This is a sponsored post through Brandbacker. I received two samples of imPRESS Manicure to review. All opinions are my own.
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know how much I love having pretty nails. Manicures and pedicures are preferred splurges of mine. They’re all the more tempting now that I can walk to a nail salon!
Salon and spa treatments aren’t the most budget-friendly of indulgences, though. I do my best to make my painted nails last longer. For example, I often bring my own nail polish with me. Then I can touch up small chips at home.
While I own a fairly decent collection of nail polish, I didn’t inherit my mom’s skill at painting my own nails. Before she was diagnosed with cancer, I often brought my fun colors home with me and asked her to paint my nails.
One of those times was over Thanksgiving in 2013, when Dan and I took our engagement photos. Mom even took the time for me to soak my hands in warm soapy water before she gently pushed back my cuticles.
With her cancer treatments, Mom wasn’t as steady-handed as she once was. Dad or Jeremy still took her out for occasional manicures and pedicures, until she entered hospice care. At that point, my mom became bedridden.
A good friend of hers arranged an in-home visit with a nail technician. That was one of many small acts of kindness my family received over the summer.
I’m so glad my mom could have one last manicure and pedicure before she died. She took me for my first manicure and pedicure. I think of her every time I get my nails done.
I wish I had discovered imPRESS Manicure before my mom died. For all the times she gave me a manicure, I could have returned the favor.
Like I said, I’m not that skilled with painting nails, even someone else’s. But imPRESS Manicure is easy to use and looks just as good as a salon manicure.
The only time-consuming part of an imPRESS Manicure is choosing the right size for your nails. The kit comes with 24 gel nails, in a variety of sizes, increasing the odds of finding the perfect gel nail for each of your real nails.
It was so easy to peel the sticker of the back of each gel nail, position onto my nail, and then press into place. I did wait an hour before cutting and filing my gel nails into a shorter, rounder style.
One advantage of imPRESS Manicure over a real manicure is the glitter style. With a salon-manicure, glitter nail polish dries textured. I’ve definitely had it snag on clothes before! My feature nail from my imPRESS Manicure is completely smooth!
If you want to try imPRESS Manicure for yourself, it’s only $7.99 at Wal-greens. imPRESS Manicure comes in a variety of styles, including some fun prints! Prices will range by retailer and by manicure style. You can learn more by reading the imPRESS Manicure FAQs on their website.
What did your mother or other female relative teach you about beauty? What’s a small way you can express gratitude for the love and attention she gave you?
I love press on manicures! They always end up looking great and I find they last longer than when I just paint my nails.
This was my first time trying any sort of press-on manicure, but I’m glad I did!
Ooh I may have to try those. They look great!
They were really easy to apply and cheaper than a manicure. The only downside is that the finger I use most often (right pointer) has already lost its nail. The others all still look good, though, so I might try and replace that one tonight from my extra gel nails.
Awww *sniff sniff* *HUGS* I was really touched by this story. The pretty nails are just a bonus. 🙂
Found you via Wednesday Showcase.
Following you now on twitter and subscribed to your newsletter… I love your Christian feminist libertarian perspective! Already sent a link to my bestie. ;P I’m from Atlanta too! Only now I’m living in Dallas. =/
Aw, thank you! I’m glad you love my perspective. I know it’s rather unique. 😉
I tried to think of an angle for this post that didn’t include my mom, but other than a straight review, I just couldn’t. I mention her in so many of my blog posts because right now, she’s on my mind all the time. So this week she’s featured in my sponsored post. 🙂
This is so beautiful. I love that you were able to spend some time with your mother doing something you both loved before she passed. I’m sure it meant so much to her.
She was the best. I miss her every day.
Those look great! My mom and I get our nails done together when we can so this post definitely made me a little teary. I recently got a gel manicure with her and it lasted two weeks with no issues. When I redid my nails I tried the Sally Hansen Magic No Light Gel polish and it chipped instantly. I have terrible luck with nails, normally I cannot use regular polish since it just chips too easily for me. I may have to try these as an alternative!
I can usually get my regular manicures to last 5-7 days without chipping. I tend to bring my own polish so I can touch-up minor chips and extend my manicure 10 days. The last time I got a gel manicure, it lasted for 3 weeks!
The last time my mom and I actually got our nails done together was for my wedding, along with my MIL and my brother’s then-fiancée. Mom always understood how much I loved having pretty nails–probably since she’s the one who introduced nail care to me!
Your nails look great! What a great memory for you to have of your mother. Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!