Buff-Off

I like to think my nail routine is pretty comprehensive. Cuticle removers, a handful of tools, files, gels and oils make up my ritual. But it was missing something and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was only when chatting to my friend, complaining that polishes don’t last that long on my albeit, flakey, nails that she asked whether I buff. ‘Buff?’, I said. ‘I haven’t done that since I was 15 and handed a manicure set by my beauty obsessed Aunty!’ (adding fire to my own already burning beauty obsession). There’s something about the four sided, brick of files that seemed a little retro. But no doubt I took her advice and put aside some time to buff off…

Now I’m no expert, but after a quick dig in Google, it looks like nail buffing helps to soften any ridges in the nail and help them look nice and shinny. I guess with any type of sloughing notion you’re also ridding the nail of any crud and giving yourself a nice, fresh surface to paint on, which hopefully equals longer lasting nail polish (hooray!). I have to say since following my mates advice I’ve noticed less tip-wear and my polish lasted a whole five days before I felt the need to remove it – which is pretty darn good for me. Word of caution though, you’re only supposed to buff about once a month if you wear coloured polish often, less if you don’t. Less is more and all that.

I picked this up from Boots – it’s their ‘4 Way Buffer Block’ and costs a bargainalicious £2. Fabulous. So from now on I’ll be setting some time aside each month to get a little ‘retro’.