7 Nail Resolutions To Make in 2014
I’m pretty lax when it comes to a lot of things, like picking up after myself or staying organized, but I take my nail care seriously. No doubt this blog is a major reason why.
But, based on comments and questions I’ve received over the years, there are still lots of you committing major nail sins when it comes to manicure maintenance. So I’ve come up with 7 Nail Resolutions every nail polish fanatic should follow. I hope you’ll add them to your 2014 list of resolutions/goals. And if you already do all these things, you go, Glen Coco.
7 Nail Resolutions for 2014
1. Step Away From The Cuticle Clippers – Unless you have a hangnail or a serious amount of excess skin, cuticle nippers are unnecessary and can be damaging. Use a cuticle softener (I like Orly Cutique and Sally Hansen Instant) and an orange wood stick to gently push cuticles back.
2. Use Cuticle Oil Daily – When people compliment my cuticles, like Stacie from Pitch Perfect, I attribute it to my hobbies which, “include cuticle care and E! Network.” Seriously, you guys, I never leave home without my trusty cuticle oil pen and I have a bottle of CND Solar Oil on my desk at all times. Using a product like CND Cuticle Eraser is one stop shopping as it takes care of both Resolutions 1 & 2. Tip: I apply Solar Oil before using polish remover to help protect my skin.
3. Stop Overbuffing Your Nail Beds – One thing that can weaken your nails over time is overzealous buffing. Yes, we all want perfectly smooth nails and ridges are the WORST but buffing them to oblivion is only a stopgap. If you must buff, apply cuticle oil first to make it gentler and to nourish the nail bed.
4. Moisturize Hands After Washing – Your hands can age you pretty fast so keep them in tip top shape by moisturizing throughout the day. The easiest way to adhere to this resolution is to keep pump hand lotions by each sink in your house. I stock up on Lubriderm Advanced Therapy. I love that it doesn’t have a girly scent so the boyfriend will it as well. I also apply Dermelect Timeless Anti-Aging lotion before going out because it reactivates in water, eliminating the need to reapply after every washing.
5. File Nails In One Direction – Considering that I often read this advice from professional manicurists in magazines, it kills me every time I get a manicure and the tech saws at my nails, ugh! To get a good seal and prevent water from seeping in to the nail, causing splitting and peeling, file in one direction. I find it best to file from side to middle without overlapping.
6. Ditch The Metal and Rough Grit Files – When I see a manicure set that includes a metal file, I cringe. I mean, who actually uses those things on the regular? They’re awful! Instead, pick up a glass nail file
7. Stop Picking At Your Polish – I hear this all the time from friends and random people I meet. That you peeled off your nail polish, or worse, gel polish. STOP! Stop right now. If you do nothing else on this list, DO THIS! As a reformed nail biter, I understand where you’re coming from and, habits are hard to break but, you need to get over this one. You’re taking off layers of nail with every piece of polish you strip away. Unless you use a peel-off base coat (which I’m still unsure of), you are doing more damage than the pleasure you get from picking affords.
Alright, it’s time for a little honesty. How many of you still do the things I listed above? No judgement! It’s a new year and a new chance to make positive changes in your life.
Will you be adopting any of my resolutions? Or, do you have other nail resolutions you want to make?
I know, personally, I want to weed out my overwhelming stash and get rid of any dupes or dried up old bottles I’ve been hanging on to for sentimental reasons.
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for Dermelect. And while I have received samples from CND and Lubriderm in the past, I continue to re-purchase them on my own. Affiliate links appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
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I still pick my polish! I actually just heard about how bad it is and this just reiterated that! I will definitely stop doing it!
I really do make a conscious effort to file in one direction but I usually lose focus and then that’s the end of that lol I’m a polish picker too (also a reformed nail biter). Especially with glitter polishes. And we can’t stop….. =\ ugh
My biggest faux pas is picking at my polish – I still do that more often than I’d like to admit. And I always cringe when people write things like “Who actually…?” because I am the only one who usually actual-ies, LOL. I use a metal file, and it’s worked decently for me (and I try to file in one direction as MUCH as possible). But I do really want to graduate to glass nail files – are there certain ones you would recommend? Thanks!!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cringe. Those metal files are just so terrible to use, I can’t imagine using them unless you were in an emergency. So rough on the nail. I used to get my glass files from an online site that no longer exists. Since they pretty much last forever, I haven’t bought one in years. There are a ton of cheap ones on Amazon.com
though I’ve read good things about Mont Bleu and ones made in the Czech Republic, in general.
LOL oh no worries – I am just usually always that one person who likes something no one else seems to be into. Who actually likes hairy bar glitter? Uh, me. Who actually likes magnetic polishes? Um me, a little still….and so on
It’s starts to make a girl wonder.
Anyway, I just probably don’t know any better, that’s why metal files don’t seem abhorrent to me. But I shall be an ignoramus no more!! I’ll pick up a glass file, tout (de) suite.
I have no idea why nail techs saw at nails – don’t they read blogs?! lol I’ve really trained myself to file my nails that way and I do a pretty good job of it. I also moisturize my cuticles like crazy (I loved that moment in Pitch Perfect because, yes, cuticle care should be everyone’s hobby) and over the last year I’ve seen a major improvement. The bad habit I really need to work on is polish peeling because, yeah, I do that, esp. with glitter polishes. Sigh…
Thanks for the tips!
I’m a Nail Tech and I saw back and forth on the nails. It is ok to do it lightly as long as you are using a 240 grit or higher. You should never be using anything lower than 240 on the natural nails. If you do…then definitely file in one direction or you will tear up your nails.
I have a horrible addiction to cutting my cuticles! I know its bad but I just can’t seem to stop. I have cuticle clippers all over my house, work, purses, its a huge problem!
Wrangle all the clippers up and put them in a bag and slap a big sticker over them that says “SHAME ON YOU FOR TRYING TO BREAK YOUR RESOLUTION” and hide it somewhere hahahahaha that’d work for me.
Admittedly I still pick at my polish if it’s a chunky glitter :/ I need to get better about cuticle oil too…it just doesn’t go well with having three cats haha!
I need to seriously take your advice about cuticle care! Mine are SO dry and then I pick them, sometimes until they bleed! So gross and ugly but I can’t resist…especially when I’m stressed out. As soon as I’m done typing this, I’m digging mine out of the closet and vowing to actually use it!
Do it! You know I’ll be checking up on you
I’m terrible about picking, but getting better. I pick if there’s a chip but am trying SO hard to stop.
I was also terrible about moisturizing. My hands are out in the elements all the time and were so chapped even coconut oil burned to put on. I got a really thick lotion for Christmas and put it on all the time now and it’s helping so much.
1. I’ve always stayed away from cuticle clippers… Yikes!
good luck, girls.
2. I’m pretty good with cuticle oil, but I’m not to the point where I use it every day yet.
3. I don’t actually have a problem with ridges so I don’t buff too often. Maybe once a month.
4. I use hand lotion a lottttttttttt. A lot. But I wouldn’t say EVERY time after I wash my hands.
5. This is a tough one… If I have a lot of filing to do (say my nails are long and I’m in the mood to file them down to shorties) then sometimes I don’t have the patience to file in one one direction (I know, I’m bad). But if I’m just doing typical filing and nothing major- I file in one direction.
6. I use a crystal nail file.
7. Oh my gosh NO. I could never pick at my polish. I don’t understand girls who do… I mean we work sooooooo hard to make your manicure look perfect then just to ruin it and pick it away?! Nooooo!!! Lol. Great post…. Cute idea.
And I will be finally purchasing a glass nail file this week. ;o)
Excellent excellent tips – I really should moisturize and use cuticle oil more frequently!!
I travel with a glass file but don’t use it at home. Silly, right?
Off to find my cuticle oil and cream
Happy 2014!
That’s funny since I don’t travel with my glass file for fear of it breaking, ha!
I have a mini glass file that came with a little metal case (from Cult Nails.) I keep it in a cosmetics bag in my purse so if I find a rough bit or I get a chip I can smooth it out right away instead of picking at it.
I commented about this a while back, but for some reason it looks like the comment was never approved. It didn’t have any links or anything, so I’m not sure which guidelines it violated. Anyway, you can get glass files in either regular or mini sizes with metal cases from Cult Nails. The metal case will keep it safe.
Sorry, SJ, it’s not your comment, it’s me. I’m behind on approving and replying to comments and still catching up! Thanks for letting me know about the metal case. I didn’t know they were available.
I pick and peel my polish and sometimes even gel polish if it begins to chip. And then I get upset when my tips start to peel and break… I know this habit is incredibly silly, but it’s so hard to stop! I just cut all my nails down to nubs to get rid of the damage. I’m starting fresh and new in 2014 trying to kick this awful habit!
I know how hard those habits are to break. I would bite mine down to the quick. Gross, I know! Good luck with stopping!
I’m a picker too, but I’m more aware of it now that I’m trying harder to take care of my nails. I recently starting using cuticle balm a few times a day, and even though I don’t think my cuticles were that dry to start, with it helps me be more aware of my goal to take better care of my nails and hands.
My Nail resolution is to stop picking off the polish with my fingers and to use proper polish remover…. bad blogger :o). Xx
I love this list!! I do not use cuticle oil daily although I know I should.
I was really good about it a few years ago and my nails looked amazing! I actually went to Sephora yesterday to get the brush on oil (learned about it on your website!) but I couldn’t find it so I’m going to order it online. Also I probably should be more careful about not overlapping when I file my nails. I do file in one direction but I think I probably overlap more than I should. A resolution I have for myself is to find a new storage solution for all of my polishes!
As a recently graduated Nail Tech, I cringe.
In Iowa, we can’t even learn to use a cuticle nipper without a license, and the video used does it the wrong way!
Overbuffing the nail plate is serious, I would suggest ridge filling base coat under polish.
Sawing is bad! We’re taught to file corner to center. I’ve seen major improvement with peeling nails by doing this.
Absolutely yes with moisturizing and cuticle oil.
Take your glass file with you by making use of a file caddy or at least a toothbrush travel container.
A piece of advice that makes me giggle every time I hear it: Your nails are jewels, not tools!
Going to stop over buffing and concentrate to file side to middle! It
Well, I actually do think that metal files are wonderful ^^”. I use mine since years, and it’s still the best file I’ve ever had (but unfortunately the handle broke, so I had to glue it… lol ._. ). Always when I use glass files those things are getting super-useless after a short amount of time – I don’t know why, but they just become so smooth and it is just not possible anymore to file anything down with it (this happend with 3 or 4 filed within 3 months). So I’ll always come back to my metal file, and for toe nails a grit file from OPI.
Hehe =’D
Hey, this post made me feel pretty good as I already practice all seven of those tips! I am currently using CND Solar Oil as well but I’m also a big fan of DeLore Nails Organic Nail Hardener and Nail Polish Dryer. I even keep extras of these around my house in case a guest comes over with jacked up cuticles! LOL! I also keep cuticle oil and TWO types of lotion in my bag: one with sunscreen, one without. I’m just saying NO to sun damage on my hands!
Great post, thanks for sharing! XOXOXO
Hey ALU Thanks for this post! I am able to check them all off except the glass nail file which I clearly need to order.
As a reformed nail biter and polish picker (reformed since 2000) I discovered if I could find a “magical” solution to my picking needs I would be able to stop both habits quickly. For me one lead to the other. So here is my secret – I swear I have never been able to pick my polish of since this – OPI chip skip and ALWAYS use CND Sticky as my base coat. Now as for the topcoat – I know from all of the nail blogs everyone loves how shiny Seche which I agree it is – but my go to topcoat is CND Super Shiny. For the same reason – I can’t pick it off and a shiny finish doesn’t do you any good if you can pick your polish off in layers.
I’m a good girl! I do all those things and get a lot of compliments on my nails.
I thought if you use a crystal file it was okay to file back and forth.
You will always get a much better seal at the edge if you file in one direction. Crystal files are definitely finer and will not leave as ragged a edge but it’s still good practice to file in one direction.
My cuticles would grow more than a quarter way up my nail if I didn’t trim them regularly. Pushing them back and products like Sally Hansen Instant just don’t “cut it” for me. Ha.
I think that this idea that cutting cuticles is the WORST THING EVER OMG is a bit overhyped because there IS a proper way to do it, if you must (and I must).
If you don’t cut all of them off, you’re usually fine (people tend to think of cutting cuticles as “shaving your head” and opposed to “getting a trim”). If you don’t tug at them when you trim, you’re not likely to make any additional tears, and if you keep your hands and nippers clean, you’re not likely to get an infection.
That’s my two cents.
Hi Florence! Thanks for sharing. Like I said in my post, you are an example of when there is excessive skin and cuticle nippers are necessary. Similar to when they’re used on a hangnail. Though there are a LOT of nail techs who overuse nippers when all that is necessary is a simple push back. And at-home users pick up on those techniques and end up with cuts. I’ve been cut way too many times, unnecessarily, and don’t want others to have the same experience.
I am vowing to be better at using cuticle oil/balms/ointments etc. My cuticles have always been a problem for me, I used to cut cut cut them even DAILY so you know it was bad. I actually wrote a blog post about it haha. I’ve since gotten better at cutting, but still find myself using those nasty nippers every once in a while. It’s an ongoing process of “recovery” for me haha.
My other resolution is to use my glass file instead of grit ones, as I still sometimes get peel-ies and I’m hoping that will help
I actually do use a metal file, only on the sides of my nails when necessary tho because my glass one doesn’t fit. Here’s to better nails in 2014!
I’m pretty good on most of those, but I admit I do still file back and forth because it makes it so much faster to shorten my nails.
Love this post
I am a licensed nail tech and was also taught to always file side to center on natural nails… after I got my license and was working at a salon I noticed the OWNER sawing away on a natural nail client. After her client left, I asked her if she knew something I didn’t (I was new to the field afterall) she told me that things change, and the side to center method is, in short, an archaic practice… I didn’t last long there, and still file my nails side to center; it just feels right. I didn’t look into the validity of what she said however.
I am also a reformed nail biter; polish actually helped me to stop biting. Now I’m picking though
I try to justify this by telling myself that it is somehow better than the acetone knowing full well what I am doing to the layers of my nails. Granted, they are/were on the thick side… but they certainly won’t be for long. Perfect resolution for me.
As for the others, I take fairly good care of my cuticles. Where I live it’s biting cold right now; if I didn’t have my Burts Bees or my Solar Oil I would be in bad bad shape.
My nail polish peels off in whole pieces at a time. I work in a deli and I’ll wash my hands and look down and one of my nails is now bare. Is that bad for my nails too? I can help it, they peel off on their own. And then of course when a couple peel off, I have to peel them all off.
If polish comes off on its own, there shouldn’t be any damage. It’s when you peel off polish that is adhered to the nail, that you can take off layers of nail. That’s why I fear the nail art stickers. Peeling them off has always left my nail beds looking ragged. I only use the ones made of polish or use the stickers over polish so they don’t come in direct contact with my nail.
I fail at 2, 4, and 7. My cuticles are never cut, but I never remember to put on cuticle oil so they’re always a disaster.
My biggest problem are hangnails. I hate using cuticle clippers and I never know where to cut them so that they don’t just grow back all hangnail-ish and keep the vicious cycle going. I only have them on a few fingers, especially on my dominant hand, but they are rather bothersome.
I have a recurring one of my right index finger and I hate it. I don’t clip it because I’m afraid of using cuticle nippers with my non-dominant hand. I know I should let a pro take care of it but I’m so picky about letting anyone else give me a manicure.
I do all of these things except filing in one direction! I’ll definitely have to start doing that so my nails don’t split at the corners. Thanks for the tip on SolarOil! I’ve been using Essie Apricot Oil, but I’m always on the lookout for new/better products for my cuticles.
Essie Apricot Oil is great as well. I think I’m just so used to using Solar Oil, plus I love the scent, that it’s become my go-to.
Sephora sells a glass file that includes a case. It literally goes everywhere with me. I’m also a terrible polish picker. If I have a rough phone call at work or am stressed or bored, or if I find a chip, or if it’s a day that ends in Y, I’ll pick at them. I’ve more or less solved this by keeping a small container of remover at my desk (and in my car during the summer) so that I can salvage what I can before they’re completely shredded. I follow this up with some orly cuticle oil and then a coat of clear polish to protect from typing damage during the day.
Wear sunscreen! Use hand cream with SPF and reapply-often. Protect the skin on your hands, face,and neck everyday.
Excellent tip Keli! Why don’t all hand lotions contain sunscreen? It should be a requirement.
I also have a problem with picking my polish and oh, how I wished I had read more on your website, Michelle because I had my first CND Shellac over the holidays and absolutely fell in love with it and will definitely use again but oh, guess what, yep, on three of my nails I picked the polish off and now I’m in rescue mode on my index finger – can’t believe I was so foolish! I quit biting my nails in 2008 after reading your blog, use a glass nail file, hand lotion like crazy, still have problem with dry cuticles but will try the CND cuticle eraser and now I’m putting Solar oil and cuticle oil on my three nails like crazy to hydrate them and yes, I lifted some layers of my nail on my index finger – just thank goodness I have healthy nails. I don’t know what to use now as a treatment besides cuticle oil to help with the roughness on my a small portion of my nail bed – what on earth was I thinking – not!!!!
Oh no! I’m sorry you’re in rescue mode. Shellac is some tough stuff. I can’t imagine trying to pick it off. Best of luck with your healing.
I have such dry skin. I am a photo tech and lotions are not allowed. My nails are so thin from getting my nails done years ago. They just were never the same. I take suppliments, eat right, I have cracked skin on my right thumb that no matter what I do it always stays cracked and won’t heal, water makes it worse. What to do?
Wow, Norma, I’m sorry you’re having such issues with your hands. Are you allowed to wear gloves at work so you can apply lotion and have it not affect your work? I still blame getting acrylics on why my nails are so weak. If only I knew then what I know now.
My best suggestion is to lotion the heck out of your hands when you’re not at work. Wear a thick creamy hand lotion to bed, with cotton gloves on, and see if that helps. Maybe it will offset the dryness from your work environment. Another thought it to pick up a paraffin bath. I got a cheap one from Homedics at Target. Apply a thick hand cream, dip in the paraffin wax and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Regular treatments should help. Good luck!
Ok, I am about to reveal bad things, and I need some tips. (gulp) I do not use cuticle oil. I know I need to, and I have been starting to look into them, but here is my problem. I work in an office and handle paperwork ALL DAY, and I worry about it getting on everything since it’s an oil. Can someone give me some advice about a cuticle product that isn’t oily, and itsn’t terribly expensive for my first foray into this? I’ve heard about a gel kind, but don’t know a name to search for it.
I don’t use metal files, but I also don’t file in one direction ALWAYS. I try to moisturize any time I wash my hands because handling all the paper that I handle, it leeches the moisture out of them. And finally… I am a polish picker. Not always, mind you, only say… maybe one out of every 4-8 manis, but sometimes even longer. It kind of depends on if it’s already chipped and my boredom level. Now that I know that is probably what is causing a couple of my nails to peel, I shall do my best to stop. We need a “pickers anonymous” or something. lol
Hi Amanda! I’m proud of you for feeling comfortable enough to share. Thank you! Cuticle oil can be super messy so I get not wanting to use it in the workplace. That’s why I carry the Sephora Nourishing cuticle oil pen. It comes out as a gel so it doesn’t get all over the place. So easy and convenient. The Qtica Solid Gold cuticle gel would be another option though it’s a little messier than Sephora’s version.
And being a former accountant and living with a CPA, I understand the whole paper handling issue. I would recommend Neutrogena Fast Absorbing Hand Cream. It’s not greasy and it works.
Finally, I hope you can break your nail polish picking habit. I think most people don’t realize the damage it can do. Those kind of habits are oddly satisfying, even if they’re bad for us. Good luck!
AMEN! Amen Amen Amen. Seems like I’m always telling people these things! I do have to say oil is not enough for my cuticles, I have to use a heavier cuticle cream at night and wow, can you tell when I skip a couple days . . . preach on sister!!
I never picked my nail polish until I started using glitter. I usually get my hair caught when I am shampooing in the shower, and I stop and break off the offending hair puller. I will check my nails before I enter the shower from now on. I will make a resolution right this moment to use the cuticle oil and retire my cuticle clippers. Great post!
Picked up a bottle of cuticle oil last night and have already used it. I’m resolved to polish my nails regularly – they had been in pretty sad shape lately with all the cooking and cleaning and washing of dishes. They look nice right now, but that’s because we have a wedding to attend tomorrow afternoon. Going to try to do it as an everyday thing rather than just for special occasions. Thanks for the inspiration and the great advice on polish!
I pick at my polish
I know it’s bad, but I can’t seem to stop! I have stopped biting my nails, so I know I can overcome this, haha. I also have a bad habit of filing my nails in different directions, but I am working on that 
I have cuticle oils/creams and hand lotions all over the place. Every time I buy a new one, I have absolute intentions of using them and just don’t. I need to start doing that!
Thank you for reminding us these 7 commands which are the basis and the minimum to have attractive hands.
The simplest of nail art will be much better emphasized by hands and well-kept nails.
I always took care of my hands, but since I make a mani every two days, I pay even more attention on my nails.
For me, if you should make only a single thing as care, it would be the application twice a day of CND Solar Oil.
It is very difficult to find it in France – and in an exorbitant price – but for my nails which are not terrible, that changed everything.
Even with polish on nails every day, besides with glitter, and acetone which flows like water, they became beautiful, long, do not break practically any more except accident and do not double any more.
This oil is just amazing. With it, I think that it is not necessary to use all these products to harden, prevent from being divided into halves and that the brands sell us at a high price.
In fact, and however paradoxical it is, I think that less we put it on nails better they go.
Moreover, I am not sure that all these products are very safe for nails, like peel-off base coat. I agree with you : I use it since I discovered indie polishes a little month ago and I have some doubts.
Probably a dumb question, but are you still supposed to use cuticle oil when you have polish on? I use Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream and that’s what I do, I just don’t know if it’s doing any good with having nail polish on (I usually keep one color on per week, I know some people change colors more frequently). Everything else I’m pretty much good on. Except nail polish picking. That only happens when I have chunky glitter on though. Had one with star glitter that didn’t lay flat. It drove me insane until I got that stupid star off (I do not wear that polish anymore).
Absolutely. It won’t harm your polish, though a butter, like the one from Burt’s Bees, can make it look dull when first applied. It’s great stuff though and I used to use it all the time. Except it’s not as convenient to stick my finger in the pot when I’m out and can’t wash my hands. For that reason, I prefer the pens and oils but it’s strictly a preference thing.
I admit, I’m a nipper addict. But I just nip the insane exta bits if they are raised up from the nail plate. The removers just irritate my skin, so I just push the excess back while my hands are wet, rub off any I can (every day in the shower, hey, it works for me), then nip any odd stragglers.
Oil however is what cured my picking habit – mostly. I want to start picking, I break out my oil pen and apply it instead. So my cuticles are (probably) over oiled, but my nails aren’t trashed.
I’m giving up some of my current bad habits –
1 – Looking for a base coat other than CND Stickey – Stickey works, nothing else does. I am admitting defeat! And I’ll just got stock up on Stickey.
2 – Then, I’m going to quit drooling over Zoya colors. They only tease me, then I buy, and then I remember the brand and I do not get along at all. Color doesn’t want to lay over Stickey, Zoya base is a better peel off base coat than PVA glue, and the top coat acts like acetone to everything but Zoya, and the polish always bubbles like mad and chips in a matter of hours. Seriously, I can find no one else who has Zoya reacting with Stickey and Out The Door or CND’s Super Shiny, but every single dang bottle does the same thing. I’d say it’s a bad bottle or color – but it’s 20 some odd bottles and colors now.
Wow, that’s crazy about Zoya polish. I don’t know if I’ve worn that exact combo with their polish but I’ve never had bad wear like that. Bummer!
I think part of my issue starts that the Zoya base does not stick to my nails. Which isn’t a shock, as nothing but CND’s Stickey does.
Then, at least on my nails (and I realized I have seen others have a similar report but not to the extreme), Zoya color doesn’t work with Stickey as a base. So it bubbles and shrinks and behaves horribly.
I prefer CND’s Super Shiny top coat, or CND’s Air Dry. Both of which should be ok over Zoya as far as I can tell. But they dry fine, the Zoya is worse and never cures. Zoya color also won’t cure under Out The Door which is one that should work with it.
And the Zoya top coat is just awful. It’s stupidly slow to dry, worse than Super Shiny. It doesn’t do any protection of the color once I fought it on. And if it’s not Zoya and Zoya alone (I’ve got other 5 free polishes that should work with the top coat), it dissolves the color worse than acetone.
Granted, I still have a bottle of the top coat. If I’ve got a glitterbomb on and an annoyed hangnail, I just use the top coat to remove the glitter instead of acetone.
I was REALLY GOOD at using moisturizer before I went to bed. Theeeen I had this superstressy period, and I kinda forgot to moisturize. And I am a picker. And I pick with my teeth, which means that I probably have swallowed picked polish pieces, and that cannot be good. So I will STOP that. And I will START moisturize ALL the time.
Must must must stop picking my polish! I thought it must be doing all kinds of crap to my nail, and now I know! I’m very good regarding the other six, though.
With regards to filing: if using a glass file, do you think it’s better to file with the old polish still on, or once it’s been removed?
Great list – thank you!
I do it both ways. I think having polish on when you file can help you see the shape better but I don’t know that it’s better either way
Thank you for replying
I think I shall live dangerously and try filing after removal. It takes an age with a glass file!