DIY No-Chip Manicure!

You guys, I HATE getting manicures.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love a crisp and clean fingernail as much as the next gal.  However, what I don’t love is the time it takes for the upkeep.  I just have too many other things to do than to sit in a nail salon and have someone poke and prod and massage my digits.  I can do it myself from the comfort of my living room couch on a Saturday night while watching A Few Good Men for the millionth time, thank you very much.

I also don’t like paying for something that doesn’t last.  Because of the work I do, I use my fingertips a lot.  I am constantly repositioning pieces of cardstock and peeling sticky stuff off the backs of embellishments. I also get sticky stuff directly on my fingernails and when I peel it off, the nail polish peels off right along, too.

I have to handle tiny objects like miniature pearls and rhinestones.  Acrylics don’t work for me; I have tried them and their rigidness makes it impossible for me to pick up little pieces of paper.  They aren’t an option.  As a result,  I have come to accept the fact that chipped nail polish is just one of the inevitable inherent dangers in the life of a paper crafter.  Until now.

Friends, meet Nail-Aid 3 Minute Artificials.

I had been toying with the idea of trying a gel manicure, but my dread of the upkeep was preventing me from doing it.  I had seen different do-it-yourself gel products but those things are always all-show and no-go.  In other words, they are usually a rip-off.  I decided to give Nail-Aid 3 Minute Artificials a try, and I will NEVER look back.  This stuff really works.  I tried it two weeks ago for the first time and my polish never chipped.  I thought it must have just been a random fluke, but no.  I gave myself a manicure on Saturday night.  I have been making cards non-stop since then.  It is now Wednesday night, AND NO CHIPS.  NO FLUKE.  THIS STUFF REALLY WORKS.

This is how I use it:

1) three coats of Nail-Aid 3 Minute Artificials

• one coat vertically across nails
• one coat horizontally across nails
• one coat vertically across nails

2) three coats of Essie “Ballet Slippers” Nail Polish.

(or any color, but I like to keep it pale)

3) one more coat of Nail-Aid 3 Minute Artificials

4) finish it all up with one coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce
(a.k.a. “shellac”  I love this stuff!!)

That’s it! 

You can purchase all of it from Amazon.com for less than the price of one manicure.  Think of all time and money you will save.  You can paint your nails from the comfort of your couch, you don’t have to spend time at the nail salon, and if it does chip, you have the stuff at home to fix it yourself.

Just click on the images below to purchase all three products from Amazon.com.  C’mon.  Treat yourself!!!

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