Let’s talk nails. Nails can serve as a fashion statement. There are so many nail polish brands to choose from, so you can basically pick a nail color to match any outfit. There are also other nail paints that can be applied to nails, such as gels, acrylic, dip, etc. During my teenage years, I loved to get acrylic nails. I learned my lesson with those because they left ridges on my nails. During my early adult years, I was in nursing school, so my nails took a backseat. After being a nurse for 13 years, my nails need some tender love and care. Having to constantly clean my hands with soap and water or sanitizer over the years has left me with some pretty bad cuticles and dryness around my nail beds. The pictures above show the ongoing cycle I have with my cuticles. As a nurse, I know it is imperative to take good care of my cuticles as broken skin can provide an introduction to germs. The feature image for this post, taken May 2021, was my attempt at some self-care by getting gel nails at a professional salon. Let’s just say they didn’t last like they were supposed to, so now I can cross acrylic and gel nails off of my list. I want to go back to caring for my nails at home. I’m searching for a routine that can help me heal my cuticle beds and some beautiful polish that lasts. I’ve tried several brands already: OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen, and China Glaze. I have a new one that I’m eyeing because I’ve seen and read great things about it: Olive and June. I have this lovely image in my mind of me painting my nails with a glass of wine by my side and it just being an awesome experience. I also think I want to post weekly updates to show my different nail looks. We’ll see how this journey goes.
