Let's talk nails
I've always loved having my nails done. I look at my hands approximately 50 hundred times every day, and every time that I look down and see them looking all polished and even, it makes me smile. I feel more put together, and kinda fancy.
Do you want to know how often I used to get my nails done? Once a year. Maybe. Usually because I was in a wedding or maybe it was my birthday. Despite admitting that they made my day a little better every single day, I still felt guilty spending the money on them.
Recently, I decided to try and make little things like this more of a priority. I want to feel like I'm more put together; like I'm worth that extra effort. I have always had this really stupid fear of appearing high maintenance. As if taking care of yourself and wanting to look nice meant that you were flighty. I've since decided that was a really ridiculous way to think, and I've been adding a few things here and there into my beauty regimen. Having my nails done is one of them.
It's still a bit of a struggle finding time, and justifying the money. I spend $25 every 2-3 weeks. Do you know how ridiculous that is to feel guilty about? We spend more than that on a meal out. As for the time? I just do it. Last weekend, I knew I wasn't going to find any other time, so I drug Cash to the nail salon with me. Yeah he was bored, and a little rowdy at times, but it got done and my nails look fabulous.
Now, for the practical tips. I am still really new at all this and learning as I go, so I'll tell you what I do. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions at your salon, even if you feel dumb. Just get over that. I used to get Shellac whenever I went. A regular manicure lasts maybe 1 day for me; I'm too hard on my nails for that option. Shellac involves a gel/UV process, and usually lasts me almost two weeks before they start separating from my nail in places. At this point, I usually would peel them off myself (NOT RECOMMENDED) and my nails would be destroyed for a few weeks. About a month ago, I went in and my nail technician recommended I go with SNS, because of the damage that Shellac was doing to my nails.
The next time I went in I tried it, and I LOVE it. It's a powder/dip process, so they don't use heat or UV rays. They look really great, and they lasted two and a half weeks. The only reason I needed to get them re-done was because they were growing out, and there was the tiniest little hairline crack on the tip of one nail that I incurred by scrubbing my grill without gloves. That's it. I went in yesterday to get them removed and reapplied, and my nails had grown, and seemed to be in pretty great shape. I believe I'm going to stick with this process for awhile.
By all means don't just take my word for it. Try something for yourself. Ask questions and pick a color that makes you smile and keep going back. If it's not your nails, maybe it's your hair, or a new pair of glasses or lipstick or pair of shoes that will have you feeling fab and sassy. It's not just certain women that get to indulge in those types of things, it's all of us. So quit feeling guilty and making excuses, and just go get it done.