My Essential Nail Kit!

Want to get your nails ready and looking special in time for Christmas?  I have the solution (that's worked for me anyway).  I've been playing about with nails and nail products for so long, and I've finally found a set of products that can do no wrong in my eyes.  They work so well together in making my nails strong and healthy...

I don't do this whole step EVERY time I paint my nails, as buffing and using cuticle gel too often isn't good, but every other time I like to do a complete manicure using all of these steps....

1. Remove any existing nail polish with the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover.
2. Remove any gunk from underneath the nails using pointy end of cuticle tool.
3. Wash hands.
4. Remove cuticles.  Apply Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover and leave for a minute or so.  Push back and remove dissolved cuticles with cuticle pusher backer (lol).
5. Wash hands again.
6. Clip nails to desired length using scissors/nail clippers.
7. File to shape (I'm loving square nails at the moment) using the BEST nail file in the world - the Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File.
8. Buff & Shine using any nail buffer, mine has seen better days and really needs replacing.
9. I like to do one last dip in the nail varnish remover to remove any gunk and dehydrate the nail (this helps your nail polish to really cling to the nail.
10. Apply OPI Nail Envy as a basecoat/nail strengthener.  This product is truly amazing in repairing and strengthening weak nails.  It's actually supposed to be used as an intense nail treatment to repair nails over a week (which works by the way), but`I find it also makes a fantastic base and strengthens at the same time.
11. Apply polish.
12. Apply topcoat.  I use Essie's Good to Go, as it dries RAPIDLY and leaves a lovely shine.

And finally... I'm on the lookout for a good cuticle oil to add as a final step, so if anyone has any recommendations - send them my way!

Mwah xx