My Manicure Routine

I've been meaning to do a post like this for awhile, just never found time to take the pictures. I love seeing where everyone does their nails and reading about different routines...so here's mine.

I do a manicure every Sunday night, and I'm generally quite picky about the nail polishes I'll use, because they have to last for 7 days with no chipping and minimal tip wear. OPI, China Glaze, Zoya, and Nubar are my main "go to" polish brands, though I do have some Essie, and just ordered some Misa to try.

First, I pick out polish color(s) from my two bins of nail polish that I keep in one of the veggie drawers in the fridge:Then I pick out my nail art items, and add them to my manicure tray. My nail art "stuff" is all in the top drawer of this dresser in the bathroom (the bottom drawer is for dirty laundry...mostly towels). There's a cutting board on top for slicing clay canes, and two sets of pedicure stones that I haven't used yet, but are supposed to be nice and warm between the toes when heated in warm water.
Next I remove my old polish. Most of my manicure steps are done in this chair, with that tray on my lap - comfy for TV watching!After the old polish is removed, time for a slathering of lotion, followed by a paraffin dip to the wrists:
Then after my hands are all nice and moisturized, I file my nails, and buff the tops lightly (to remove any excess oils from them). Sometimes I use my crystal file, others I use the electric file/buffer you see on the right:Then I polish, decorate and top coat, with half-time drops to help it dry.

Total time spent on my nails is about 2 - 1/2 hours per week. But it's totally worth it, of course.

What's your manicure routine? Do you have one?