“How do I apply Dressing Your Truth to my nails?”
Great question! Giving a little extra attention to your nails and toenails is a fun way to express more of your feminine nature. Who doesn’t love a day at the spa for a mani/pedi?!
There a quite a few options when it comes to doing your nails. Let’s talk about it!
Here are 3 questions to consider when you’re choosing your nail look:
1. Which method do you like?
Topcoat
The most basic method is to just use a topcoat, or plain, old nail polish. The advantages of this simple DIY method are that you can change the color more often, do it at home quickly, and it’s inexpensive and won’t cause damage to your nails over time.
A lot of women like the ritual of painting their nails because it’s relaxing and calming. There’s something so satisfying about adding a smooth, soft layer of polish.
One of the cons of this method is that it doesn’t last very long, maybe just 2-3 days. For a lot of women, this is a pet-peeve because they’re left with chipped nails, begging to be redone.
However, this is a great method for toes because toe polish doesn’t get chipped as easily.
Stickers and Strips
If you’re looking for a more permanent but still DIY option, you could try nail stickers or strips. They’re becoming very popular, both in stores and with independent sellers. There’s so much variety when it comes to color and pattern!
Type 2 Expert Anne loves them too! “I prefer my nails low maintenance. I keep them short and rarely use polish because it chips off so fast! I recently found some nail stickers that actually stay on and I’ve been having fun with those.”
Acrylic Nails and Gel Nails
These require a commitment—both with time and money. Acrylic nails and gel nails are the most permanent options and most likely require a visit to the salon. Acrylic and gel both last longer and they’re more durable for daily use. You can also change or enhance the shape of your natural nail with these methods.
Acrylic or gel are great options while you’re visiting the salon regularly, but if you decide to stop this method, you’ll have about 5 weeks where the damaged nails have to grow out completely. But many women are happy with this method while it lasts!
Nail health is very important to Type 2 women. They can be pretty practical when it comes to “dolling” up their nails. But, even though they are usually plain, they do care for them and make sure the cuticles are healthy and nail beds are moisturized and smooth.
2. What’s your best shape?
There are quite a few popular nail shapes to consider. You can create a specific nail shape by getting artificial nails or by filing your nails into a certain shape.
The best shapes to harmonize with your Type 2 energy are oval, squoval, and almond.
Oval will create an elongated and softened shape. Squoval, which is basically a softened square, is a great alternative to the traditional square nail shape. Almond is a more narrow oval with a softened point at the tip. (To see more examples of these shapes, simply do an internet search.)
3. Do you have a color preference?
Now this is what really makes your nails sing!
Jennifer shared this beautiful photo and says, “My go-to is usually a pink or purple ombre with some sparkle added towards the tip. Ombre color blend for my Type 2 nature and the sparkle keeps my Secondary 1 happy.”
Find the perfect colors for you by using your Style Guide! Ask yourself: are they tones? We have a full series on helping you determine your Type 2 colors! Here’s a refresher on your Type 2 Tones.
Here are some lovely Type 2 colors to get you started:
Are you a “nail girl” or more a of “plain Jane”?
What’s your preferred method of nail care? Do you have a favorite nail color? Post your tips in the comments below.
Nails can be a fun way to personalize your style and become an accessory. But don’t stop there! Get even more accessories for your Type in the DYT Online Store!
P.S. There’s more than one way to use nail polish. Find out how you can use it to refashion jewelry!
Anne, you are so awesome with your details! I loved how you set this up so we can easily click on the polishes and some even show the skin tone of the model’s hand. I can’t wait to get a pretty new color or 2. ( My daughters will be so especially thrilled if I get a different color than the polish basket full of all mauves I have accrued ) 🙂
Thank you! Did you end up finding some new colors for yourself?
Great post Anne! I either wear nothing or just clear on my finger nails. I work so much with my hands that my nails are short but I like to keep them neat and clean. Not crazy about my toenails either but I always keep them polished in the summer, but I wear a color that blends with my skin tone. I read some stuff about bad things in nail polish and started buying Zoya brand from Amazon. Believe it or not, it lasts forever! It never chipped. I only took it off because my nails were growing out. Here is my new favorite that blends with my skintone: Zoya Transitional Naturel Collection Spring. It’s a beautiful peachy pink.
Thanks for the suggestion on the brand Zoya! I’ll have to look that up.
Wow, it was like reading a history of me. I too like bright on my toes, light/neutral on my fingers. The only manicure I’ve had in years that lasted over a day was a gel manicure so I don’t usually bother anymore. I keep my hands with nails short and clean in a squared oval and toenails done when I can. The color on my toes now is OPI and this little piggy. Very similar to the shade you have.. :))))
So glad you found this article helpful, Maureen!
I understand your decision to forgo manicures, Anne. With little children and lots to do it can be pretty high maintenance. However, with a family of my own I have been getting manicures throughout my adult life to take care of myself. I give my nails a rest after 6 months of gel manicures just to heal mostly from the removal process of the gel which is intense! During the rest time I get a regular manicure. My toes look good with darker smoky pinks like yours. My go-to is a French manicure (pink with white tips) with CND Romantique Gel.for the pink part and white tips. If I do a regular manicure I like just Essie Ballet Slippers which is a pale pink. My hands and nails have benefited from the regular care and I love the compliments I get for my Type 2 nails ! I hope that when you have time you will re-consider a regular nail appointment.
Holly, I think that’s wonderful you take the time to take care of your nails. My mom, Carol, has had acrylic nails since before I can remember and it has really helped her nails and overall hand appearance. (She used to be a nail-biter.) I can see myself getting back into it at some point too!
I have gel nails and they aren’t damaged at all. It all depends on how they are removed for a re-polish. As long as they don’t rush the removal process by scraping or filing the nails, there shouldn’t be any damage. One of my favorite T2 colors is OPI “Taupeless on The Beach”. It comes in both regular and gel.
I don’t really like the feel of nail polish, as it feels like my nails are dirty. Also I read that most nail polishes are quite toxic, so I don’t want my body to get toxic from using nail polish. I used to use polish earlier in my life, but now I have stopped using it for two years, I don’t miss it at all!
I had been a Jamberry nails consultant for 6 months before I discovered that I was a type 2 / secondary 3 – so many of my nail wrap choices had been probably type 4! I am now using what I’ve learned from the course to choose nail wraps to suit me better, and I love them even more now 🙂 Thank you!
Something’s wrong here – Anne’s name is at the top, but Jaleah signed at the bottom.
Oh YES to nail colour! It’s quite simple to learn hand and nail care for DIY. All it takes is practice and accepting the learning curve.
I too, wear a brighter toe colour… within the Type-2 context ;-). Fingernails are usually one of the Essie brand soft pastels. Loving the Essie Gel Coture line; fast drying, beautiful, smooth gloss. “Fairy Tailor” is becoming a staple. It comes off cleanly with regular remover.
Nails are a fashion accessory, in my “realm of beauty”. I usually change colours every few days or just buff them to a soft glow.
Maybe because I have to shape the nails at least once a week, I’m less wedded to “long lasting polish”. They happen to grow fast, even keeping them a medium-length almond shape.
Thanks for making all of these LifeStyle articles and videos. They’re a wonderful addition to the DYT course! I’ve just joined LifeStyle and am truly learning so much more and enjoying the content.