How to have beautiful nails
You dream of beautiful nails because you know deep down that it contributes to your feminine look. All you have to do is to treat them gently and follow a few simple nail care tips and tricks. Dare I say rules?
What indispensable nail care tools should you have at home?
Whether you take care of your nails at home or you go to a salon for nail care, the most needed tool has to be the nail file. Preferably wide and soft with a fine grain. In close second a buffer that you can use on the top of the nail, then a wooden stick (preferably made of a good hardwood like birch or orange,) a cuticle nipper and eventually a water based emollient to soften around the edge of the nail and makes taking care of nails easier. Everything must be cleaned and sanitized frequently, this can be done with a spray that ensure perfect hygiene even at home.
How to use the tools for beautiful nails?
The first rule is to avoid cutting nails unless they are very long, as this tends to make them more fragile.
Filing: the shape of your nail must be in relation to the shape of your hand, as well as your personal style. For example, if you are sophisticated, you should wear square nails. If your style is more discreet, an oval or rounded shape is more fitting.
To smooth the surface of the nail you should polish and it with a buffer, you can add sheen to it by adding a little nourishing oil, we recommend Argan oil, but olive oil does work too.
Push cuticles around the edge with the stick, use an emollient on the complete area of the nail to soften dead skin, then remove cuticles with the nipper.
When you have finished these steps, you can use polish. If what you want to do is protect your nails a simple base coat is sufficient.
Soft nails can be strengthened as explained on the post: Argan oil a natural nail strengthener.
If however you tend to chew your nails you should opt for a bitter nail polish.
What should you avoid?
Avoid everyday wear on your nails is easier said than done. Your hands are constantly exposed to some form of aggression, but you can minimize the damage and keep your nails a little safer.
First avoid excessive manicuring, that is you should not manicure more than once a week. Overly manicuring will only render yours nails more brittle.
Then of course as previously stated avoid chewing your nails or on the little annoying skins that sometimes irritate all of us, as this can be a source of infection.
Get into the habit to wear gloves to wash dishes, work in the garden or other manual activities.
Never apply polish to an unprotected nail, use a base coat, this will prevent yellowing of your nails.
Finally watch your diet, avoid dishes that are too rich or too fat.
Are there advantages to an in salon manicure?
Having your nails done professionally is useful because it can give you a personalized diagnostic about your nails. You can get advice about your personal need, and how to care for the type of nails you have. You can also watch the way the manicurist uses the tools, and use the same gestures on your own later on. If you decide to do a regular visit to a salon once a month should be the ideal frequency. But if you prefer to do your own nails and go to a salon once in a while as a special treat, the best schedule would be about every four months, as the seasons change nails undergo changes as well and are more apt to fragility at that time.
