Manicure Must-Haves

Stuff I don't think I could live without:

1) OPI Nail Envy
2) OPI Expert Touch Remover
3) Seche Vite Topcoat
4) Seche Vite Restore
5) OPI Expert Touch Wipes
6) Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream
7) Cuticle Pusher
8) Nailtek Crystal File
9) Half-jaw Nippers

These products make my life easier and my nails so much prettier... 1) Nail Envy is a nail strengthener. I use it as a base coat to help prevent staining. I've also noticed that my nails peel a lot less. 2) Expert Touch Remover is AMAZING! It's kind of pricey though... To conserve my bottle, I remove the majority of my nail polish with a cheap brand and then use Expert Touch Remover to clean-up the tough spots. It also works great for removing red/dark colors and cleaning up stains on your skin! Love it, love it, LOVE IT! 3) Seche Vite Topcoat is a definite must-have. Ever wonder how salons got your nails so shiny?... well, this is it. It's like a miracle in a bottle. Put a nice thick coat of this stuff on and away goes the bumps and bubbles. It leaves your nails super smooth and super glossy! Also, it dries quite fast so your nails are smudge-proof within minutes. However, since it dries so fast your bottle will start to thicken up! That's where 4) Seche Vite Restore comes in! Add a couple drops of Restore to your bottle and you are as good as new! It also works well for regular nail polish. The box said it will work with any brand. I used it in my OPI Royal Rajah Ruby and it is back to perfect consistency. 5) Expert Touch Wipes are great because they are lint free... not like those cotton pads you see for sale. I usually use these after I use cotton balls... just to clean up the strings of cotton sometimes left behind. I listed 6) Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream because it smells amazing, is extra moisturizing, and is in a convenient little tin. I don't have to worry about it spilling all over (unlike a cuticle oil) if I throw it in my purse. I do, as a matter of fact, always keep one in my purse because I have dry hands from washing them so much... I prefer a 7) Cuticle Pusher in metal. This one has a nice flat edge, unlike plastic ones. 8) Crystal Files are the best when it comes to files. They last forever, are washable (!), and are smooth to the touch. Mine is a Nailtek and came in that pretty little pink case. It's also embellished, so it cost a bit more ($20 or 30... can't remember). 9) Half-Jaw Nippers are used for trimming dead skin around your nails. They are tricky to use at first because they're awkward to hold. Practice makes perfect! I like the half-jaw versus the full-jaw... easier to maneuver.

And there you have it.