Manicure Essentials (Tools, Products & More)

Hey guys!


So I am back from my little holiday break and I'm back in the saddle of blogging and video filming. I hope you all had a fantastic holiday with loved ones. I had a great holiday with my husband and our now one year old little boy :)


Today's post is about Manicures and Pedicures. I will give you all the information needed for buying the right tools and products. I posted a video on this topic on my YouTube channel, so click here to watch it.

Tools: (Most items can be found at drugstores or at Sally Beauty Supply)

* Fingernail clippers- any brand will do.

* Toenail clippers (yes, I am a bit weird on using my fingernail clippers on my toes. This is not an additional item that is necessary)

*Cuticle Nippers- these are a must! These are great for any dry skin around the nails/cuticles or if you have hang nails (which are normal to get from time to time)

*Nail Files- don't get ones that are too abrasive, those can harm your nails in the long run.

*Nail Buffer- Buffing your nails slightly before applying treatments or base coats can really help extend the nail polish wear.

* Cuticle remover liquid or gel- I feel this helps cut down on mani/pedi time especially when you are pressed for time. These products work amazingly and I will continue to use them. I found mine at Sally Beauty Supply for $6 and it's changed my manicure process, big time! The brand is Blue Cross (it's actually shown in photo above) and it's a liquid form like what's used at the salons. If you rather not buy an additional item, just soak your nails in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes.

*Nail Treatments- This all depends on your nail needs. I do however, recommend a nail treatment that helps fortify and strengthen your nails. This is especially important for those who manicure often and for ones that have sensitive nails. I love Orly nail products for this step.

*Base Coats- Super important! By far, the best is CND sticky base coat. I love it so much :) It has extended my nail polish wear tremendously. Truly great stuff. 

*Hand Cream- Especially important for this time of year. I think everyone should own a hand cream. It makes such a difference in your nails and in the appearance of your hands. 

So there you go, a quick low down on every tool/product I feel is important. I have been doing my nails on a weekly basis for years now and I have narrowed down what's necessary. I hope this guide helps you and saves you money. Doing your own at home manicures and pedicures can save so much money over a years time. 

Don't forget to head over to my YouTube channel for more on this topic and for more great beauty related things. Please subscribe, it's Free :) http://www.youtube.com/user/GlamourbyLexi

**Follow Me on Twitter for Daily Updates! 

Thanks for stopping by and for your support!

xoxoxo

~Lexi

5 Super Easy Christmas Nails

Hello!

With it being the holiday season, it's only right to do festive nails, right? So with Christmas around the corner (7 days left, oh my) I wanted to share with you 5 super easy and fun nail designs. These would be the perfect accessory to any holiday outfit. A list of products, a walk through step by step tutorial and final picture are below. I hope you like and if you recreate any of these, I'd love to see it. Send me pictures to my Twitter account @GlamourbyLexi

Step by Step Tutorial (starting Thumb to Pinky above):

Thumb Nail Festive Christmas Dots: Start with any white nail polish. I recommend doing 2 coats. Then take any red and green nail polish to create the dots with a dotting tool. Don't have a dotting tool? No worries, a toothpick will do the trick!

Index Nail Snowflake: Start with 2 coats of a deep Navy blue. Start by applying a dot on the center of the nail using a dotting tool and a silver metallic nail polish. Then with the same silver polish draw four lines using a nail brush around the silver dot (one line vertical above, one vertical below, one horizontally to the left and one horizontally to the right). Taking the same dotting tool used earlier, create tiny dots on the lines to create your snowflake.

Middle Nail Christmas Tree: Starting with a 2 coats of white polish. Take a green striper polish and create a triangle shape with the pointed tip just below the cuticle. Fill in that triangle with the same green polish. Once that dries take your favorite polish to create dots that simulate ornaments. I used a metallic gold but any color would work. I then took a gold glitter to create a dot at the tip for my star.

Ring Nail Snowman: Start with 2 coats of a pearly white polish. Using a small dotting tool or toothpick dipped into black polish create 2 dots for eyes and a couple closer to the end of the nail for his smile. Wipe that tool and using an orange polish create a small triangle pointing to the left for his nose.

Pinky Nail Snowfall: Start with a light baby blue nail polish. Take the small dotting tool and draw a blanket of snow with white polish towards the edge of the nail, in the same area you'd do a french tip. Then use the same white polish and apply a few dots for the falling snow.

Once your design dries, apply a shiny topcoat to seal the designs and add shine. Viola! Your nails are ready to make a statement at your Christmas party!

Products Used/Needed:

*White Nail Polish- I used Sephora Formula X in White Matter
*Red Nail Polish- I used Sephora Formula X in Pyrotechnic
*Green Striper polish- I used one from Sinful Colors purchased from Walgreens
*Navy Blue nail polish- I used Julep
*Metallic Silver- I used Sally Hansen insta dry in Silver Sweep
*Metallic Gold- I used one from the old Sephora brand
*Orange nail polish- I used one from OPI that is a few years old
*Light Blue polish- I used Sephora Formula X in Infatuated

*Tools~Dotting tool or toothpicks

As you can see in the picture, the designs are super easy. I am not an expert nor am I good at drawing and I can make this look decent. So I know that you can recreate these designs too.

A video tutorial will be posted towards the end of this week on my YouTube channel showing this nail art. If you haven't checked out my channel, click here. Please subscribe while you're there, it's free :) :)

Thanks for stopping by & Merry Christmas !!
xoxoxo
~Lexi

Speckled Nail Effect

Hello everyone!

Last week I posted a nail art video showing you how to do a speckled or paint splattered effect on your nails using Sephora Formula X The Twenty-Two set. Click here for reviews and swatches of the polishes. Also, click here to watch this nail art tutorial! These nail polishes are so amazing. Two thumbs up!!!! I hope you enjoy :)

Formula X for Sephora

Colors used: 

"White Matter"- for thumb and pinky nails. I used two coats for an opaque white finish.

"Dark Matter"- for my middle nail. Literally, you only need one coat for a true pigmented black.

"Thrilling"- for pointer and ring nails. It's a great neutral taupe.

"Meteoric"- Glitter topcoat over pointer and ring nails. It's a special effects topcoat with black and white glitter chunks.

Click here to shop Sephora for Formula X products. 

Please subscribe to my channel after watching the tutorial. Follow me on Twitter for daily updates @GlamourbyLexi

Thanks for all the support. 

Happy Holidays!!!

xoxoxo

~Lexi

Easy Fall Inspired Nails

Hello everyone,


Today I decided to do a fall inspired nail look and wanted to share with you the finished look. I really love this deep vampy wine red color for this season. To me it screams fall! And of course, the look wouldn't be complete without a little glitter. It's a great way to incorporate fall into your wardrobe. So I hope you enjoy this nail look as much as I do.

The finished look

Sinful Colors with gel tech in "Mirror Mirror"
& my d.i.y (franken) holographic glitter polish

My 1st franken polish
Holographic Gold glitter

The Sinful Colors nail polish can be purchased at your local Walgreens. As for my d.i.y polish, I have a video on how to make it coming up soon on my channel. I also have a few blog posts on the franken process coming with photos so check back soon. 

Want more? Follow me on Twitter to stay updated. Thank you for stopping by :) 

xoxoxo

~Lexi

Breast Cancer Awareness Inspired Nail Art!

Hello Nail Art Lovers!


I wanted to support a great cause with this inspired manicure since it hits home for me. I have an aunt who has won the battle of cancer :) This is for those affected, those who are fighting, for the ones who've won and sadly for those who've lost the battle.  There's always a light at the end of the tunnel!


I hope you all enjoy this Easy and Simple Step by Step Nail Art. A video tutorial will be posted on my YouTube channel tomorrow morning!

Breast Cancer Awareness Inspired Nails

Step 1: Apply 2 coats of a light pink polish to your thumb and pinky nails. I used Essie "Raise Awareness"
Step 2: Apply 2 coats of a white polish to your index and ring nails. I used OPI "Alpine Snow"
Step 3: Apply 2 coats of a medium pink polish to your middle nail. I used OPI "Shorts Story"

*Once those layers have dried completely, proceed with the glitter and nail art!

Step 4: Using a small dotting tool, take your light pink polish and start creating the Breast Cancer Ribbon on your ring finger.
Step 5: Apply a pink glitter polish over the white on your index finger. I used LASplash "Sparkling Rose".
Step 6: Using the same pink glitter, apply it as a french tip to your pinky finger.
Step 7: Using the pink glitter apply it to your thumb in a fading motion starting at the cuticle line working towards the end of your nail.
Step 8: Once all nails are completely dry, apply a generous coat of top coat to seal your designs and add lots of shine. I used Out the Door Top Coat. And your Done!!!!!!

See I told you it was easy. I would love to see your creation of this nail art or what ever design you created for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Send pictures to my Twitter Follow me too!

Thanks for stopping by,

xoxoxoxo
~Lexi