I studied beauty therapy, so have qualifications in nails,waxing, makeup, facials the works. I don’t think I ever wanted to be a therapist deep down. I just loved learning about the beauty industry and what goes into it. Blogging about it is much more up my alley 😉  So, I don’t really do beauty treatments on other people (unless they beg), but of course I can still use my trade on myself, and doing my nails is one of my favourite things to do.

The brand name Kiss for me has always been synonymous with nail care. They have been in the industry a long time and are available in pharmacies, stores and Boots nationwide. The Kiss brand also own Broadway nails. Everything across the brand is very reasonably priced which is great.

So on a lazy evening I like to give myself a little at home manicure and of late it’s being going a little something like this…

My nails are painted 90% of the time, I don’t feel totally put together without it. Before I begin, I take the old polish off and am left with clean bare nails. My nails grow quickly and I don’t like them too long so I take this time to shape and shorten them and make sure they are snag free. *Tip* Always file your nails in one direction, use the file in swipe motions across the tip of the nail, going back and forth can make the nails brittle. Shape them in the way you feel comfortable, for me that’s squared, but it’s a completely personal choice. If you have any lumps or bumps on your actual nails, you can buff the top of the nail very softly to even them out but be sure not to over do it.

Next up, tacking the cuticles.

I can get completely carried away with this step and nipping any loose skin around my nail bed. This can lead to bleeding and even more hard skin. The Kiss No More Cuticles Cuticle Remover is a god send for this task. It dissolves any excess cuticle without a nippers in sight.

You just add some of the liquid around the cuticle, wait 15-30 seconds and then push the cuticle gently back with an orange stick or whatever rounded tool you have to hand. The cuticle remover contains potassium hydroxide, which breaks down and softens the dead skin. Be sure to wash your nails and hands really well after using it.

You should hopefully have clean dry nails now, ready for painting. I am a huge advocate for using a top coat and a base coat. The base coat will protect your nails from discoloration from the nail polish as well as giving you a nice smooth base to add it on top of. Then, the top coat with make your nails lovely and shiny (or matte if you use a matte one) as well as protecting the polish, adding endurance to your nails and simply helping your manicure last longer. If you don’t do it generally, give it a try and I promise you will always do these steps. You can invest in a decent top and base coat for not alot of money and they will last you for a long time.

Your base coat depends on your type of nail. For example, if you have ridged nails use a ridge filling base to smooth your nails and the colour you choose to go on top will look and feel smoother. It will also help strengthen your nails.

I have been using the Kiss Vita Strength Top and Base Coat. It applies smoothly, dries quickly and is cheap which is even better! It multi tasks as a top coat too if you want to simplify things even more.

I apply one coat of this, wait for it to dry and then it’s time for colour, my favourite part 🙂

I chose this pink polish by Seventeen in the colour “Pink Flamingo” in aid of  breast cancer awareness, a cause very close to my heart. You you can text Pink to 50300 and donate 4euro to the Irish Cancer Society. To spread Pink awareness be sure to #PINKPICS to @irishcancersoc if you are rocking something pink in October in honour of someone you know that has battled or lost their battle with the disease. We can make a difference 🙂

I applied one coat, let it dry, then added another one to make the colour nice and opaque. Be sure to keep the coats as thin as you can, or it will take forever to dry. You can always add another coat, if you need it. *Tip* Use the least amount of strokes you can when applying your polish, and paint it across the tip of your nail too, it will help it last longer as it leaves no gap between your nail and the polish.

Let it dry for about 10 minutes and then it’s time for a top coat.

I have using the Kiss Glass Shine Top Coat. It’s a nice glossy top coat, that moves easily. I know that sounds a bit weird, but my favourite type of top coat is a little more runny than your coloured polish, as it means you don’t have to work with it too much on top of the nail, it spreads easily and does the work for you.

Then it’s time to sit back and do nothing for as long as you can to give all your hard work a chance to set. It’s difficult I know but you’ve come so far don’t give up on me now 🙂

I cheat a little and use a nail drying spray to help the polishes on their way a little.

This one is as cheap as chips from Dealz (1.49euro) and does the job of making your nails a little less tacky to the touch.

Always try to use a cuticle cream and hand cream to keep your hands and nails supple and soft, use as often as you can. I keep one in my handbag, in the bathroom and on my bedside table so there is one always there when I need it.

I keep the Kiss All Over Hydrating Balm in my handbag, its so small, handy and is really nourishing.

That was easy wasn’t it?

The lovely people at Chic Treat had Kiss products in their August box. What were you lucky enough to get in yours? 🙂

Of course, you don’t have to use all of these steps all of the time, but it’s good to look after your hands when you can. They will thank you as you get older.

Thanks for reading.

Gemma

xxx