Apple Cider Vinegar/Olive Oil Manicure

Mani/Pedi's oh how I love my them.  When I was younger I had a nervous problem and my mom bit her nails and so did I.  I thought I got it from her for the longest time and I am sure her biting her nails contributed to me biting mine.  I used to have a love-hate relationship with my nails.  I would be nervous about anything and then commence to bite my nails down to nothing (which at the time I Loved) and then as soon as I came to myself I realized that my fingers were so ugly (which I Hated).  My nubs hurt, cracked and bled sometimes.  This was the vicious cycle I went through as soon as my nails began to grow.  I started getting acrylics done and this only led to another part of the cycle because my nails were weak and wouldn't last when the acrylics were taken off.  Now at the age of $%###, I have stopped biting my nails, stopped getting acrylics, started taking biotin and learned how to take care of my nails.....which I just love, love, love.

Things you will need for the ACV/EEVO manicure:

bowl of warm soapy water
1 tsp. olive oil (oils can substituted ie carrot oil, tea tree oil etc.)
1 oz apple cider vinegar
file
buffer
orange stick
nail clipper (optional)
cuticle remover
cuticle cream/lotion
base/top coat

I take time and prep my nails for my mani/pedi.  I usually don't have to file my nails unless I have had a break and because I use strengtheners and calcium builders my nails have become pretty strong (I will blog about those later). I will use my buffer and buff and shine my nails.  Then, I push back my cuticles with the orange stick and apply my cuticle remover.  I do not use cuticle clippers!!!  I soak my fingers in the bowl of warm, soapy water for about 5 minutes.  I then add the olive oil and apple cider vinegar and while my fingers are in the water I gently massage the nail area.  I try to get my nail bed moisturized and soaking in some of the oil and vinegar.  I think the vinegar helps with the pH of my cuticles and gives my nails a healthy environment to grow.  After I take my nails out of the bowl I rinse them in cool water, dry them and then apply a base coat, 2 coats of polish and seche vite top coat.  I then allow polish to dry and put cuticle cream/lotion on each nail.

I try to drink lots of water for my overall health which in turn helps my nails as well.  In between mani/pedi's I take a little oil and rub it on my cuticles during the week.  It gives my nails a shine and it prevents them from being dry, peeling and cracking. 

This is a video on youtube that I like and sometimes use as well.  Youtube Home Manicure


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