the longest lasting base coat (DIY manicure)

What started out as a post about the best base coat has now turned into an all out DIY manicure post! 

So, first of all. Orly has a great line of base and top coats that I love. 

But their base coat is truly a must-have. 

It is a rubberized bonder that makes for the longest lasting manicure I've ever had. I am telling you, my nails last longer when I do them myself using this base coat than when I get them done at a salon...

Which is rare, if ever. Because I am cheap. 

Or frugal. Call it what you will. But I just find no need to pay someone to do my nails when I can do them myself - it's cheaper, it's faster, it's less of a hassle, they last longer, and I just call up my mom and chat with her while I do them! What's not to love?

Here are the only 6 items you (I) need:

1. nail clippers
2. 4-sided nail "block" (to file, smooth, buff, shine)
3. cuticle oil
4. Orly Bonder
5. nail color of your choice
6. Orly Sec n Dry

It's pretty self explanatory. For the cuticle oil, I just let it soak in for a minute, then wash my hands and proceed with the nail painting. And I have found if you wait a couple of minutes in between each layer of polish (I use 2 coats of color), once you put on the top coat, they will dry even faster!

...................................................................................................................................................................

And you know I can't write a post without including some metaphor about life... 

So I was thinking about the importance of this base coat. Without a great base coat, you can spend all the time in the world painting your nails perfectly, use the most expensive nail polish, etc. etc. But without a great base coat, your nails are going to chip. The polish is not going to last. 

And I feel like that's how it is in life in regards to our faith. Our faith is the foundation for life. Our base coat, if you will. Without it we can spend all the time in the world working to achieve goals, get promotions, become rich and famous - "painting" our lives, if you will. But without that base coat, without a solid foundation, without faith, when we make it to the top, we are still going to be unfulfilled. Essentially, that happiness, that polish, is not going to last either.

Why do you think there are so many shockingly wealthy people who are equally shockingly depressed?

It doesn't take to look around and see the need for Jesus in this world. Sure, money, fame, and the things of this world are nice. But they won't last. They won't fulfill us for long. 

Only our Savior can do that. 

He's our base coat, our solid foundation, our rock.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." - Matthew 7:24

If we seek the things of this world, we will end up with nothing. But if we seek Him first, we just might get the things of this world thrown in, too.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33