My nail basics

SOURCE | ORIGEN:
Sally Beauty Supply

COMMENTS | COMENTARIOS:

Another quick look at my nail basics...
Otra rápida mirada a mis fundamentos de uñas ...

Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler:

I only use this when I have a fingernail that has a bit of unevenness due to flaking. In these photos, I have it as the first layer on my index finger only.
**  Yo sólo uso esto cuando tengo una uña que tiene un poco de desnivel debido a la descamación. En estas fotos, lo tengo como primera capa en el dedo índice único.

Beauty Secrets Hardener  / Beauty Secrets Moisturizing Base Coat:

I alternate between these two (I wrote about the moisturizing base coat here) as my base coat.
**  Yo alterno entre estos dos (escribí sobre la capa de base hidratante aquí) como mi capa base.

Beauty Secrets Top Coat (Fast Finish Polish Dryer):

This is still my favorite top coat. Unfortunately, as I mentioned here, they changed the formula and bottles for this one. The new top coat from this brand dries very slowly. I was able to buy a few of the large bottles before they were all replaced with the new formula.
**  Este sigue siendo mi favorito capa superior. Desafortunadamente, como ya he dicho aquí, cambiaron la fórmula y botellas para éste. La nueva capa superior de esta marca se seca muy lentamente. Tuve la oportunidad de comprar algunas de las grandes botellas antes de que se sustituyeron todos con la nueva fórmula.



Two coats of (** 2 capas de) Beauty Secrets Nail Hardener:

I've been duped by Beauty Secrets!

SOURCE: Sally Beauty Supply
COMMENTS: I usually buy the large 2.5oz bottles of Beauty Secrets fast finish topcoat and use them to refill my smaller bottle. However, the last time I went to Sally Beauty Supply, I saw this bottle that was a bit larger than the small .5oz bottle for the same price, and greedy little me, I snatched it up. Well, it came back to bite me when I finished my last manicure. My nails are usually dry by the time I go pick up the camera and return for photos. This time they were still very tacky. I first thought it was the polish (the new brand from Walmart), but then I checked my toes, which had been done with a different brand 20 minutes before, and they were still tacky too! Ugh! Needless to say, I had to dig out my original quick dry topcoat and add a layer to both tips and toes.

Now I understand why some people say the "blue" Beauty Secrets topcoat from Sally Beauty Supply never dries - they made the same mistake I did and picked up the wrong one!

So be warned - Make sure the bottle you pick up (in either size) says "FAST FINISH POLISH DRYER". If it doesn't, put it down and walk away!

My favorite nail products

COMMENTS: I have a really simple nail routine as I don't go through many of the recommended manicure steps. The things I do always use though are base and topcoat. Here are my favorites:


Base coats:
1. Beauty Secrets moisturizing base coat is from Sally Beauty Supply (about $3 for .5oz, $6 for 2.5oz). I like that I can put this on in a thin or slightly thick coat. It's also the base for about 85% of my manicures..
2. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails - Hard as Wraps gel is a nice thick base coat with acrylic that was recommended to me by AllThingsNails when I asked her how she prevented staining. It worked! I used it as my sole base coat for about a month and all my new nail growth stayed unstained. I now use just 3-4 times a month, when my nails feel like they need a little extra thickness for protection, or if they start to look stained (which is rare now with the previous base coat). It's more expensive at about $6 at drugstores for .44oz. Because of the gel formula, it does get used up quickly and thickens as you approach the bottom. 

I do use some other base coats from time to time so as not to waste previous purchases :). 

My nails with one coat of Beauty Secrets moisturizing base coat:

My favorite topcoat - also from Sally's is Beauty Secrets fast finish. It dries quickly with long-lasting shine, can be applied relatively thick, and doesn't thicken up like Seche Vite (and even Out the Door). I'm already halfway through this large 2.5 oz bottle (which cost only $6 by the way). I have tried other  topcoats since finding this (CND Air Dry for example), but this works best for me. Like the base coat from the same brand, it also comes  in a smaller .5 oz size for $3.

For removal, I used to use a mixture of pure acetone and acetone-based remover, both from Beauty Secrets as well. I now just use the pure acetone with a bit of glycerin, and some grape seed oil mixed in to prevent it from drying my nails and cuticles out.

Just wanted to share!