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!

Sensible Stylista x Banana Republic

I'm stoked to partner up with Banana Republic again on Sensible Stylista!  I centered today's OOTD around my new dress courtesy of BR.  This adorable floral number is perfect for summer.  The lightweight fabric is just the right amount of airy, and the design's super comfortable yet cute.  The silhouette's kind of boxy, but you can control its shape with a built-in waist-tie.  Pair it with cute gladiator sandals for an effortlessly stylish everyday look or style it with heels like I did below to dress things up a bit!  

To top off my look, I accessorized with a fun hat from Dynamic Asia! For those of you interested, it's available at Chapel Hats or Diane's Beachware.  The quality's legit BTW so feel free to get your shop on.  I've been a hat aficionado for quite some time now, and this piece is, hands down, one of the cutest items I've ever seen!  You're welcome in advance.

Oh, and here's a close up shot of my new shoes courtesy of Clarks.  I can't get over how adorable they are.  If you're a fan of metallics, you need to picks these babies up STAT.

Shoes:  c/o Clarks || Hat:  c/o Dynamic Asia || Dress:  c/o Banana Republic

An International Giveaway with Spot This: Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card

I'm super excited to partner up with Spot This for an international giveaway today on Sensible Stylista. They've generously offered to raffle away a $100 Amazon gift card, and as always, rules are super simple.  All you have to do enter is register on the site aka enter in your email address.  It seriously couldn't get any easier!  Oh, and you don't have to worry about them spamming you with messages.  They won't send you anything unless you use their site...which you should. Note: there are several bonus entries available to up your chances of winning.

Anywho, I featured them on Sensible Stylista HERE a while back, but let me refresh y'all and tell you guys what they're all about.  A Maryland based start-up, Spot This is constantly guided by the Digman Center for Entrepreneurship.  They're an on demand discovery service for fashion!  You upload pictures of looks you like onto the website, specify size + price range and then just wait. Their fashion stylists find you similar matches that fit your budget so you can re-create cute looks from the comfort of your home!  Super convenient, right? Alright guys, this giveaway ends on June 6th and is open internationally.  Good luck, everyone!

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