Back to Basics: Nail Edition

Hi friends & Happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone’s week is off to a WONDERFUL start! 

By now, a few things about me should be pretty darn obvious… 

1) I’m obsessed with ALL things lips (lip filler, lip balm, lipstick, lip gloss, you name it I love it) 

2) I am horror movie obsessed (don’t ask me to see a movie that doesn’t involve blood + gore, because I shan’t be available haha)

3) I LOVE to read (mainly murder mysteries however this year I’ve been dabbling in ALL of the genres 😉 )

4) Coffee, coffee, coffee. The very thought of coffee + all things caffeine excites me (and my heart…get it haha) to my very core.

Annnnd, 

5) I can’t bear to have naked, shellac free nails (but seriously, the very thought of it makes me feel … icky haha). 

And speaking of nails, you may have noticed that I like to share with you my favorite nail trends for every season. I mean, why not save you from the hours of Pinterest scrolling  before heading to the nail salon when I can simply do it for you! You’re welcome (haha). 

While I LOVE the idea of fun, Pinterest-worthy nails, prior to COVID, I would describe my nail habits as being, well…basic. Like SO basic, that even the ladies that do my nails know to have the nude swatches ready for me when I sit down. They can’t believe it when I say that I’m going to switch out my usual OPI Bubble Bath for a Linkin Park After Dark kinda shade (aka black)! No little designs or fancy nail shapes for this gal, give me a square nail and a solid, nude shade & let’s call it a day. 

Earlier this year, when we were in COVID lockdown and the nail salons were closed, all I could dream about (well besides travelling + living my best life) was getting THE most over the top nails. I’m talking fun mermaid nails or, oh I don’t know, maybe a cute little lemon design or something. So after months of building my Pinterest nail board with tons of trendy ideas, I vowed to step out of my comfort zone and spice up my nail game as soon as the salons opened up! 

Even though businesses in Ontario started to open up at the end of August/beginning of September, I waited a couple of weeks before stepping foot in the nail salon. But once I felt safe, there was no stopping me + my nails! Check out a few of the manicures I’ve had done since then…

While a couple of those mani’s have been pretty Pinterest worthy (if I do say so myself), well, now I’m just kind of over it (and it’s not, NOT because of those horrendous black dots haha). But seriously, I love Shellac for so many reasons… 

1) It lasts so much longer than regular polish 

2) It makes your nails super strong 

What I don’t love about Shellac? 

1) It’s not cheap 

2) You have to go back to the nail salon to get it off (unless of course you wanna butcher your nails at home – because what’s more satisfying then picking it off yourself, am I right?!) 

My point is, I’m currently over going to the salon +paying $50+ every couple of weeks (#sorrynotsorry). And so, for me this marks the official return of the basic nails… aka nude and get ready for it…POLISH! *gasp* It’s taken having (what felt like) THE longest nails with the weirdest little design to make me want to go back to a simpler time. 

And with that being said, I present to you my current mani… 

Honestly, this little manicure was such a breath of fresh air for me! And after posting that pic on Instagram, my feelings about being over the crazy Pinterest nail looks & Shellac in general, I discovered that SO many of you felt the exact same way.   

AND SOOOO, with my Shellac (and salon) days behind me (for the next few months at least), I thought I’d take a look at some of the best nude (both brown & pink-y nude) nail polishes by Essie, OPI and Smith & Cult. So, my plan is to make a little trip to Shoppers Drug Mart and stock up on a few of my favorite shades to get me through the rest of the year. 

So, if you’re in the same boat + wanna ditch the Shellac for a little DIY at home mani action,  here are some of my favorite nude polishes to help you get through the rest of 2020 in style: 

And there you have it!

What the status of your nails? Have you gone back to the nail salon since restrictions eased? 

Thanks so much for stopping by & until next time, 

     xo