From traditional manicures to press ons, we’re here to help you achieve manicure greatness
If your nails have been looking a bit underwhelming these past few months, you’re not alone. With everything going on in the world, nail care has definitely fallen by the wayside for many of us. That said, a fresh manicure can help make you feel confident, classy, and put together. If you’re ready to get back on the horse, we’ve got some great suggestions to make sure you nail it on the first try. Looking for some self-care recommendations? Treat yourself with some of Team KCM’s favorite products.
#1 Traditional Mani/ Pedi (made very easy!)
When it comes to helping you execute a flawless at-home mani/pedi, one brand is the clear winner: Olive and June. Their patented Poppy Polish Brush Handle pops easily onto the top of your favorite polish to give you a level of control and accuracy you never thought possible — especially when painting with your non-dominant hand. Their range of polish colors will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store. We suggest you take the plunge and try the Mani System. It comes with every single tool you need for a perfect manicure, including the Poppy, a cuticle serum, and even a polish remover pot. If pedis are more your jam, don’t worry. They have a system for those too. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Olive and June are committed to helping you achieve your best mani/pedi ever. They even offer manicure 101 videos and free online classes to help take your nails to the next level.
#2 “Gel-ish” Manicure
If you have some home mani experience under your belt, you might be feeling brave enough to branch out to a gel-like polish. Essie makes a Gel Couture Polish that stays on longer and feels thicker on your nails than their traditional polish. It doesn’t need a base coat — just apply the color and follow up with Essie Gel Couture Top Coat. For color, we love Essie Gel Couture Polish in The It Factor. It’s a perfect tropical pink that’s sure to have you daydreaming of warm days ahead.
#3 Powder Dip Manicure
Powder manicures became popular when people started getting wary about the potential dangers of the UV light required for gel manicures. Essentially, you paint each nail with a sticky coating and then dip it into a small jar of colored powder until you get the desired pigment. We suggest trying this Color Dip Starter Kit, which comes with top coat, activator, base coat, and nail powder. We’ll warn you: The powder manicure is not for the faint of heart, since an uneven application can result in lumpy, overly thick nails. But if you’ve got the time and patience to commit to it, it will stay on for weeks.
#4 Press on Nails
Since the pandemic started, press-on nails have been having a moment. These are an easy way to change up your nail length or experiment with nail art without having to commit to hours in a salon chair. When it comes to press-on nails, nothing beats the brand KISS for the quality and price. For a more natural look, we suggest their Acrylic Nude French Nails in Cashmere, or for a pop of springy color try the Gel Fantasy Sculpted Nails in Juice. Feeling extra bold? Unleash your inner queen with the Majestic Nails in Sparkle.
#5 Nail Restoration
If you have weak, brittle nails, you’ve probably tried a number of quick fixes. People rave about the wonders of moisturizing nail strengthener Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Cream, and there’s a reason why Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails products have been around for so many years. But if you’re looking for the most cutting-edge solution available, there’s a new product on the market called Stimunail. It’s a device that uses a combination of gentle heat, LED light, and vibrating massage to help stimulate nail growth, and it only requires three minutes of treatment a day.
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