Spring Special: The $6 Mani Pedi

Thats right lady's, spring is here and it is time to get your mani-pedi on.  But let's be serious, who wants to spend an extra $30 every 2-3 weeks on shinny toes?  I'm all down for the spa pamper every once in a while, but here is a great way to get the spa look for less at home. 

  And I know what your thinking, and yes you do have the time and attention-span to do it.  Grab your polish box before your next date with Tim Gunn or Daniel Tosh, and you'll do just fine.  It's perfect, if you work on your nails between commercials it allows enough time for them to set between coats.  It's kind of like when the chick doing your nails at the salon is able to find something else to do for 3-8 minutes right in the middle of your session.  These brakes between coats will help prevent your polish from looking guppy, and uneven.

                                                   Step 1.  Shape & Smooth 

Emery board (pack of 6 for $1)

 After getting your so last week polish off, you want to file.  Using a regular emery board you want to shape the tips and even out the bed.  If it's been a week or two since your last mani/pedi there should be a funky grove near the bed of your nails where they have grown out, just take a few minutes to soften those up.  

   Step 2.  Buff

Buffer ($1.99)

Next you want to Buff!  My buffer is a cheap stick with 4 sections to give your nails a smooth shine for a perfect base.

                                                  Step 3. Paint

                                           Paint (Let's be serious, you bought it so long ago you don't even know how much it was)

                                           Coat 1, wait at least 3 minutes, Coat 2.

If your doing them at night it's ok to get a bit sloppy, the mess will wash off in the shower.

   Step 4. The Gloss

Healthy Hoof - Hi-Gloss Protectant, Hoof Lacquer ($3.00)
This is a UV protectant, fast drying, hi-gloss made by Gena Spa Products.

I recommend only 1 coat of gloss, unless you used less paint or want to add a 4th coat the next day.  This can be any Hi-Gloss Top Coat, but Healthy Hoof is Freaking Amazing!  It really does work wonders for thin, brittle nails.  You may not be able to find this 0.5 fl oz lacquer it at any drugstore, but sometimes it's at Target, and it's always online.  Click on the Healthy Hoof link above for the cheapest I've found it online so far. 

   Wait at least an hour after you think they are dry to scrub them with soap & water.   And now you've got some hot nails my friend!