are clean and dry. Using the nail clipper, cut nails to about a millimetre longer than desired length. I like to cut this quite short as it takes less time for the sides to catch up. If your nails are curved like mine (as you look at them from the tips of your fingers) you may want to cut each side of the nail and join each clip up in the middle. 
2. File away the added millimetre in a straight line and use the second side of you file to remove rough bits of nail.
3. Buff the surface of the nails to remove ridges and use the third side of your nail file to smooth both the end of the nail and the surface. 
4. Wash nails to remove and dust from filing and apply a strengthening top coat to protect the nails.
5. Nails must be left to grow until the straight edge of the nail grows at least two millimetres from the finger tip. 
6. Remove the top coat and file the nails until the straight edge at the top joins up with the sides and forms a right angle. 
7. Soften the nails cuticle with the oil or cream and use the cuticle pusher to push the cuticles back at the courners so that they mirror the shape you've created with your nails.
8. Use your file to adjust how harsh you want your square shape to be on the nail tips and repeat steps three and four. 
9. Paint with a colour of your choice and don't forget a top coat to protect your new salon perfect nails. 

Enjoy.

Goodbye addicts.