DIY Mani/ pedi

I love getting a mani/pedi as much as the next girl but I dont get around to doing it much for the following reasons: time (i am a new mom), cost, and lack of staying power. First the time issue, pretty obvious and self explanatory nail salons arent open 24 hrs so if the only time i can get my nails done is 10:30 at night im s.o.l. Then there is cost, not necessarily monetary bc its usually not really expensive but when time is a commodity there is an opportunity cost involved. To me the most important issue has always been staying power, if i am going to make the investment in a mani/pedi i want it to last at least a work week. I dont think that's unreasonable, but I have natural nails staying power has always been a problem This led me on a quest to find the best products on the market for a DIY mani/pedi.

Before i start I should mention that i have not tried the new minx mani, which is rumored to last up to a month.But I did try the sally hansen salon effects nail wraps product which many beauty editors hyped as a DIY alternative to the minx. I saw the ads and took the bait, especially when i saw that they had a leopard option. My conclusion can be summed up in the words of a wise man named Flava Flav, "Dont believe the hype." To be more specific here are my grievances w/ this product:

1. time, the product took at least twice the time to apply

2.staying power, there is no problem with smudging and it is a fairly mess free process. however less than a day later the decal/paint whatever was already peeling off. I applied the product before bed and by the time i woke up they were peeling :(

Final note: Unless you just need the look for the night, like for halloween or an 80's party dont waste your time or money.you would probably be better off using press on nails bc they dont take as long to apply.

Not all the products on the market are bad, much the opposite. There are lots of great products out there and they arent necessarily the most expensive. The main requirement for a good nail polish is the brush, the wider the better, bc you make less strokes, take less time, and have less room for errors (multiple strokes can lead to streaks and texture, tacky) My favorite polishes are Rimmel lasting finish, and Sally hansen insta-dri. Both of these polishes have great wide brushes, last almost 2 weeks, and are both under $5. I also LOVE sally hansen insta-dri anti-chip top coat, this makes ANY polish last longer, dry faster, and gives a high gloss salon shine. I use Kiss manicure tapes for french manicures or the trendy moon mani, but like in the salon these processes takes a little longer and requires some patience.

As for a pedi, i have never had much problems with their staying power however, during the summer heals get dry even the best pedi cannot fight that. So i did cave and buy the pedegg. it works surprisingly well, even on the most neglected feet. Its also pretty inexpensive, painless and easy to use. i recently purchased another infomercial pedi product called heel-tastic, the jury is still out on this product but it does seem to work well in conjunction with the pedegg.
So you dont have to be a slave to the salon get good looking nails, there are a lot of great options out there (you can find almost any color or brand they use at the salon, ulta has the best selection and they always have coupons in magazines or direct mailers). The only thing i havent been able to replicate from the nail salon is the awesome massage they give your hands and feet, so when i have the time i do treat my self :)