Get It Nailed: Hot Manicures and Pedicures, No Salon Required

I’m having a bad day … like a really bad day. My demonic computer and its equally evil paramour, broadband have decided to drive me insane. I sort of just want to jump out a window.

What I really need is some de-stressing, however the last thing I want to do is pay salon prices for my mani and pedi. The answer is an at-home solution that gives professional results with less pain in my pocket.

I do a great deal of walking in flip flops, so my feet need an extra dose of pampering before I even get started worrying about polished pink toes. I start off with Nailtini’s awesome Coco Loco Smoothie sugar scrub. It uses exfoliating sugar granules, moisturizing coconut milk, and nut oils to slough away rough, icky skin, leaving behind only silky smoothness. I follow that up with good heel butter— my new favorite is an offering by the Essencia Aromatics skincare collection. Packed with botanical butters like shea and mango as well as essential oils, your dry heels (and feet) will feel better than ever after the first application.

The ideal one-stop (at-home) shop just may be the Artemis Woman Paraffin Nail Salon. Smooth, buff, and even dry your nails with this mega set that includes a heated paraffin drip, cuticle cream, and nail dryer. It’s basically everything you need, from soup to nuts (or file to dry …) in a box.

If you are like me and have problems keeping your cuticles at bay, Carolyn of New York’s Cuticle Oil is a must-try coat for your pre-polishing. It comes in a selection of flavors, but I’ve grown partial to the citrus…it just makes your hands smell of summer all day long! I’m pretty sure it’s helping my nails grow as well, because I’ve noticed a definite strengthening and growth since I started using it. This oil contains Vitamin C, which can help protect your cuticles from environmental damage and also help tissue repair.

My problem with nail color is I tend to want a new color every few days. It’s hard to find hot shades that both complement your wardrobe and your personality without coming off too loud or tacky. (Or worse, boring.) With Fall comes great shades from some of our favorite companies, including Dashing Diva’s frosty new Watermelon Pop, Lippmann Collection’s shimmering red Since I Fell for You, and all-natural Jessica Cosmetics’ That’s Amore line – including the red-hot Passionate Kisses and Midday Rendezvous, a hot dark mauve. OPI’s fun new I Don’t Do Dishes line is well worth checking out too.

The only top coat I ever use on my nails is Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. We all know that the worst thing on earth (beside demonic computers…) is to put the time and effort into your nails, and then end up with ugly chips a few hours later. Seche Vite’s top coat makes nail polish stay fresh and glossy longer … the final nail in the salon coffin.