Nail Rehab: A Confession

Hello, my lovelies! I'm sure you've been wondering why there's been a lack of swatches lately. Well, here's why.

I have a confession to make. Since 2009, I've had gel nails. I knew they weren't great for my nails when I got them, but I'm a person that likes to work with her hands and breaks her nails frequently.

But paying $40 every two and a half weeks for a fill and not being able to swatch when they'd grown out just too much was starting to bother me. So I took the leap and had them taken off.

Now, my nails are exceptionally brittle from the years of damage. But I'm working to strengthen and rehabilitate my nails.

I'm sure a lot of you have gone through this, are going through this, are considering going through this, or just will. So I figured that I'd document my journey through what I'm not-so-affectionately calling Nail Rehab.

I'll be starting with a before picture in another few days, along with my current rehab regimen. I promise, nothing will be gross. There aren't any infections or cuts or anything. Just very short, brittle nails that I'm working to strengthen.

Hope this is something that you'll all find informative and helpful to you!

Get the NYFW Look: Jin Soon for Tess Giberson

Runway Inspiration:

Tess Giberson Fall/Winter 2014 collection is based on the transference of classic rugged American sportswear into contemporary, effortless, luxurious style. Manicurist Jin Soon Choi used this same idea and created a modern interpretation of the classic French manicure.

Jin Soon Nail Products Used:

• Dark gray/metallic black nail polish
• JINsoon Kookie White
• JINsoon Top Gloss
• JINsoon Power Coat 

Get the look:

1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish.
2. Apply JINsoon Power Coat base coat.
3. Next, apply two coats of dark gray/metallic black nail polish (the shade Jin used from her upcoming JINsoon Fall/Winter 2014 Tess Giberson Collection), let dry.
4. At the tip of the nail, apply a thin arc of JINsoon Kookie White.
5. Finish by applying a single coat of JINsoon Top Gloss.

Get the NYFW Look: Essie for Helmut Lang

Runway Inspiration:

Vibrant red, black and neutral colors played an important role in the Helmut Lang Fall/Winter 2014 collection. Julie Kandalec for essie created a chic nude by layering allure and ridge filling base coat over adore-a-ball to give a slightly sandy hue to the final color.

Essie Nail Products Used:

• Ridge Filling Base Coat
• Adore-a-Ball
• Allure

Get the look:

1. Apply one coat of Adore-a-Ball.
2. Once dry, apply one coat of Ridge Filling Base Coat.
3. To finish off the nude look, apply one coat of Allure.

Get the NYFW Look: Essie for Rebecca Minkoff

Runway Inspiration:

Taking inspiration from classic menswear, Rebecca Minkoff’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection infused tailored silhouettes with soft, feminine pieces.  To complement the collection, Michelle Saunders for essie put a bold, modern twist on a classic French manicure.   

Essie Nail Products Used:

• First Base Base Coat
• Bahama Mama
• Midnight Cami
• Good to Go Top Coat

Get the look:

1. Apply First Base Base Coat to clean, filed nails.
2. Once the base coat dries, apply two coats of Bahama Mama.
3. Using Midnight Cami, brush on a neat arc across the edge of the nail and let dry.
4. Finish off the look with one coat of Good to Go Top Coat.

Get the NYFW Look: Essie for Herve Ledger

Runway Inspiration:

Inspired by a mixture of fantasy and reality, Herve Leger’s Fall/Winter ’14 collection included a range of bandage dresses, arctic furs and exotic feathers. To complement the playful pieces, Julie Kandalec for essie created a matte, mauve nail. The key polish, lady like, was chosen for its pink undertones that are complementary to every skin tone. 

Essie Nail Products Used:

• Lady Like
• Matte About You Top Coat
• Good to Go Top Coat

Get the look:

1. Apply Lady Like to clean, filed nails.
2. Once dry, apply Good to Go Top Coat to prevent streaking.
3. Finish with Matte About You Top Coat.

Get the NYFW Look: Essie for Monique Lhullier

Runway Inspiration:

Taking inspiration from the feminine pieces in Monique Lhullier's Fall/Winter '14 collection, Julie Kandalec for essie created a sheer, pastel pink nail reminiscent of cherry blossoms. The nail color pops against the lightest pink found throughout the designer's collection.

Essie Nail Products Used:

• Ridge Filling Base Coat
• Muchi-Muchi
• Good to Go Top Coat

Get the look:

1. Apply Ridge Filling Base Coat to clean, filed nails.
2. Once the base coat dries, apply one coat of Muchi-Muchi.
3. Finish with Good to Go top Coat.