Happy Marathon Day for anyone living in New York City! On Sunday’s I like to relax and take care of whatever I need to for the following week. One of the things that I am very diligent about is getting my nails done. My parents always told me that the next thing that anyone sees after your face is your hands. The last thing you want is someone who you are trying to get a job from looking down at your hands to see them not groomed! Some people would disagree with me, but even one of my teachers in college and graduate school told me that they 100% agree with this. My graduate school teacher told me he didn’t hire someone partially because their nails looked like they had been through a war zone and didn’t feel like the employee would be a good representation for their brand. Personally, I am a huge gel manicure fan. The day that it came out when I was college I was hooked. I was always that girl that would somehow ruin my manicure even before I left the nail salon so this was the best solution to that. However, over the years the gel polish has gotten better for your nails, but still it does wreak havoc on them over time. I personally wait 3 weeks in between my gel manicures, but a week before I get my gel manicure I take off my gel polish at home. This gives my nails a break from the gel polish but also time to get stronger. To take them off I buff them with a nail file and then I take aluminum foil which I have already cut into small squares and place one around the bottom of my finger. After that i use half a cotton ball soaked in acetone and put on the top of my nail. Cover up the nail and let it soak for about 10 minutes. If the gel polish is done right it will come off 1 – 2 – 3. After that I take it off with one of those sticks that they use when you get your manicure to clean off the edges. After this I wash my hands with soap and water and dry them and then I proceed to do the other hand. I only do one hand at a time so if I need to do something the other hand is free. After both hands are done I then buff and file my nails. After that I apply a base coat on that is meant to strengthen your nails. I personally love either the OPI or Essie base just depends on your preference. If you hate having no color on your nails find a pale pink that with one coat it will look like you have polish, but won’t be able to tell if it is not perfect. Then apply a top coat and let it dry for a while. Having a simple coat of polish until your gel will allow your nails to truly heal and I have also learned that it helps the next time you put your gel polish on. I also like removing my gel polish at home because nail salons, especially in New York City, charge an arm and a leg to do it. Hope you all have a great Sunday and for all of those who are running the marathon good luck and hope you all aren’t too sore tomorrow :-).