Summer Beauty: Manicures and Pedicures

Including my favourite pre-paint prep products (you know, the 4 P's, or whatever).

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Sorry ladies, but when it comes to manicures and pedicures, it's not all about the paint (say what?). In fact, I'm a firm believer in pre-paint prep. After all, what's the point of having beautifully painted nails when the rest looks kind of, well, bluh?

For some strange reason, I've been obsessed with hand cream lately. From never-ever wearing it to applying it multiple times a day, I'm sold on the sweet-smelling stuff. It might sound crazy, but I use a few different creams throughout the day. The only way I can guarantee application for smoother, softer skin, is to leave a bunch of different hand creams throughout the house; at my desk, in my bathroom and next to my bed.

The three keeping my hands youthful are the 1. Coconut Revolution Hand Cream in Thai Jasmine, a super smooth, light cream that sinks into skin seconds after application; 2. Grown Alchemist Hand Cream in Vanilla and Orange Peel, a slightly richer and more luxurious cream, and; 3. Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme, a much heavier and slightly sticky cream, perfect for application before bed.

While I've been focussing big time on my hands, I've also been applying 4. Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme whenever I feel my feet have become rough and dry, and then covering with a pair of soft cotton socks to intensify the treatment. When you take those bad boys off, you're going to have much softer feet.

When it comes to a great mani-pedi, the conditions of your cuticles can make or break it, which is why I am absolutely loving 5. Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, and not just because it smells like lemon pie in a tub. My cuticles are typical dry and cracked, but not in the least since I've been using the Cuticle Cream (yeah, you can see in the photos I've been neglecting it over the last couple of weeks, silly lady).

Before painting my nails, I make sure I remove any old nail polish with the super-duper easy 6. Maybelline Express Remover (best ever), as well as smoothing and shining my nails with the 7. Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer.

I've got in the habit of putting a clear base on my nails before painting a colour, especially after having to spend months growing out yellow or pink stained nails (ick!). I've been using the 8. Australis Top & Base Coat for years now; it's affordable at just $4.95 and works a treat!

When it comes to summertime, I tend to ditch the soft pinks for a hotter, brighter pink, which is why I really love the 9. Kester Black x O&M Nail Polish in Queenie, especially with the 10. Kester Black x O&M Nail Polish in Frizzy Logic (who wants just one colour when you can have two?).

While summer usually leads to warmer hues, I'm quite impartial to a sky blue nail like the 11. Toy Nail Polish in Azul Glaro. And since the sky blue/orange combination is kind of amazing, I added a pop of warmth with the 12. OPI Nail Laquer in Toucan Do It If You Try. It's kind of fabulous, right?

And finally, it's truly hard to come by the perfect sunshine yellow shade, which is why I just had to include the 13. Sportsgirl Nail It! in Hello Sunshine in my list (an oldie, but a goodie). Plus, it always gets a compliment.

What shades do you keep going back to summer after summer?

Read the Summer Beauty series:
1. My Top 8 Hair Care and Styling Products
2. My 3 Favourite Self Tanners and Tips
3. How to Get Glowing Skin
4. Bronzed and Sun Kissed Makeup
5. The Perfect Pout
6. Manicures and Pedicures