So it’s officially summer ( sorry everyone, I probably just jinxed you all. Hello snow! ) and its more of a low maintenance season….or is it. Thanks to sandals being busted out my ratty toe nails are out for all the world to see. Awesome. So I have devised some tricks to keep your manicures as simple as they can be. Partly because I want to enjoy being outside not painting my nails, and partly because I’m lazy. Here goes.

Keep It Natural

I love tanned summer skin with a matching flesh tone polish. It goes with everything, can be worn everywhere and is super chic. Plus if the tips start to chip, no one will really be none the wiser…..and if someone is up that close inspecting your ass you have worse problems than chipping nails.

Sparkle

Glitter polishes are great for your hands. I find that they stand the test of time. Even if you want to only do glitter on an accent nail, that accent nail will look fabulous while the rest start to look like ass. There is a glitch in the system though. Glitter polish on toenails is terrible. I don’t know if its just me but it never fails to come off in an itchy chunk into my sock. So be warned.

Invest In Some Nail Wraps

This one doesn’t apply to me because I’m from 1980 and love wearing fake nails. And I don’t mean awesome gels or anything. I mean ghetto glue ons. Whatever. Don’t judge me. I just prefer them. So with fake nails comes not being able to wear nail wraps. They just don’t stick. I’ve tried glue and prayers. Nothing works. Anyhow, if you’re not a hooker from 1986 and have normal nails, try out some nail wraps. They come in a bunch of amazing designs and from what I’ve heard, stay on really well.

Gems

Pick up some flat backed gems from any craft store and grab a bottle of nail glue. You can do a design or just an accent nail. Pick your sparkle poison. Because they are held on with nail glue though, it should keep your manicure around for awhile.

Top Coat

If you prefer a darker shade that is going to show wear quickly, then top coat that bitch. At least two coats after the initial application, followed by a new coat every day. Otherwise everything you scrape with your nails is going to have a streak of color left on it. Especially if you’ve chosen anything in the red family.

Having your nails look somewhat good in the summer doesn’t have to be that hard. At the end of the day though, if they just aren’t keeping up with your summer fun then meh. You’re out enjoying yourself. Shabby nails or not.

xo Stephanie