If my beau knew that I was compiling a list of my favourite nail products, he would probably seriously question any reader that would listen to me. As a perpetual nail biter, he's on a constant mission to stop me from biting anytime my fingers make it anywhere close to my mouth. Needless to say, my nails aren't in the best of shape. But, that doesn't mean that my favourite nail products aren't worthy of your attention. Some are handy, some are luxe, but overall they create a powerful arsenal for creating your perfect mani-worthy nail.
I found out about this travel essential nail kit through a tweet by Tweezerman Canada and I responded by questioning why I hadn't know about this little guy sooner. This kit includes 3 nail essential tools: a snipper for pesky hangnails, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file. This is the perfect kit for travelling, or for perpetual nail-biters like me to keep in their purse or office desk drawer for touch-ups. With this kit at the ready, you (read: I) have no excuse to bite, instead of file, the little chips that we all get from time to time.
Once you have your cuticles under control, it's time to give them a good buff and this handy little block from Sephora is the perfect tool. Its got four sides that are each labeled in the order that you are to use them - 1. file, 2. buff, 3. polish, and 4. shine! I like to use this block when I'm doing mindless activities like watching tv, or during a long car ride, and before I know it, those pesky nail ridges are smoothed out. This is a great tool for making your nails the perfect canvas for your favourite polish.
I read a tweet from fellow bloggers last year that the glass nail file is a game changer, and so I had to try it out for myself. They were right. I've had this very nail file for about a year now and it is incredlby reliable, still has texture, and produces a smooth edge. All you need to do to maintain this tool is to give it a quick rinse under warm water after use. The file comes in its own case, which also makes it great for travel. The quality and the fact that this nail file has lasted me for close to a year is worth the $9 I spent on buying it in the first place.
Moisturizing your cuticles is a sure way to keep your nails, and the skin around your nails, looking healthy. I love this Apricot Nutritional Cream by Dior for it's rich texture. It makes me feel as if my cuticles are being coated in the ultimate nail repair moisturizer. At the end of the day, it's a cream for your nails, but it's Dior, and it's a guilty pleasure. I enjoy giving this as a gift as it's a luxe treat and something that all of your fashionable friends can enjoy.
What's the point of putting in all the work to make your nails look good when you don't have a great colour to go on top? For me, I've always loved a polished, nude nail. My favourite nude polish happens to be 'In the Buff' by SpaRitual because it works well with my skin tone. If you love to mix it up and opt for fun nail art, then that's great too! Whatever your nail preference, go with what you love.
I've always said that the easiest, and cheapest, way to brighten a your day is to buy a bottle of nail polish. There's something therapeutic about giving yourself a manicure. It doesn't really matter whether it's the habitual nature of the process that calms me down, or the brightness of a new nail polish colour. What matters is that it's a ritual that's soothing for me. Now, if only I could work on the nail biting thing...
