Give Yourself the Perfect Mani: Must-Have Tools

Alright guys, today's post is extra sensible because I'm going to tell y'all how to give yourselves pro manicures at home.  You're welcome in advance - not only am I going to help you save mad dough, you're going to do so while maintaining your nail game.  So, without further ado, let's get right to it!  Here are my must-haves:

1.  Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover ($11) - To give yourself a killer mani, you need to start with a solid base. That means, thoroughly removing any polish you've applied previously!  This product does an outstanding job.  It doesn't dry you out - brittle nails are the worst - and as a plus, the pump's extremely convenient.  It's much gentler than other regular removers yet gets the job done in a few swipes with little or no effort.
2.  Ulta Nail Clippers ($5) - Before filing your nails, you need to shape them by carefully clipping them.  I like using these babies from Ulta - they have a streamlined design for effortless control and tapered edges for superior cutting.  They're super light yet sturdy!
3.  Emjoi Micro-Nail Device ($39.95) - After clipping, you want to gently file your nails into shape - go for a slightly rounded shape or square-rounded edge.  Metal or coarse files can do serious damage. Do your fingers a favor and invest in the Micro-Nail device pictured above.  This unique device has an innovative roller spinning 360 degrees at 30 times per second to gently buff away ridges, imperfections and discolorations while adding shine. A huge thanks to Lipton PR for letting me sample this product.  Note:  don't buff nails too smooth or else your polish won't adhere.
4.  OPI Nail Polish ($10) - After soaking your hands in warm water, removing callouses/excess cuticles, and moisturizing, paint your nails with your favorite polish.  Personally, I love OPI!  I'm currently obsessed with this pastel mint green - it's called "That's Hula-rious," ha!  The new Hawaii Collection is on point.  Anywho, remember to pain your nails in layers.  If you have weak nails, use a base!  Then, apply your color polish in layers - two should do the trick, but remember to let each layer dry in between.
5.  Orly Polishield ($10) - To finish off your mani, apply a layer of this 3-in-1 topcoat to strengthen and protect your nails.  It dries super fast and isn't thick like most!  It'll keep your mani from chipping and help you maintain serious shine - your nails will seriously look glasslike.  Tip:  touch up your nails every two days or so with a layer of topcoat to extend your mani's life span. Trust me when I say it'll make a world of a difference!