My Favorite Spring Nail Polish

This is my favorite spring nail polish.  I wore it all Spring break and I still keep going back to it.  It's a really pretty lilac color - not quite blue, not quite purple.  It's hard to photograph the color accurately, but I tried my best.  Sometimes it looks more blue and other times it looks more purple.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color, Leapin Lilac, 0.31 Ounce

The nail polish does try very quickly, as it says. It's not "instant" but it's very fast.  But I should tell you I can only go a couple of days before it starts chipping.  I suggest painting a thin coat, letting it dry completely, then painting a second coat, let it dry completely, then paint a clear top coat.  As long as you have a good top coat and aren't too rough on your hands, you might be able to get a week of wear out of it.

What's your favorite spring nail color these days?

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At-Home Pedicure Tips

For any male readers out there, this is going to be another girly post.  Sorry.  But, actually, you might try getting a pedicure yourself.  It feels so good to have freshly scrubbed and groomed feet.  Instead of nail polish just buff your toenails, and you'll be fine!  :)

Getting a pedicure is my favorite thing.  It is such a simple thing, but feels so luxurious.  I love getting  a pedicure after a trip, when I've been on my feet for hours every day, exploring dusty ruins, walking down side streets, frolicking on the beach, or after a long plane flight, when your feet are swollen and painful.  

At-home pedicures are a cheap alternative to going to a spa.  But they can be time consuming and really rough on my back and unreasonably inflexible legs.  So I often choose to forget about it, and find myself walking around Rio (the city where every woman has perfectly manicured hands and feet and the malls have stores called "foot fetish" and "quality foot") in my havaianas, embarrassed and hoping no one looks at my feet.  (I know, I know - rarely do people look at other peoples' feet... but still...)

So I have come up with a few simple tips to make the most of your at-home pedicure, spare your back, and leave you with fresh toes.

Phase 1 - The Night Before
* Remove your old nail polish
* Cut your toenails (if needed)
* Take a shower
* While in the shower, use an exfoliating scrub on your feet (make your own)
* When you get out of the shower, push back your cuticles and buff your nails (this manicure set is adorable, and I love this nail buffer)
)
* When you get into bed, massage some lotion or oil into your feet (I suggest this one, or make your own)
* Go to sleep

Phase 2 - The Next Morning
* Wake up
* Before you do anything, brush on a clear base coat (if you take another shower in the morning, wait until after your shower).  It will dry while you do your hair or whatnot.
* For a simple, clean, put-together look, leave your toes with only a clear polish
* For a spring-time look, put on a festive color (I like this one, this one, and this one)
* Let your first coat dry while you put on your makeup
* Put on a second coat (optional) and let it dry while you eat your breakfast
* Put on a quick drying top coat (I've heard good things about this one)
* You are set to go!

TIP
* Don't wear close-toed shoes the same day you painted your nails - even if it's hours later, they will still smudge.  And besides, you'll want to show off your cute toes!

What are your fool-proof pedicure tips and tricks?

XO,

Julie

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