I had to paint my paws this morning for the secret squirrel project I’m working on, but I didn’t have time to do a full-on mani with the works — soaking, filing, pushing back my cuticles with an orange stick, etc., you know the drill — so I did everything right at my keyboard.
Yeah, that’s totally a thing.
In my world, LOL!
If you’re always in front of your computer like I am, painting your nails at your keyboard takes multitasking to the next level, and it’s a real option, especially if you use a quick drying polish.
I like these Essie Gel Couture Polishes, which I know I’ve already mentioned, but I like ’em that much. I’m wearing First View today, which is a baby blue with a hint of pearl).
Technically, the formula isn’t called “quick drying,” but it is. Layers dry in about five minutes, and I’ve been wearing these a lot lately and talking about them all the time because they’re grrrrreat. I love the colors, and I can usually get 6-7 days out of them before any chips.
Like I was saying, for my keyboard manis, I’ll do a layer, then type a little while it dries. This time I answered some comments on MBB and wrote two emails. Then I’ll repeat with a second layer.
And as long as I’m careful when I type and don’t bump my nails, I don’t get any nicks.
Time really flies, too, while I’m at my keyboard, so this is truly a nifty mental trick to actually getting your paws painted.
After two coats (or sometimes three, depending on the shade), I add a top coat, except for when I know I’m not going to keep wearing the same nail polish for more than a day or two, in which case I save myself the trouble and skip it.
Give it a try sometime! Keyboard manis — they’re a thing. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Agata says
August 9th, 2016 at 1:03 pmI agree, these polishes are amazing, they last on me even longer than a week! I just got another shade yesterday!
I used to paint my nails in between calls at work, now I cannot even do that because I am on the phone all the time!
I cannot wait to hear about your secret project, Karen!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:48 pmThat’s great that these last longer than a week on you. The most I get is 7 days and for me that’s amazing! What color did you pick up?
Tatiana says
August 9th, 2016 at 1:44 pmI need to find these polishes somewhere. My Tom Ford didn’t even make it to day 4. Then again, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I skip the soaking, cuticle removal, orange stick routine and just file, shape, slap on two coats and a top coat.
Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:47 pmI’ve seen them at CVS! Maybe next time you’re there keep an eye out? I think Ulta also has them, too!
Tatiana says
August 10th, 2016 at 7:53 pmThanks for the heads up. There’s a CVS on my walk back home from the gym, but they always seem to be out of stock on everything beauty related. Maybe I’ll order one from Ulta to try. Are there any shimmers, holos or duochromes in the bunch?
Jane says
August 9th, 2016 at 4:49 pmThat nail polish sounds great. Imhave to admit that I hadn’t had a manicure since March because I hate waiting for my polish to dry. I had a manicure recently for my trip to Florida. I will have to invest in some nail colors. So good to have you back on a regular basis. Is life getting back to some normalcy for you? Zack came home two weeks ago after being away for a month. It feels like he never left!
Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:46 pmHi Jane,
I don’t know if I can go back to regular nail polish now with all the awesome quick-dry gels that are out. Have you tried the new ones from Chanel? Those are great too (so pricey though). Sally Hansen also makes some good ones.
Life on this end is a little hectic at the moment. I’ve been trying to balance the baby and the blog and this side project and so I’m kind of all over the place, but once the side project is done I think life will finally settle into a routine again. At least I hope it will!
Where did Zack go for a month? Camp? Doesn’t he start school soon?
I hope that you’re doing well. I miss chatting with you!
Rachel says
August 9th, 2016 at 7:33 pmI haven’t done a soaking mani since its been hot out, feels icky to sit with a hot bowl of water in my lap! But for some reason I get emails from CVS and they said they have those new Essie’s. I am drooling over all the colors!
Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:42 pmThey have SO many good ones. My faves are the blues and greens. I wore a green shade on my toes for weeks; it’s called Beauty Nap and it looks like jade, so pretty!
Rachel says
August 9th, 2016 at 7:34 pmPS I need a Miss Connor Claire update!
Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:37 pmI’ll have one up soon. I *just* took her 5 month (!) pics and need to take the off the camera. Here’s a quickie pic of her though to tide you over. 🙂
This is her outfit of the day! Check out the shoes.
Kiss & Make-up says
August 9th, 2016 at 11:58 pmYup, I do this! It’s all about being efficient 🙂
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:35 pmMulti-tasking FTW!
Becky says
August 10th, 2016 at 12:29 amI looooooooove these polishes! They’re fab! Do you use them with the gel top coat or just on their own?
Also-great idea on the keyboard mani. I’d never have thought of that before, but I guess with an Apple keyboard with quite flat keys it’s a relatively knock-free activity!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:28 pmHi Becky,
I usually do the gel coat, but if I know I’m going to take off the polish right away (like within the next day or two), I skip it.
Kim says
August 10th, 2016 at 6:35 amI am wearing a similar shade on my toenails right now. Normally I’m all about the darker toenail polish for my feet but I’m trying to be a bit more toe-trendy. 🙂 I’d say mine is a bit more cornflower blue. Good idea on the multitasking, as always!
Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:28 pmOh look at you trying something new! I feel like a proud mama…
Jessica says
August 10th, 2016 at 9:17 amI almost always am at the puter while waiting for my nails to dry.
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:27 pmYes! I’m also hoping that Tabs doesn’t jump up and leave cat hair all over my mani. The struggle is real…
Erin says
August 10th, 2016 at 9:25 amI only ever paint my nails when I’m at my desktop computer!
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:26 pmThe best place to paint, LOL!
Chris25 says
August 10th, 2016 at 2:25 pmI do this too! I make sure to lightly tap the keys so my nails don’t touch them.
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Karen says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:26 pmYes! Gotta love multi-tasking. 🙂
kwmechelle says
August 10th, 2016 at 5:33 pmYep, I’m here for another CC update. And please include cute pics, baby giggles/smiles/laughs, funny faces, & the like. And good idea about multitasking mani. Whoever said you’re not back on your “A” game is bananas 🙂 And hurry up, special project. The suspense is killing me ☺️
India says
August 10th, 2016 at 6:35 pmI exclusively buy polishes that dry quickly regardless of how much I might drool over a color because I can never wait for the coats to dry. Have you tried the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails? That stuff dries in like 10 seconds
TravelingBlush says
August 11th, 2016 at 3:28 amIalmost exclusively do my mani and pedi while working with the laptp. Mostly catching up on blogs…