Nail Care

Maintaining healthy nails is a science! Here are products to keep them in shape and improve their appearance

Just like your skin, your nails age as well and need daily treatment to look good. There’s no need to use hardeners because while young and fresh nails can withstand a blow, dry ones break easily. The new hand creams contain elements that help nails restore their natural moisture, enhance their strength and promote their growth.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment help hydrate your nails, minimize nail peeling and shield them against environmental damage.

MORE BIOTIN INTO YOUR DIET

Studies have shown that hair and nails have the same requirements – both are made up of keratin and biotin addicts! This vitamin is miraculous because it treats and prevents one from brittle nails. Good sources of biotin are foods such as green peas, oats, soybeans, walnuts and brown rice. You can also take a supplement!

In this day and age, filing your nails should be a fashion gesture, so avoid the classic metal file, which is also too rough. It’s better to keep a designer model that you can take out of your purse with pride. Just keep in mind that the case is in one direction, not both. Filing like using a hacksaw actually weakens your nails.

Revlon by Marchesa Box is a cute compact packaging of 6 mini files.

GROWTH ALERT

Usually the nails of your dominant hand tend to grow faster, at an average rate of 3.5 millimeters per month and the other hand, around 1.6 millimeters. If your body is too tired or stressed, the process will be inhibited and the nutrients diverted to other functions. If it seems that your nails don’t move fast enough, this is a sign. Ask yourself what is going wrong.

This flexible thin strip of skin, which runs along and around the base, is your nail’s guardian. If pushing back the nail plate (hard part of the nail) causes pain, it means your cuticle is starving. Nourish it every day with rich oil and they will look pretty pink and healthy.

Essie Apricot Oil provides nourishing moisture for smoother, softer, suppler cuticles. Instantly refreshes and revitalizes

Place your hair dryer about 12 inches above your nails at warm temperature for two minutes and then switch to cold temperature for a minute to set the colour. To make it in record time you can also use an accelerator.

Bourjois Instant Dry contains a

special silicone that makes any nail polish dry twice as fast.

The base layer is an essential part of a home manicure that is salon quality as it acts as an anchor to set colour on the surface of the nail quicker and prevents discolouration from enamel pigments. Before starting, remember that the nails should be completely dry: wash hands with soap and water and dry well.

M.A.C Base Lacquer is a great option for people whose enamel comes off or cracks easily.

SURGICAL CARE

Fungus is a nightmare, so it´s important that all your tools are stainless steel. After use, scrub them with soap and water, then soak for at least 10 minutes in a disinfectant solution. It’s the only way to remove any residual germs from your nail kit and prevent the formation of bacteria. It is also important to store it in a plastic sealed container.

FIND A GENTLE REMOVER

Don’t torture your nails using a remover that contains acetone or formaldehyde; gentler products are available. These harsh chemicals can damage and weaken your nails. Never soak the nail, just use a minimum of solvent in a cotton ball, rub slightly and rinse with water right after.

ARMOUR-PLATE ENAMEL

Did you just apply what your nails are already peeling off? You need to add a top coat to your vanity. Applied after your nail colour, it guarantees that your impeccable manicure will last for at least 10 days. The advantage of the new formulations is that they are lightweight, don’t let air bubbles form and dry quickly.

NO MORE THAN TWO

Your fingers need to rest for the horny layer of nail to regenerate! Some of us have become polishaholic and have a subscription to the manicure and pedicure salon service. It’s best to reduce the amount of time your nails are polished to keep them at their healthiest. Two services per month is the limit.