Summer 1.0

Summer is here, birds are chirping, beach parties are unravelling... but where to start? It's been winter for so long and you haven't taken the time to prepare yourself for the nice weather!

Winter is over, yet, your skin is looking dull and pale, your nails need some TLC with a rockin' new shade. Let me guide you to a wonderful summer with a glowing complexion and perfectly manicured nail that will have others sittin' with a green bug o' jealousy on their shoulder!

First things first, we'll start from head to toe

Your face: Get a facial or do it at home.

Why? The winter had your skin going through harsh weather; from freezing temperatures to strong winds. Your skin has fell victim to dehydration among other issues. By getting a facial at a spa or doing it at home, you are performing a type of "spring cleaning" meaning, your skin is being brought back to life, by exfoliation; removing dead skin cells, and being treated by a mask of your choice. 

Now since this is the season for tanning, don't leave out the rest of your body!

If you are intending on tanning or even going the artificial route, being spray tan or by machine.

Make sure you exfoliate and treat your skin properly before and after each treatment.

Now if you decide to do it at home, here's a tip, NO HOME RECIPES. 

You'll see people posting oatmeal or coffee exfoliants. What isn't being mentioned is the type of grain you are exfoliating with. The grains used in "home recipes"are typically store bought, meaning they were made with a grinder and if you looked at them through a microscope, you would see they have sharp edges, which will cut your skin, microscopically speaking. Which could lead to break outs, especially if your skins pH balance is leaning toward alkaline, you won't have enough defences to stop bacteria from forming a papule(red pimple) or pustule(pimple with infection). When purchasing an exfoliant at a store or spa, the grains are shaped to be oval, thus not harming your skin.

For a manicure or pedicure with spa like results, follow these steps!

Step 1, purchase(if you don't already have these items) -hand towel -cotton balls -rubbing alcohol -nail polish remover -buffer -nail file -cuticle pusher -nail cutters -almond or apricot cuticle oil <-- choose any flavour oil -hand cream -base and top coat -nail polish of your choice

Step 2, soak hands in warm water for 2-3 minutes -->this will soften the skin, making it easier to push the cuticles after 

Step 3, Dry your hands with the towel and cut your nails if need be, then file to shape

Step 4, After filing one hand, apply cuticle oil to your nails and massage your nail and cuticle -->this will keep the skin soft

Step 5, Take your cuticle pusher and gently push the cuticle back, giving your nails a lovely shape,

Step 6, Take some hand cream and moisturize the rest of your skin

Step 7, Take a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol and remove the excess cream and oil on your nail then take your buffer and buff each nail

Step 8, After buffing, take another cotton but this time take the nail polish remover and swipe your nail

By doing this you are preparing your nail for the polish

Step 9, Apply your base coat to each nail then two coats of nail polish -->when applying your first layer of polish, try leaving a small space between the sides of your nails and cuticle, it will made it easier and there is less chances of messing up! 

Step 10, Wait a minute or two before applying the top coat, this will allow the polish to set and dry a bit faster, after waiting you can apply the top coat and voila! A manicure or pedicure just like the spa!

Since you know how to treat your skin with the right technique it doesn't mean, you can't go to the spa and enjoy someone else giving you the treatment, it is always a treat well deserved.