The Beauty Book

53| My Favorite Nail + Hand Products

WINTER IS COMING (technically fall is coming for floridians; it still reaches up to 90 degress in florida)

listen to the song (The Paper Kites - Bloom (Close To You) (Alex Brandt Remix))!!!

in this section, i will be sharing my recommendation(s) for

1. base coat
2. nail strengthener
3. top coat
4. nail polishes (just my faves)
5. cuticle care (because that's important for healthy nails)
6. Hand Lotion

||

1. Base Coat:

my absolute favorite base coat is the CND Stickey (no, i did not make a typing error) base coat. Stickey is my favorite because, as the name suggests, it helps adhere the nail polish to the nail. The base coat dries to a tacky finish, and after you've applied your nail polish and top coat, it helps increase the longevity of your nail polish.

i want to try the Orly Bonder base coat when i run out of my Stickey base coat so when i get that, and if i like it, then i'll probably add it to this list, but for now, i can't say i like or do not like it.

2. Nail Strengthener:

my absolute favorite nail strengthener is the OPI Nail Envy in Original. Now, my nails are in extremely good shape, but I wear a shit ton of nail polish (week after week after week), which is pretty bad for your nails. Nail Envy makes my nails a lot healthier and stronger. I wear 2 coats of this underneath my Stickey base coat to help keep my nails from breaking because I type A LOT, I'm a very hands on type of person, and i'm clusmy. This nail strengthener keeps my long, almond-shaped nails from peeling, bending, and most frightening of all, breaking.

3. Top Coat:

The Poshè Topcoat (yes, that is how they spell "top coat") is my all-time favorite, holy grail product, and the best top coat i have ever had. Why do I absolutley love this top coat? well:

- it's fast drying: it is dry to the touch in about 10 to 20 seconds and completely dry in 10 to 20 minutes.
- it's super shiny
- helps prevent major chipping: if any of you have ever had almond shaped nails, you will know how much chipping happens on the tips of your nails. now, i'm not saying that this top coat prevents chipping completely, but i have noticed less chipping on the tips of my nails when i use this top coat.
- the brush is AMAZING: it's pretty big (perfect for me) and grabs a lot of product
- something bad about this is that it tends to drag your nail polish if you put enough pressure on your brush

4. My Favorite Nail Polishes (no specific order):

1. ESSIE - Wicked (a very, very dark red, almost black, creme nail polish with no glitter//a little streaky on the first coat, but the second coat evens everything out and makes the color opaque//my personal fall favorite)
2. ESSIE - Licorice (a classic black creme nail polish with no glitter// not very streaky on the first coat, but a second coat is recommended for complete opaqueness)
3. OPI - You're Such a BudaPest (a periwinkle, leaning more towards the purple side, creme nail polish with iridescent micro shimmer particles// goes on smoothly, but streaky, and will need 2 - 3 coats to reach complete opaqueness)
4. CIATÉ - Boudoir (a slightly cool red creme nail polish with no glitter// applies like a fucking DREAM on the first coat, in my experience, but a tiny bit sheer. i would recommend at most 2 coats because that's all you really need//my favorite red)
5. OPI - Don't Pretzel My Buttons (a tan, nude creme nail polish with no glitter// applies pretty streaky on the first coat so a second one is recommended to even everything out and add more color)
6. CIATÉ - Hoopla (a peachy pink creme nail polish with no glitter//not very streaky on the first coat, but a second coat is need to achieve a better color)
7. ESSIE - Where's My Chauffeur? (a turquoise green creme nail polish with no glitter// goes on the nail amazingly, not the least bit streaky, but still needs a second coat to have a more opaque color)
8. OPI - Bubble Bath (a sheer, light beige-y pink, nude jelly with no glitter// goes on a little streaky on the first coat// if you are not careful, you may add too much and the opacity may be off for each nail// perfect base for french manicures or can be worn alone (my personal preference)// may accentuate the yellowness of nails, if worn on its own// takes 3 to 4 coats to be almost completely opaque)
9. OPI - Russian Navy (a deep, navy blue with pink-purple glitter particles// not very streaky, but most definitely needs a second coat to be completely opaque// i would recommend wearing this on your toes instead of fingers because the blue will stain your nails really badly)
10. OPI - Malaga Wine (a berry toned, creme red with no glitter// goes on evenly on the first coat, but a second coat is needed to develop the color// perfect for fall)

5. Cuticle Care:
1. Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - it makes my cuticles feel so moisturized and soft and absorbs really quickly// the smell is like key lime pie or a lemon tarte and i'm addicted to it// the packaging (tin case) is difficult to open at first, but with time, it'll be easier// did i mention how amazing it smells?
2. Vitamin E Oil - i don't actually have a description - most oils (virgin olive, coconut, almond, etc.) at hydrating and moisturizing, but Vitamin E Oil is the one i have been using.

6. Hand Lotion:
1. OPI Avojuice in Coconut Melon (smell soooo good and absorbs super quickly and leaves my hands feeling soft)

||

these are all my favorite nail/hand products and comment what your favorites are. feel free to ask questions, as always

i hope you enjoyed this section of the beauty book and have a wonderful day :)

||

vote - comment - fan/follow