Every day our social media feed is awash with nail art. There are Pantone colors, geometric angles, and other spectacles of every imaginable form and fashion happening on nail beds across the country. And while we love the trend, sometimes there is something to be said for a natural nail! Whether your digits just need a break or your hoping to go a little more boho this year, Debbie Leavitt is teaching us a few of her top tips for a green manicure that will get your nails, hands and more in super natural condition.
As founder of Sheswai Beauty, Debbie knows what she’s talking about. With a passion to help more women find out just how incredible a natural mani can be she launched her line of Sheswai (she-sway) polishes, all of which are 3-free (that’s what we’re looking for!) and capped with a beautiful sustainable wood cap. We love that Debbie has created so very many versions of pale pink and peach to choose from, along with her more raucous shades in every color of the rainbow.
Check out Debbie’s simple tips for naturally glowing hands, feet, and nails from the inside out and then enter to win this Sheswai LoveBag: three gorgeous polishes in an eco-chic jute satchel.
File Away:
File nails gently, allowing the grit of your file to do the work.
So Buff:
A very fine-grit buffer block will gently remove any staining or ridges, and will prep the surface of the nail for an easy polish application.
Snip Snap:
Invest in nippers to gently cut hangnails and loose bits of skin around the cuticle.
Sugar Rush:
Make your own scrub. Combine your favorite oil, olive or sesame are ideal, and organic sugar for an easy, at-home scrub to exfoliate your skin. Use all over your body and on your hands and feet for hydrated, glowing skin.
Go Nude:
Skip the basecoat. Remove any oils from the nail with a swipe of your polish remover.
Polish Police:
Use a spare amount of polish. I believe less is more when polishing a natural nail.
Oil Spill:
Keep hands and nails moisturized with good old-fashioned olive oil. Rub a bit into your cuticles while cooking in the kitchen as a great way to keep your hands looking their best.
Glow Potion:
Drink plenty of water, tea and fresh pressed juice for glowing skin, lustrous hair and strong nails.
Nailed Down:
Rest and stress less – you’d be surprised how much this effects your nails, hair and skin!
Happy Hands:
Find happiness โย it just makes everything better. From hands to the heart, a little bit of daily happiness can make your whole being operate just a little stronger.
Win It!
One lucky winner will receive a Sheswai LoveBag: three polishes + an eco-chic jute satchel! Leave a comment telling us your favorite way to pamper yourself – be it mani, pedi or just a few deep breaths!
My favorite pampering is for my feet (let’s face it-they take us where we need to go, so they deserve to be pampered!). I have a BPA-free rectangular pail just for this purpose. Very warm water with a handful of epsom salts, nice scoop of sea salt, scoop of baking soda and add essential oil of your choice, Lavender is perfection. Sometimes I will toss in a peppermint tea bag for refresh”mint”! After soaking, dry thoroughly and smear on your favorite cream. Add soft socks and you won’t believe how amazing your feet will look and feel in the morning.
My favorite pamper routine is simple–I shower, put on my mask, and meditate for 10-15 mins allowing for thoughts to run freely, never holding onto one thing. Then I massage my hands with oils and cozy up with some hot tea.
My favorite way to pamper myself is soak in a warm bubble bath with a book and tea. If I have some extra time, I’ll do a dry brush first and a face mask. It’s great for relaxing after a long week!
Favorite pamper routine–a nice cup of warm lemon water, a gluten free almond meal cookie, and to shamelessly read through my favorite foodie blogs.
I love to do a ginger sugar scrub, take a hot bath, while drinking hot tea and a good read.
A cup of homemade chai, a good book, a great playlist, and an empty house (which is a rarity) are just what I need to feel pampered.
Every Sunday night, I perform a long routine that will get me prepped, de-stressed, and refreshed for the week to come. I read a classic book while taking a nice, long, hot lavender oil bath and moisturize from head to toe with coconut oil. I exfoliate my face and hands and feet. I sit down with some candles and music to paint my fingernails and toenails. I meditate while those are drying and then do a little bed time yoga before pulling back the covers at 9:00 and getting ten blissful hours of beauty sleep.
My favorite pampering ritual is to first light a lavender candle. Next, I make a coconut oil and salt scrub for my feet: I’ll scrub them well before then running a bath full of Epsom salts and my own essential oil mix: I make a different blend each time, depending on my mood. The last one I made was a mixture of sandalwood, vanilla, and grapefruit. After a relaxing soak, I’ll moisturize all over with my favorite Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil. I like to get in my pajamas and then snuggle with my pug, a cup of warm almond milk and honey, and a stack of magazines. Heaven!
Taking a moment for yourself during a hectic workday. Even if it’s just stepping outside into the sun for a moment!
Yoga and a facial. Even if it’s just spreading greek yogurt over my face. Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be relaxing. :o)
I pamper myself EVERYDAY! Wake up, smile, be thankful for everything in my life, nurture my body with whole, fresh foods, keep smiling, meditate (in silence or while dancing in my room)…. and everyone in a while wrap my body in warm towels and moisturize with coconut oil!
I love to take a bubble bath while listening to my ipod. There is nothing more relaxing at the end of a long day!
Well… I just had a baby 6 short weeks ago, my first, so what I consider pampering myself has really shifted. Lately my favorite little thing to do is clip, file, and buff my nails while my sweet girl sleeps in my lap after a feeding. I’m hoping to get some polish back on them one of these days!
Being a stay at home mom of three active boys…me time is a must. To pamper myself I do at home mani’s every week. And at least once a month I treat myself to an at home full spa treatment…no kids or hubby’s allowed!
My favor way to pamper myself is with essential oils! My favorite essential oil line is from “Well Scent Apothecary”. It’s a non-toxic and health-promoting alternative to perfume and is really nice when you’re trying to wind down after a long day. I like their “Pause for Peace” blend. I put a drop on my bookmark and place it in the book that I’m going to read before bed. So I crawl in bed with my good book, open it up, and a soothing aroma flows out.
I love to sit down with a hot espresso and scrapbook in peace & quiet , and of course I love having my nails done ๐
I love taking a epsom salt and lavender bubble baths while reading a good book!
Fave mani is Sheswai “Stoked” or “Rootsy”, brightens my day and goes with every outfit.
In winter, I like to practice yoga by my fireplace in my bedroom day and/or night. I follow it by enjoying a cuo herbal tea and then a steam shower. Then moisturize my skin with argan oil and coconut oil.
In winter, I like to practice yoga by my fireplace in my bedroom day and/or night. I follow it by enjoying a cup herbal tea and then a steam shower. Then moisturize my skin with argan oil and coconut oil.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER, RONI!
I like to pamper myself with a homemade body scrub made of used organic coffee beans that I freshly ground and brewed in the morning. I love the smell of coffee so the scent is intoxicating. The coffee grounds have their own oils so not only does it remove dead skin but also leaves my skin nicely hydrated with a faint scent of coffee. I’ve kept my nails bare since I learned that the nail polishes contained formaldehyde. I’d like to give these a try, I miss having my nails polished.