Fabulous Fingers and Toes!

By Colette Bouchez
for CountryDutchess.com

Trying to cut down on beauty expenses in these tough economic times? One easy way is to save those salon manicures and pedicures for special occasions - and do some of your own nail care in the times in between.

Since most of us know the basics, here are few PRO TIPS from Maybelline on how to give your at-home manicure a professional look - and how to make that look last longer.

1. Always use a base coat. No, it's not just another way to get you to spend more money on products! Not only will a base coat help reduce chipping, it also puts a thin layer of protection between your nail and the color, which can help prevent nail staining. This is a must-do step if you love changing polish colors frequently, particularly going from dark to light shades.

2. The easiest way to apply polish is the three stroke method: One stroke down the center, and one on each side. What's key, however, is that you don't dip the brush between strokes. Most nail polish brushes are optimized to hold the right amount of polish for one three-stroke application per nail.

3. The thinner your coat of polish, the longer it will last. So, to build up color density layer your polish in whisper thin applications - and let it dry between coats! No matter how tempted you are to move on quickly, letting polish dry thoroughly between coats is the best way to achieve a professional look to your manicure.

4. Always apply a clear top coat. Again, it may seem like an excuse to sell you an extra product, but because top coats don''t contain color they can contain extra sealing ingredients that will keep your polish from chipping.

5. For extra nail color staying power: Apply a second coat of top coat 2 days later - and re-apply an extra coat every other day as long as your manicure lasts.

Extra Tips:
Make sure nails are free of any oils or polish residue - that will help polish to go on smoother and last longer.
To turn any matte color polish into a frosted shade, apply one final coat of a lightly frosted sheer white, beige or light pink.
Do not use a hairdryer to speed up manicure drying time - unless you set it on cool. Warm heat from a dryer will make polish sticky, delay drying time, and possibly make polish chip sooner.

For more money saving tips and tricks visit www.CheapChicDiary.com
or CountryDutchess.com