Let’s Talk Nails!

Acrylic-Nails-1I say this all the time but I should “never say never”. We’ve discussed nails before and I thought I had my mind made up. I was going to have gel nails done from now on, period.

Well, for the past several months, I have switched from gel nails to an acrylic overlay. I’m not going to bore you with all the pros and cons of gel nails vs. acrylic nails. There are pros and cons to both.

I will say I was having trouble with my gel nails chipping within a few days and that was driving me crazy.

acrylic nails
So here we go, I’m back to acrylic again. I decided to give acrylic a try because my nail technician prefers acrylic. (I have started going to a new nail technician who works from her home. It’s private and clean! She’s also a christian and we talk about our faith, our family and a little bit about fashion 🙂 )

She doesn’t glue a tip on my nail because I don’t like long nails. She does an acrylic overlay. That is it!

She uses a special formula and some of you have asked about it so here is the exact formula:

For the tip of my nail she uses Creative Perfect Color soft white powder. The other acrylic powder that goes over my complete nail is a mixture she makes. She uses Creative Perfect Powders, 2 parts of blush powder mixed with 1 part soft white.

acrylic nails 1
To keep them chip free she uses this Top Seal at the very end.

acrylic nails
Now, for my secret to longer lasting acrylic nails and to help them look their best, I use CND Solar Oil. This oil is amazing!!

CND Solar oil is a nail and cuticle conditioning treatment. It moisturizes nails and cuticles. I use it every morning and night. You can use it whether you have your natural nail, gel nail or an acrylic nail.

I keep one bottle on my nightstand and one bottle in my purse. I love this oil!

CND Solar OIl

Have you tried the CND Solar Oil?

***Some of you asked about the white color on my toes, it’s OPI Alpine Snow!

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Beauty For the Heart~~“Don’t let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you.” -Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Have a blessed day!

 

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  1. Hey cyndi! Love your blog. I’m a pastor’s wife and love all that you write about.
    I know you are into being healthy as well as I am. I’ve recently started using and selling plexus products. It’s a wellness program and I love it. I can tell a huge difference in my energy level and how I feel overall. Just wondering if you’ve heard of plexus or would be interested in trying. They’re all 60 days money back guarantee. My husband and i both use the triplex which is the pink drink, cleanse and probiotic as well as their multivitamin. Have a great weekend.

  2. Dip-powder is all the rage here! However, I live so far away from everything, my salon doesn’t do it yet! I am working on it! I did acrylic for years. Moved to Tennessee, went short and gel. However, my daughter introduced me to dip-powder and it lasts 3 weeks! No chipping. You always look wonderful and appreciate your time and the message that you share!

    1. Once you try the SNS or NexGen dipping powder, you will never go back to acrylics or gels. Mine last one month and my natural nails are strong and look healthy. It is hard to find salons that do it but when you find one you will be so happy.

      1. My salon finally uses dip powder and they like it the best! I had begged and begged! They had to go with the SNS brand as the others were just not comparable. Hoping my nails will now get stronger and healthier now!

  3. Thanks Cyndi, you look so cute in your outfit today. Also, thanks to all those who posted good advice on nail alternatives if you don’t go to the salon. I think we all like to have good looking nails. 🙂

    1. Hi Cyndi,
      Haven’t been on here for awhile, but your post about nails caught my attention. I went back and forth between acrylics and gels for years. When I finally retired from teaching a few years ago, I decided to just do them myself and I am much happier. My polish lasts just as long and my nails have regained the strength now that they have regrown. I totally agree with you about the CND Solar Oil. I read about it on your blog awhile back and it works great! I still go in for pedicures though. Nothing beats the pampering of a good foot soak and massage. Blessings to you sweetheart!

  4. Love your tips advice and fashion. Beauty for the heart is the best part. Do you know of any beauty/fashion sites for preteens and teens with scripture? Thank you

  5. Thanks so much for this! I’ve never heard of an acrylic overlay – but it sounds great! Lately I’ve been using this $5.99 at-home gel top coat that I got from Sally’s Beauty Supply. I use it between all the layers of paint and on top with a top coat. It only costs $5.99 and makes my nails last over a week! It’s pretty amazing! (All the details are here). Thanks again for testing the acrylic out!

  6. With nails being the topic of the day, I had to share something wonderful I discovered. I must first confess that I have spent way to much of my summer vacation roaming Pinterest!
    Well I tried a pin about getting dead skin off of your feet…and o’my word!!!! It worked so well…
    I soaked my feet in vinegar, blue mouth wash, 50/50 ish and little bit of water. I soaked for about 15 minutes, then used a pumis stone to scrub my feet. The skin removed nearly effortlessly. I have never recieved a professional pedicure that left my feet so beautiful.
    To be honest, it will be hard to pay for a pedi anymore, except the massage chair is so wonderful,

    1. The same thing will happen if you use water + about 3/4C vinegar. Doesn’t matter what type of vinegar.

  7. Hi Cyndi,
    Love the nail blog…. Love the new look too!!!
    I do my own nails… I usually go with the French tip on my toes, and fingers vary from french tip to colors… right now I have mine painted in bright orange, goes well with tanner skin during the summer, and brightens my tan. and I have seen a fad in the orange nails this summer too, so I guess I’m styling !! LOL
    God is always on my mind and in my heart… WWJD always….
    I loved your beautiful quote for the day, loved it!

  8. I enjoy reading your blog Cindy. I have been using coconut oil and Shea butter for nails and cuticles

  9. Your nails and toe polish always look great! I love the acrylic overlay, I was getting the pink&white, but decided to give my nails a break, after almost 4 months the nail bed is looking better but my cuticles look horrible, definitely need to try a cuticle oil 🙂

  10. I struggle with my nails! I bit them for near 30 years. I broke that habit but they tend to tear if they get very long. Acrylic would help, but I’m kinda cheap. LOL!

    1. Dianna, I am 50 and have been biting my nails since I was probably 5 yrs old. I would appreciate any helpful hints you might have to stop this habit. Most women are envious of women with great figures, I am envious of beautiful hands & nails. Sighhhh 🙂

  11. Also Cyndi….do you wear gloves when doing household chores?? I think I should probably start doing this in addition to the cuticle/nail oil!

  12. Hi Cyndi,

    Thanks for posting this!! I got my nails done today with the products you have posted but my pink doesn’t look quite as pink as yours…..is there any chance that the Precision top coat adds a slightly pinker cast as I didn’t know what you were using for a top coat so just used a regular one at the salon today. I know from past experiences sometimes the UV topcoats can make things appear pinker. (We did the two parts blush powder to one part soft white.) Or is it just the coloring on the photo??

    Otherwise it looks great!

    Thanks for your help Cyndi!! Have a great weekend!

    Lisa S ????

    1. The UV topcoat pictured in this post is what I used on Cyndi’s nails. It does look more pink when any UV topcoat is used. They look more pink when outdoors or in bright light. If you don’t want them as pink use a regular clear topcoat or buff them with oil. The UV Top Seal topcoat seals and protects the acrylic and keeps them new and fresh looking. It never gets dull.

  13. Your nails look great! Can’t believe you found such an awesome nail tech! Does she have friends in Huntsville, AL???!!! 🙂

    I do my own gel nails, and have pretty good luck. I have discovered some brands work better than others. I’m usually tired of it after a week anyways 😉

    Love the site design, too.

  14. Your nails are beautiful! I wonder what the difference is though. My gel nails are Red Carpet and they last for three weeks with no chips at least. In fact they grow out before they chip.

  15. This is great to know. I was getting shellac manicures but they were always chipping after a couple of days. The place I went to guaranteed them for 10 days but it was such a hassle to get them fixed. I have resorted now to only having my nails done when I am going on vacation and won’t be doing any housework:). I’m going to try this out!

    1. Lorrie, I probably wouldn’t have mine done as much if I didn’t take pictures of myself. 🙂
      Plus, when I speak at conferences I like to have my nails looking good too.
      Thanks for stopping by!
      Cyndi

  16. I too have an acrylic overlay because it lasts much longer than gel on my nails..also like short and love the colors you listed…I go back and forth between bright or deep color that’s fun and a pale or nude that looks clean and wears longer……..love both and have a hard time deciding when I’m in the salon.

  17. Really needed the reminder in your Beauty for the Heart today! This world and all of it’s sadness is starting to get me down! Plus, my Pastor just used that scripture verse in this past weekend’s sermon! Thank you!!

    Blessings,
    Joni

  18. This question is for Barb. I’m having a problem finding information on Perfect Formula crystal nail files. I’ve been looking for a good quality file for some time. I’ve bought a few but they ended up in the garbage! Can’t you help?
    Thanks

  19. Hey Cyndi! Glad you addressed the nail question! 🙂 I also get asked about my nails and my nail tech calls the process she does as solar powder. Not too many gals in OKC use the powder but I will never use anything else. It never chips and I only go every 2 weeks for a fill since my nails grow fast. I could prob push it to 3 weeks. There is only one negative to the solar powder and that’s if you change from dark to light colors. Then it’s a lot of filing to get the darker color off. People ask me what color I’m wearing and I say #106. Ha! I have sent so many people to my nail tech because she’s so good. I’m too hard on my hands and reg polish and the gel which gets expensive was always chipping. The acrylic/solar powder can be applied to your natural nail or a tip! Love it!

  20. I prefer acrylic nails too Cyndi. I have also heard olive oil works great as a cuticle/nail conditioner too. Love your beauty for the heart today! God bless

  21. I have been using the CND solar oil and LOVE IT !! I currently have acrylic nails, but am letting them grow and take a breather. My nails are awful underneath and it times to let them be. Going to just do manicures and think the oil will help in the change over! Love your blog !! I wish I could find a “private” person.

    1. Sylvia,
      I did the same thing, gave my nails a break from acrylic. It has taken 7 months for my nails to appear free of the damaging effects.
      But now I have to decided- back to acrylic, which I miss the look of – or be happy with natural nails and the occasional manicure… What are you planning?
      I have not found the gel nails to have very long wear time.

  22. I want to have my nails “done” again – have to finish all my home projects because the projects beat my nails to pieces! Thanks for the info Cyndi!

  23. Just wanted to tell you about a product I discovered a couple of years ago and I love ! Perfect Formula Brand Name they have gel polishes as well as the absolute best crystal nail files. I have let people use my file at work and they are very impressed and want to know about them. It is much less expensive than having nails done at a salon or if it is not apart of the family budget.