
Every year when we go on vacation I use the opportunity to get my nails in shape. I am very hard on my nails, which are not strong to begin with, because I am always washing my hands, cleaning, cooking, and crafting (= soap, cleaning products, ink, etc.). A two-week break from housework and crafting gives me a jump-start on growing my nails and allows me to have a manicure that doesn't chip in a day and a half!
This year in particular, I really needed to heal my fingernails. I volunteered to get
gel nails in January from a friend just starting out her nail art career and the filing of the nail bed (on my already thin and delicate nails) was too much for them. Also, since I did not enjoy the feeling of the artificial tips and gel coating (they just weren't for me), I worked at trimming and picking them off for about 2 months. Finally, when it was all gone, my poor nails were severely damaged - way too short, torn, and there were even bare patches with no nail at all. Ouch! My fingers were actually in pain and I couldn't even touch the ends of some of them. I discovered then how much I utilize my fingers and nails in my crafts and it was very difficult not to be able to use them. I vowed to never mistreat my nails again and to appreciate the short, healthy, natural nails I was born with!!
So...here is my plan. While away, I bought the new Spring collection of Essie polishes, including the blue Azure (which I just saw featured in my pool-side magazine) and I also picked up the Nail Tek treatment polish, XTRA...which I selected because "Nail Tek XTRA is the answer for nails previously thought to be unsalvageable". It made me laugh in the store because I thought to myself, "that's ME!" It's a concentrated formulation designed to provide extra strength to correct severe nail weakness. You apply it as a base coat, then 2 coats of colour (which they encourage you to use while growing your nails because it helps you become aware of your hands and to use them in a way that protects the polish. It's also easier to spot chips so you make immediate repairs), and then another coat of XTRA as a top coat. You then re-apply the XTRA each day for a week and then start the whole process again. I went the whole first week without taking off the polish...I only got a few tiny chips which I patched right away and I wore rubber gloves for all my chores. I also applied cuticle oil several times a day. I don't know if it's the Essie Azure that wears so well or the top coat, but I don't think I have had this much success with a polish. The insert says it can take 3-6 months to grow long and beautiful nails. I don't know if my nails will co-operate but I'm going to give the system a try. It definitely takes commitment and special care to grow and maintain natural nails. The pamphlet says to be patient...not one of my strong suits but I am definitely motivated!
My ultimate goal is to do a French manicure on my own nails. For incentive, I have assembled all the products I need: cuticle oil (which smells so good - like cherry coke), base coat, white polish, pink (Essie Mademoiselle) polish, top coat (Essie Good to Go), a specialized brush to clean up the white tips, a small pot to put the polish remover in, and a correcter pen. I have it all packed up in a cute little bag (given to me by my friend). I even bought a pump nail polish remover bottle like they use in the salons. I watched several videos on French manicures and was inspired by Angie over at Chic' n Scratch who recommended many of the products I have in my kit. I can't wait until my nails grow long enough to give it a try!