Base Coats: Are they necessary or a waste of time?

From left to right:  Essie's "Fill the Gap" ridge smoothing base coat,  Maybelline New York "Express Finish 50 Second Base & Top Coat",  ASK Cosmetics' Base Coat, 

Seche Clear - Crystal Clear Base Coat

 

You don't need to make an appointment at the salon and spend tons of money on getting the perfect manicure or pedicure.  It's possible to do it at home if you follow the right steps.

 

Experts say these steps begin with a clear base coat, which helps your polish of choice stick to your nails more easily.  A base coat also creates a barrier that in turn aids in protecting your nails from the damaging effects of nail varnish.  Base coats prevent staining and peeling, AND they will give your polished nails a more even texture.

 

Base coats come in different varieties:  plain, ridge-filler varieties and a dual purpose top & base coat in one.  Ridge-filling base coats are thicker than regular ones.  As their task is to fill in any lines, ridges and grooves giving the nails a smoother-looking appearance.

 

After the base coat dries (and it should dry relatively quickly with the exception of ASK Cosmetics' Base Coat which remains slightly tacky for better adherence of the polish), apply 2 thin coats of lacquer rather than one in order to give your nails a richer look.  Side note - by applying thin layers of polish your DIY manicure will last longer and not be as prone to chipping.  If you want to skip the coloured polishes altogether, you can simply use a base coat on its own to make your nails look shiny, but natural.

 

Finish off every manicure or pedicure with a good quality top coat to seal in the polish, create a shiny appearance and prevent chipping during wear.  Be advised that some products (Maybelline Express Finish 50 Second Base & Top Coat as seen above) combine a base and top coat functionality, but they may not work as well as the individual base and top coats.

 

So, although it may seem like a hassle at the time, base coats do extend the life of your manicure and help to avoid yellowed nails if you lean towards very pigmented shades such as fire-engine red!

 

 

Do you take the extra step to apply base coat?  If so, what is your favourite brand?

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Can't wait to connect with you - til then, Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

Want strong nails? Here's what you should eat to have naturally healthy, strong nails!

The majority of us have an array of lotions and potions in our bathrooms designed to keep our hair and nails in tip-top shape, but most of the things we need for shiny, radiant hair and strong, healthy nails can be found in the kitchen.

Just like every other part of our body, our hair and nails are at their strongest and healthiest when we eat a balanced, healthy diet that contains an adequate amount of protein and plenty of vitamins as well as minerals.

 

In fact, no amount of pampering will get hair and nails looking great if you don't have a nourishing diet. Believe it or not, the part of your hair and nails we actually see is dead tissue (otherwise cutting them would hurt terribly). However, it also means they are the last parts of our body to receive nutrients when we are ill or have a poor diet and their condition can speak volumes about our health.

 

This short video by POP SUGAR gives you a good overview of the kinds of foods you should definitely incorporate into your every day eating plan to cover the most important nutrients nails require to be strong and healthy: protein, iron, minerals.

 

A word of caution - spending tons of money on supplements such as calcium, biotin and gelatin pills will not help your nails significantly. It all boils down to your dietary habits and the foods mentioned below. The only supplement you should invest in is a good multi-vitamin tablet, and even then, if your diet consists mainly of fruits and vegetables it is questionable whether you need to take this or not. Do not be lured into thinking calcium or gelatin can improve the quality of your nails.

Let's get social:

Follow me here on this blog for helpful nail care tips!
Tweet with me on Twitter!
Pin with us on Pinterest!
Fan us on Facebook!
Watch me on YouTube!
Follow also via Instagram @TIPSbyASKCosmetics (that's me!)

Can't wait to connect with you - til then,  Lisa Mueller