Natural and Sustainable

1. Use soy or water-based, acetone-free polish remover.

2. Clip your fingers to the length you are wanting and then use a file to shape them.

3. Fill a small bowl with wam water and add drops of essential oil to the water and soak your hands or for feet use a large bowl and do the the same for about three minutes. Use essential oils such as geranium or lavender oil to help relax you.

4. Apply lotion to the cuticles with the the same oil as the base and push back cuticles with an orangewood stick. Never clip your cuticles. The cuticles are there to protect your nails from bacteria. If you receive a manicure from a “professional”, always tell them not to cut or clip the cuticle bed.

5. Using your essential oil-based lotion, use a small amount and add sugar to the mixture. Apply this all over your hands to help exfoliate the skin on the hands and add moisture where it is needed. If you have rather dry hands, rub mixture for a few minutes more, taking care in the areas needing it most.

6. With the orangewood stick, remove any dirt or grime from the nail bed, under the nail and on the tips of the fingers.

7. Apply a base-coat onto dry nails. It is wise to use a base coat that is a ridge filler, in order for the color to go on more smooth. Apply your color in two coats, followed by another light sweep to help the polish stay on the nail longer and prevent chips in the color.

8. Using a cotton ball soaked in polish remover, wrap the cotton ball around the top of the orangewood stick and remove any color on the skin and around the nail area.

Some Environmentally-Friendly Polishes To Try:

• Priti Nail Polish ($12.50)

• Anise Professional Nail Color ($6)

• Honeybee Gardens Nail Enamel ($5.99)

• Suncoat Water-Based Nail Polish ($9.99)

• PeaceKeeper Nail Paint ($12)

• Go Natural Nail Polish ($5.25)

Safer and environmentally-friendly polishes are no different in color than the everyday run-of-the-mill polishes up for purchase at the drug store. The only “better” difference is they are safe for the earth and better on your skin. They do however take longer to dry than the normal nail color, so do keep that in mind when applying layers.

**There is an automotive class just for women who are eager to learn how to do every type of car maintenance themselves. It’s called: “Ladies, Start Your Engines”. The instructor is Lori Johnson and she aims to being more women into the automotive knowledge world. So look out men, here we come. To read more about this class, go to Automotive Blogger, written by M. Mayber, and read all about it.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Always buy shade-grown, fair-trade coffee. ALWAYS! Never settle for less.