Hi everyone! It’s been a long time since I did a more chatty post here on the blog. Lately its been a lot of unboxing and reviews sort of posts so I decided to do a post highlighting how I change my routine for the winter months. Since I have dry skin, I have to be extra cautious about my hands especially my cuticles and knuckles that get super dry with the weather change. So I am putting out my step-by-step manicure routine for winter, in short, how I “Winterize My Nails”!
I remove all accessories from my hands and wrists for a manicure (rings, bracelets)! So let’s get started.
Before:

Step 1: Chipped Nail Paint Be Gone!

I hate the look of chipped nails; as if someone can love it.
So let’s start the manicure with getting rid of chipped, uneven nail paint.
I like to use an Acetone-free remover and then I wash my hands with soap rubbing my nails in particular to get rid of any chemical residue. After this I let me nails breathe for a while (sometimes a day) before moving on to the actual manicure! For this post, I did it all in one day so kept a gap of 15 minutes.
Step 2: Sc-rub a Dub Dub!

Got to get rid of dead skin.
I like to use a scrub on my hands, usually homemade – powdered sugar, almond oil – but these days I have been trying out The Nature’s Co. Cocoa body scrub so I used that for this “tutorial”.
Step 3: Let There be Soaking!

Soak both of your hands in warm water. I like to add a couple of drops of Aromatherapy oil – Rose being a favorite – in addition to some Almond oil. One offers relaxation while the other helps moisturize my hands. I added a few petals of pink carnations I had at home for pictures.
I do this step very briefly though (less than 5 minutes) because my nails are brittle and they break while filing if I keep them soaked for too long. However, I do not skip this step because it helps in deep cleaning the nails and also softening the cuticles.
Step 4: Bye Bye Cuticles!

Can I tell you a secret? I love doing this (eek!) I have no idea why pushing the cuticles and removing them gives me so much joy. I love the look of clean nails and smooth cuticles!
Step 5: Shape and Clean Up!

Now that we have a beautiful base, it is time to shape up the edges and create a masterpiece.
My nails naturally grow into an angular shape and since I never get to grow them really long, round tips are the easiest to maintain for me. I love square tips though, never quite mastered it. Filing is my least favorite step of manicure, maybe because of too many heartbreaking (read nail breaking) accidents. I like to use the pointed side of an Orange stick to clean my nails.
Step 6: Buff & Shine!

If your nails have survived the filing (thankfully mine did this time), it’s time to buff and shine.
Another step that makes me excited about flaunting my nails. I use the Etude House Manicure block.
Step 7: Build the Base!

During winter I like to wear deeper shades so using a Base Coat is compulsory for me. I am using the Maybelline Express Finish Base Coat these days.
Step 8: Seal the Deal!
Apply the nail paint of your choice and once it dries, seal the deal with a good top coat. I have been using the Etude House UV Diamond Top Coat for a few months and loving it! Once the nails are dry, wash your hands and moisturize with a good hand cream.

So that completes my manicure theoretically!

I was in a mood for Christmas inspired nails so I created this simple nail art design.

A tiny step by step tutorial will be coming up on the blog for this nail art soon!
Product used:

Revlon Extra Gentle Nail Enamel Remover
Etude House All in One Manicure block
Etude House cuticle clipper
Aromamagic Rose Essential Oil
Maybelline Express Finish – Base Coat
Maybelline ColorShow 216 Downtown Red
Maybelline ColorShow 102 Porcelain Party
Etude House Help My Finger UV Diamond Top Coat
The Nature’s Co. Cocoa Body butter
Nail art brush (thin)
Red glitter
Gold Nail decoration
Green glitter
Orange stick
Nail art Sponge

Julep has created a crisp infographic for a quick 7 step manicure:

Here are the colors trending this season according to Julep!

 
Sadly I could not get my hands on Julep products but I have found some good dupes (not exact matches though) from the brands I can access easily.
1. Maybelline ColorShow 005 Wine & Dine

2. Etude House Play Nails #4

3. Maybelline ColorShow GlitterMania 608 Bling On the Blue

Disclaimer: This post is created in collaboration with Julep. This is not a sponsored post. I have bought everything used in this post with my own money.

So how do you winterize your nails? Do you like to get or manicures done at a salon or do you like to do it yourself?