Why I ditched the nail salon
When I was pregnant with twins, I stopped going to the nail salon for my biweekly manicure. I was going to try to go natural and grow my nails out. Unfortunately, even with my prenatal vitamins my nails were still too soft, and I have the terrible habit of biting my nails.
I needed something for my nails since I am a business owner, and I can’t be meeting with clients with chewed up nails. I had used press on nails from the store, but they were not the salon quality I was used to. Then I stumbled on this brand of nails, Red Aspen, and for the $16 price tag I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give them a try. I started by ordering a couple of basic nail sets.
Blush, pink and white nails for a pretty manicure at home
The basic nail colors: Ali’s Black-Tie Affair, Nina on Cloud 9, Marciamallow, Steel Gray Shay
10 minutes to perfect nails
I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived at the quality and the fact that they were reusable. I instantly applied the first set, and it was simple to apply. At first it took me longer than 10 minutes to put them on because I had to match each finger to a numbered nail dash but now that I know which number fits my fingers best it is much faster to apply.
When I want to switch my nail set, I start by soaking my fingers in warm soapy water to loosen up the glue, then I take the nail remover tool, which looks like a teeth flosser, and run it under the nail. Most will pop off but if one is stubborn then I soak it a little more. Then I dry my nails and I take my favorite nail filer to clean up my nails. I originally bought this filer to trim the babies’ nails but I got myself a second one to use for my nails.
I use the filer to trim my nails shorter and to gently buff off any glue that is still on my nails. Note: this tool works great for pedicures as well. After filing then I will wash my nails again to get the dust off. If I plan to wear my nails naturally for a day or two, then I will apply my favorite cuticle oil. It smells amazing, definitely a spa experience.
If I am going to apply a new set right away, then I will skip applying the cuticle oil. I will use some nail polish remover to dehydrate my nails from any oils. I have been told I have oily nail beds by several nail technicians. Then I let the nail polish remover dry. Next I pick the new set I want to wear from my growing nail collection. I got hooked and bought enough sets that I needed a way to store them. I found these perfect kits on Amazon for storing my nails.
Once the nail set is selected, I line up the nails that match my fingers (thumb to pinky) with the backside up. I then take an alcohol wipe and wipe my nails once more. Doing both the nail polish remover and the alcohol wipe I have found helps keep my nail set on longer. I then take the nail glue provided with the kit and add a drop in the middle of my left-hand pinky nail set. I take the brush on nail glue and brush it on my natural pinky nail.
Having both a drop of glue on the back of the nail dash and the thin coat of brushed on glue on my nail has also helped my nail sets stay on longer. I place the nail dash on my pinky nail and apply gentle pressure for 30 seconds. If any glue comes out on the sides, then wipe it off with the alcohol wipe. Repeat applying a drop of glue to the nail dash and brushing glue on your natural nail until all 10 fingers are complete. I like to work from my left-hand pinky to my thumb and then right-hand pinky to my thumb. That I just what has worked best for me, but you can try out different order.
Pedicures
If you also treat yourself to a pedicure, then let me share that they also have pedicure nail sets that match or compliments some of their popular colors and designs. It is as simple to apply as the manicure nail sets. When I am giving myself a pedicure, I like to soak my feet first in warm soapy water to soften them up.
I will also use this tool that looks like a cheese grater to work on removing any dead skin on my heals and padded area of my foot. If my feet look especially rough like it is the end of winter and they are dry and I want to get them ready for spring, I will use this foot mask to really break down the dry, dead skin. It does cause the skin to peel for a couple of days so don’t use it when you are planning to wear open toe shoes or sandals.
I will also use the nail filer to clean up the length of my toenails and then apply the cuticle oil if wearing natural. Otherwise, I use the same process as explained above for the manicure. First nail polish remover, then find nail dash matches for each toenail, use an alcohol wipe, apply a dot of glue to the back of the pedicure nail dash and brush on nail glue onto my toenail, and last apply gentle pressure. I will say if you wear a lot of closed toe shoes the pedicure doesn’t last as long as when worn with open toe or sandals.
Pamper Yourself
Now that you know my tips and tricks to my perfect nails, let me share some of my favorite nail set colors. Some may be seasonal and not available at the link. New sets are always being released so check back often.
From top left to bottom right: Boujee Bernadette; Dressed in White Daphne; Fall for Christine; Glittery Ava Marie; Kathryn and the Ballet Slipper; Nina on Cloud 9; On Point Betty; Renee is Ravishing; Wear the Blazer Bristol
You too can get salon quality nails at home and ditch the pricey nail salon visits. With some practice, 10 minutes and a few fun sets to start off, you will be surprised at the compliments you will receive on your manicure. So go ahead and give yourself a little pampering – you are worth it!
Links for products shared in this blog post for easy shopping:
Red Aspen Nails: https://www.redaspenlove.com/jaimeengebret/
Nail Filer: https://amzn.to/3QXNh1P
Nail Polish Remover: https://amzn.to/3OSfoNw
Alcohol Wipes: https://amzn.to/3Phn6Ch
Cuticle Oil: https://amzn.to/44rGeSi
Nail Storage: https://amzn.to/3L0DMLM
Foot Mask: https://amzn.to/45sUOKr
Pedicure Tool: https://amzn.to/3Ed5kK3
As an Amazon Associate and a Red Aspen Ambassador, I do receive commission for any purchases through my links. I appreciate you using my links to purchase. But know that I will only share products I own and have personally used and love.