Fall 2021 Beauty Series – Nails
Happy Fall! What a beautiful time of year; the changing of the weather, leaves on the trees, pumpkins, cozy blankets, delicious soups, yummy spice candles and…the list could go on and on. I just love it all, don’t you? What’s your favorite thing about fall?
As I was contemplating my new series on Beauty and Fashion, I thought I would just write each day this week on a different topic that hopefully will be of interest to you. To me, fall is like a fresh start. Really each new season is….it’s a good time to make some changes in our wardrobe, our style, freshen up our makeup with a few changes and of course how can we not talk about the beautiful styles and colors for fashion this season. Let’s get started and have some fun.
I’ll be doing the challenges along with you each day as well. I’m always looking for new ideas and trying new things. I never want to stop learning and improving in areas that need improving…….or just something fresh….I love change, can you tell?
How are your nails looking?
A few years ago, I had acrylic nails. I always loved how they looked with such beautiful colors and it would last forever. I wore them medium length. Long enough to still be able to do things around the house and work on my computer. I wore rubber gloves when I cleaned and washed dishes. Which, rubber gloves are always a good idea when cleaning and washing dishes. After a few years, I decided to give them up. I didn’t enjoy the process, I only loved the outcome. Sitting there for an hour or so and having that drill on my nails made a nervous wreck out of me. Not to mention the expense. What a nightmare my real nails were after taking them off. It took a good while to get my nails healthy again. I recently tried the dip on my nails, but, I had grown used to not having to sit for so long having nails done, I just didn’t think I could go back to that. Even the scheduling time at the salon when you are going out of town, etc. was more than I wanted to do. I confirmed it just wasn’t for me anymore.
If you love having your nails done, I am so happy for you. I think they are just beautiful.
After I got my nails back in shape; it took some getting used to being careful in not breaking a nail. My nails aren’t weak and they aren’t super strong. So needless to say, to have them all one length is a miracle. About the time they are all the same length I will break one and I am one of those that has to have all my nails the same length. It’s a never ending process. I keep files around the house everywhere, so when the break happens, I can fix it immediately.
I also keep polish on my nails. I love color and I think it looks so much more put together to have color on my nails.
Fall is a great time to try some darker colors. For me, I don’t like super dark colors on shorter nails, so I go with the lighter shades of a gold, beige or bronze shade of color.
If you know your correct color code for your hair, skin and eye color, you might stay within those shades for your nails. My color code is soft, so I choose softer colors so they go with my clothing colors and skin better. (At the end of this post, I’ll have the link to determine your color code.)
Do you paint your toenails? The fall and winter is a good time to go without polish on our toes in order to let them have a rest and get healthy. But….I don’t like seeing plain toes…I have to have color. I tend to go darker on my toes if I don’t do the same color on my nails.
A good file is important. I like the glass files and an old fashioned emery board works great. Be gentle when filing, you can do some serious damage and lose the shape of your nail. Your toes should be filed straight across and your nails can have an oval or square shape to them. For me, I like the oval.
Since we are talking about our toes, we might as well take care of the bottom of our feet. If you don’t get regular pedicures, you might want to take care of the rough, dry skin on bottom of feet yourself. You will feel much better when your feet are all soft and silky. I put foot cream on my feet every morning after showering. I also have one of those pedi-eggs that takes the dry skin off. Recently, I purchased one of those grate things that the nail salons have, but, I’ve been to scared to use it….it looks pretty dangerous. I guess I could use it to grate cheese because that is exactly what it looks like. It’s been in it’s little bag since the day I got it. Yikes!
“…How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15
Hand cream is so important on your hands. With colder weather coming, it’s very important to lotion your hands on a regular basis. I keep little tubes of lotion around the house and in my purse for a quick treatment. Not to mention with us all washing our hands constantly, they need moisturizing. Hands are one of the first things to show aging, so the younger you are in getting in the habit of applying lotion to your hands the better. Make it a habit for sure.
I discovered a wonderful gel polish a few years ago. Sally Hansen gel polish and top coat is what I’ve been using for a long time now… and it comes in a few shades that I can wear. I also like the polish remover that comes in little packets. They are presoaked in the solution and it just seems easier and much faster than getting it out of the bottle. By the way, this polish will last a week and sometimes longer….depends on how active I am with my hands and if I remember those gloves when I wash dishes. )
As you can see, when it comes to nails, I’m simple, but, I love a beautiful nail color and keeping my nails in shape. I don’t want to spend a lot of time on them and I don’t miss sitting at the salon at all. Every now and then I like to go for a little pampering. I’m always on the lookout for a salon that is clean, peaceful, safe, beautifully decorated and not rushed! Who me? Picky…..yes, I am. I think at 62 I can be picky, right?
I hope you are inspired to take care of your nails and try out a new beautiful fall color. You are worth it! It’s the little things.
I hope you will give yourself a good pedicure and manicure, either yourself or at the salon.
Choose a nice fall color that goes with your color code.
While you are at it, clean out your polish drawer or however you store your things. I have a drawer that is just for polish and all the tools, etc. I love polish, so I have to go through it every now and then and get rid of what I’m not going to use and take inventory of needed items. Anyone want a foot grater? Ouch!!!
Find a foot and hand lotion you love and keep plenty and get in the habit of using them regularly.
Start using gloves to clean and wash dishes with. I know it feels weird at first, but you will get used to it.
If your nails chip… time to fix it asap. This is one I have to work on a lot!
I found this precious poem!
Her Hands
Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath. Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step. Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall. Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all. Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow. Her hands were often there to comfort the hurt that didn’t always show. Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encourage me to reach. Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length. Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harm’s way. Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say. Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree. Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be. Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work, Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt. Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be. Her hands are the reason I am me. – Maggie Pittman
May our hands always be loving hands and our feet always going to share the good news.
Click here for the Color Analysis
Until next time….
