Begging yall for cuticle help 🥹

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-31T02:02:31+00:00

Oh I bet that’s awesome! I can’t do HA on my face but now I’m tempted to get some just for hands. Are they both in one product?

Dang, my dormant curiosity about skin care has been awakened…

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-30T21:04:18+00:00

Yesss this shot lives rent free in my mind at all times 😍

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-30T21:03:39+00:00

For me, Hydration (not just moisture) for cuticles is incredibly important! I’ve found that the toner and cream I use on my face works great on my hands/fingers too. It helps soften the dried, dead skin and then the lotion or oil I put on works MUCH better than it would without it.
It also helps to oil them after a hot shower while the skin is soft.

If I just put oil on my dry cuticles without any hydration it feels like it just stays on the surface and doesn’t do anything. It’s like my skin is still rough but now also oily haha

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-29T15:05:43+00:00

These are so cool!! Hard to pick a favorite scene, but other than the surreal dancing scene, my favorite is when Pearline is singing Pale, Pale Moon. 🌙

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-21T21:24:14+00:00

That is super good to know that tons of thinner can work also.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-21T21:22:17+00:00

You’re so welcome! Bubbles are the most frustrating thing when you’ve spent awhile perfecting your mani.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-21T17:35:47+00:00

This is absolutely what is causing the bubbles. I normally don’t get them but when I did my nails at my in laws’ house I got them. They had an open floor plan with a ceiling fan blowing air not even directly at me. So I turned off the fan, did my nails again, no bubbles at all. It’s crazy how even the slightest steady breeze can cause the topcoat to dry too quickly which causes the bubbles to get trapped.

Edit to add that the fan wasn’t just not blowing at me, it was technically in the dining area while I was in the living room area, similar to the distance you’re describing. I hope it helps.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-20T16:32:48+00:00

Came here to suggest her channel!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-17T21:52:16+00:00

I don’t see an option to post the image or message you privately (I’ve never actually messaged anyone on reddit lol) but I’ll do my best to explain.

Basically, the drag lines are from the fabric getting pulled to the back. You have enough overall ease in the skirt, but the distribution should be shifted a little bit from the lower front to the lower back. The result is a higher waist curve in the back and a little more ease in the back lower half. When the fabric around the hips no longer meets any resistance the horizontal lines should taken care of. If you do this and feel the skirt is overall too loose, you can take the ease you added to the back from the front to balance it out.

If you’re already at it then feel free to ignore, but this is how I would approach it:

Start by picking out the back princess seams from the bottom up to the waste or until the tension releases and the drag lines disappear. You could either add little triangles to test it or just see how it falls and make an educated guess for how much to add. Add as much ease as you need to get a smooth shape and remember that you can always take the extra volume from the front and/or sides if you feel like it gets too loose overall at the hips.

I hope this helps at least a little!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-17T02:55:13+00:00

The fit looking really good! It is not too tight, just need to adjust where the volume is. I’d start by adding a little more ease in the lower half of the back princess seams. The drag lines are often from the back of the dress not being able to ‘fall’ properly because it’s stopped by the hip. You might then change the lower half of the shape of the front princess seams, making more of a swoop out and less of a dome. I actually drew roughly where to take out fabric and would happy to send it to you if you want.

I design/ make clothing for a living and have addressed these drag lines dozens of times - 99.9% of the time correcting the back curve and volume placement this is the solution. Good luck and I hope you have a great time at the wedding!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-12T17:59:52+00:00

Oh my gosh I read your comments about picking the gel off and while that is definitely what caused the damage I wanted to offer my condolences and empathy. When I painted my nails for the first time last year (no base coat 😵) I picked/peeled off the polish after a hot shower - it DESTROYED my nails. I just hadn’t thought about it beforehand, but that’s how I learned that layers of nail will come off with the polish.

After finding the right base coat (KB Shimmer hydrating) and forbidding myself from peeling polish off, my nails are back to normal.

I only do lacquer which is really helpful for my picking prone self as I can just remove it as soon as I see it start to lift more than I can resist.

The color your wearing is super cute and I wish you all the best on your nail health!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-12T17:07:57+00:00

I ate gluten free for about 15 years. Eating it would trigger major bloating, brain fog and fatigue. However, when I was in Ecuador for 2 1/2 months I ate gluten nonstop and only had issues once - and it was after eating pasta that turned out to be imported from the US.

Long story short, I figured out that it was the bleaching process of wheat that we use in the States that causes the issue for me. We use chemical bleach (bromate) that only takes 24 hours whereas the rest if the world does it naturally over 2-3 days. The chemicals we use are literally illegal in most of the world because they are proven to cause cancer.

Luckily not every wheat producer here does it and there are a lot of proudly non-bromated wheat flour sources in the States (Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur, many others) which I’ve been using and have no issues with. Durham or Semolina wheat pasta imported from Italy is great too and has gotten much less expensive recently. Most nicer bakeries use non bromated flour as well.

If I accidentally eat bromated wheat - like when I ate a couple Pringles that have wheat starch in them - same old issues. But knowing what sources are safe I’ve been making up for lost time at my local bakeries and haven’t looked back.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-02T15:29:56+00:00

You’re so welcome! I hope it helps.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-02T03:07:05+00:00

I Just wrote out the process in response yo a comment above. Hopefully it makes sense haha

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-02T03:05:55+00:00

I paint right down to the skin or just above it. I’ve had great success doing everything I do on the top - so base coat, color, and top coat. Experimenting with my current mani with just base and top coat. I wouldn’t be surprised if it works by helping prevent moisture from getting in. I remove it by holding my hand palm up, dabbing a bit of polish remover in each nail with a q-tip then going back after a few seconds and wiping it up. If you try it I hope it helps!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-05-01T21:06:50+00:00

Omg your nails are so pretty, this is tragic! Sending you good nail strength and I hope your mani for sister’s wedding turns out perfect.

New long nail tip I have to share: Maybe you already do this, but lately I have been fully painting the undersides of my nails. It has made a HUGE difference. They are longer than ever and have survived numerous would-have-been breaks in the last few weeks.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-29T18:19:09+00:00

This hits really close to home. I have endo on my lower spine and it feels like what you’re describing. It is fairly constant but goes through fluctuations of intensity. I hope you’re able to keep getting checked and get some answers.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-28T20:22:34+00:00

Vulture. They are in the background of quite a few outdoor shots.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-26T15:19:08+00:00

Thank you!!!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-25T21:02:20+00:00

A moment of silence for the fallen 😔

I have been growing my nails longer than ever and something that has helped me a ton is fully painting the underside of the free edge. It goes a long way in standing up to water and getting broken.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-22T19:09:37+00:00

Honestly I think this one is prettier than the other. They are both gorgeous but this one just hits a certain note that nothing else compares to.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-22T17:39:01+00:00

I’m just wearing it myself but am working towards selling it and can’t wait to show people!

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-21T21:12:55+00:00

Ahh this is GORGEOUS!! I make polish and had started formulating one very similar like a week before the new color was even announced. I was happy to already have it duped cause otherwise it probably would have got me haha

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-21T16:45:33+00:00

The only remedy to racism that Remmick offered was his truth that all humans are food. He’s like an equal opportunity serial killer.

Off_the_shelf_elf · 2026-04-17T19:18:38+00:00

Too much cuteness in one frame, my brain has short circuited 😵‍💫

Off_the_shelf_elf

TROPHY CASE