DIY Monday- Fancy Fingers

Today I made like a housewife (a real housewife of Atlanta, mind you) and headed to the nail salon for a mani and pedi. I know, I know, how un TWIMO thrifty of me, but I have an excuse. I have very flat feet that cause very bad calluses that hurt (I know, gross. I know, this is the internet, a public domain. Now people know I have gross feet. Maybe someone will feel bad for me and hire me). Okay, back to business. So I got a mani and pedi and it was wonderful and my feet and fingers look great EXCEPT I always ruin the nail polish before it dries all the way which then makes me very angry, because I just spent good $$ on it!!! So to save you the agony of ruining your professionally polished digits I will tell you the secret to doing your nails at home, which is usually what I do unless my calluses get bad. So, I don't know how to do that whole cuticle cutting thing so I leave that to the pros, but I do know how nail places get that lacquer hard polish that lasts months, so if you follow my tips and let your nails dry appropriately you will have a salon quality paint job.

Step 1: Apply Bonder. This is a sticky top coat that makes the polish bond to the nail. I use the Orly Bonder which is available at places like Sally Beauty Supply.

Step 2: Polish with a high quality polish. My weapon of choice is O.P.I. I know, I know it is $8 a bottle, but in this case you get what you pay for in my opinion. Plus, $8 will get you a lot of paint jobs and is a heck of a lot cheaper than $20 for a mani.

Step 3: Top coat with Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat. You must use this brand! This is the true key to the ever lasting mani. I think this is the problem I have at some nail salons. They don't use something like this product and then I go and ruin my nails. When I do them at home they dry close to instantly with this stuff. Also a bit pricey at $8, but sooo worth it. Also available at Sally Beauty.

Check out this website for more detailed info on the TWIMO Indestructible Manicure (okay, okay someone else also knew my secret, but I swear I discovered this on my own, I just found this looking for a product image).

So, TWIMO-ers go out there and get those toesies and fingers polished pretty for the fall. I recommend a nice dark vampy color. Now if only it wasn't 90 degrees out.