Yes, we are living in an uncertainty times nowadays with the Italy bailout, Greece issue, US economy going up one minute and down the next minute, relationship issue, family issue, exams, etc...
but there are ways to keep us away for those issues for awhile, recharge our batteries so that we can keep going when the going gets tough...
Well, one way is by travelling, but with the tight budget and tight timeline, some of us might not been able to do it..
so, the alternative way is to do retail therapy or by pampering ourselves. It doesnt have to be something like buying expensive stuff or going to the spa which can be very expensive sometimes. There are some spa promotions nowadays with cheaper price but Im sure the sales staff will ask you to buy packages from them which in the end you will need to be willing to listen to their offer for half an hour which in the end makes you spend more or maybe a bit irritated after that..
another smart way is to do your own simple spa at home. and the good news is that it only takes about 30 mins of your time, 15 mins to do the preparation and applying, the other 15 mins to dry your nails.
if you are in hurry, you can use drying aids, ie. speedy topcoats or finishing sprays.
Here's how to do it.
1. Remove old lacquer using nail-polish remover and a paper towel or a cotton pad.
2. File your nails while they're dry. You will need to file before soaking to get a better shape. Overly abrasive files, including anything metal, will promote peeling, so always choose a fine-grade emery board. The best technique: File in one direction using smooth strokes while sawing back and forth can break the nail.
3. Soften nails and cuticles in a bowl of warm water mixed with cuticle oil, olive oil or body lotion. i.e. with OPI Avoplex cuticle oil 15ml (SGD20). After 10 minutes of soaking, dry off and apply cuticle cream or lotion. Gently ease cuticles back by making tiny circles against the cuticle with an orangewood stick (a thin wooden stick with a slant-edge tip at both ends; it's sold in drugstores) wrapped in cotton.
Next, rub cuticles with a warm, damp washcloth in the same gentle way. The circular motion helps slough away that white membrane, which is dead cuticle skin. Do not cut it as it can result in infection.
4. Wash away oil or lotion with soap and water, and dry nails thoroughly. Rubbing them with polish remover again (as they do at salons) shouldn't be necessary as it can over-dry nails.
5. Apply a basecoat. (OPI Base coat - SGD22) It holds polish in place so it lasts longer and it also can prevent dark lacquers from tinting your nails.
6. Sweep on polish the way they do at salons, in three strokes, from base to tip: Go up the center, then hit each side. Use one dip per nail, and wipe the brush once per dunk before applying to nail.
7. Wait two minutes between each coat of color (base and topcoats included) to speed overall drying time. (OPI colors -SGD14).
8. Finish with a topcoat. (OPI Top coat - SGD22) It is recommended to use a topcoat that's designed to be shiny and protective. It helps prevent water loss, so nails break less which at the end will keep your nail healthy.
9. Touch up any polish mistakes after nails are dry (working on wet nails guarantees smudging). Use a cotton swab and polish remover, or try a pen made for this specific purpose. If you have a smudge, gently rub it out with a dab of polish remover. When dry, polish only the affected area, then cover the entire nail with a topcoat.
Have fun!
left to right: DS Vintage - Rare (SGD50); DS Saphire(SGD35); DS Royal - Rare (SGD50); DS Reflection(SGD35); DS Original(SGD35); DS Extravaganza(SGD35)
left to right: DS Desire - Very Rare (SGD70); DS Dazzle - Very Rare (SGD70); DS Couture - Rare(SGD50); DS Chiffon - Rare(SGD50). Note; As Every year, OPI will discontinue a few colors, same as these colors, some are already discontinue thus, it is becoming a rare items and it is difficult to get them. so the price will gone up. but all these discontinued items are all new items.
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