Giveaway: Nailipop Manicure Strips

Moment of honesty, I went tried to go to a local nail salon yesterday and get my nails did. Instead there was a mini tornado that kept me from leaving the house. While, sometimes you have to know when to call in the professionals and this was could have been one of those moments, it wasn't... downed trees and disabled cars prevented me from being able to get anywhere even though the weather calmed down. Since I hadn't been keeping up with my own manicures my nails and cuticles were in rough shape. Thanks to some expert pampering (by me) everything is back to normal so next week I can get back into "do it yourself" mode maybe try again.

Now for the reason your all really here, the giveaway. I can't think of a better giveaway for #manimonday than these Nailipop manicure strips. As I've mentioned before they are an excellent option is you are looking for an inexpensive, quick, and easy manicure with one of the most eclectic selections of patterns. Thankfully Nailipop threw in some extra sets with my last order (aren't they the best) and I am want to share those with you so you can try them out and flex your do it yourself manicure muscles.

This giveaway will be until June 14, 2015 and is open to ALL readers in USA. Enter via the widget below and best of luck to everyone!

Entry-Form

Nail Files: Expressionist

As you might have seen there was a flurry of articles this week regarding health concerns and abhorrent conditions for nail salon workers in New York City and surrounding areas. You didn't see them? Well, if you were following me on Twitter you would have. The articles definitely made me think about this industry that I have been partaking in (however irregularly) since high school in a different light and right as the pedicure season is upon us... But, do I really want to support an industry that does not properly compensate their hard workers? How about one that puts them at risk for major health problems? Not, really. How about you?

This weekend I gave myself a mani/pedi. It wasn't as intricate as last week but, thanks to Nailipop manicure strips it didn't have to be to look that way. I love all the colors in this design and putting them on was a piece of cake. Here are some things that I know to be true about putting on manicure strips:

1. Make sure your nails are super clean before you start.
2. Make sure that you hold the nail strip to your nail for at least 30 seconds so that it adheres effectively. The stickiness of the strip and the heat from your hand should help create a strong bond.
3. File the manicure strip in a DOWNWARD motion it’ll help keep the end of the strip from lifting with a small grit file to create and even/clean edge.

These tips works with every type of nail strip I have tried so far. Do you use nail strips or do you stick with polish? If so, what types of polish strips do you prefer. 

Nail Files: Pool Boy Tips

Every weekend, more or less, I give myself a manicure (and possibly pedicure.) Haven't you seen them on Instagram? No, well, follow me here. Since most manicures don't last more than a week, if that, and I prefer the polished look, overall, it makes sense that a manicure would be part of my weekend routine. Why not go get my manicure done at a salon? There are a few reasons... 

• Practice makes perfect
• I am trying to work through all the goodies I currently have
• Manicures don't grow on trees

This week I couldn't get the idea of a twist on a french manicure out of my head so I went for it using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pool Boy from a past POPSUGAR Must Have box. It just screams "spring" to me, how about you? No, well get your hearing checked. I used to think that giving myself a french manicure would be impossible, especially when using my non-dominant hand, but, as you can see, practice makes perfect less messy. What kind of manicure are you rocking this week? 

I'm linking up with Trend Spin