Keeping your hands and cuticles moisturized is key when it comes to having soft hands and healthy, strong nails.
Here are a few tips to help you keep your nails perfect:
- Always dry your hands thoroughly when you wash them
- Use a moisturizing hand lotion regularly and massage it well into the skin, especially round the cuticles (tutorial further down this blog)
- Use a non-acetone nail polish remover but don't use it more than once a week as this will strip and weaken the nails
- Remember not to file your nails more than necessary and always work in one direction to avoid weakening the nails.
You don't have to visit a salon to have gorgeous pampered nails. it takes just a few minutes to perform a basic mini-manicure at home.Try to do the following once a month to keep your nails in top condition:
Massage the skin around the nail using a good cuticle cream, then soak the fingers in warm water with a soap free cleanser for 1-2 minutes. Then dry your hands thoroughly but keep the water for later on.
By using a buffing block it takes off the top layer of your nails and makes them smooth, I wouldn't advise doing this more than once a month but if your nails are naturally weak then don't use one at all
Each buffing block is different but by following the instructions your nails will be left super soft and shiny.
As I have weak nails I never do this on my nails I use it for when I give other people manicures.
In my collection I have a number of different nail hardeners, strengtheners and basecoats. These three are a collection of my favorites. The peeling and brittleness solver is for people with weak nails like me.
The nail strengthener from Avon - Strong Results is again mainly for weak nails but will help any one and give your nails just that bit of nourishment lost when using nail polish remover.
This one if my favorite, as you can see it is a base coat, top coat and nail hardener all in one, I have mentioned it in many many blogs and this product just works wonders.
Wrap the end of an orange stick with cotton wool. Dip it in the warm water you used earlier and gently rub the edges of the nail plate to remove any dead cuticle.
Dry the hands thoroughly and working in one direction shape your nails into rounded, square or squoval tips, using a nail file. Use small strokes in only one direction. never use an emery board across the surface of the nail.
Applying a hand lotion is important in cold winters and any other time of the year, this one is one of my favorites at the moment, the following is how I apply my hand lotion and if applying it to another then it is a good way to finish off a manicure everyone loves a hand massage.
There was no easy way for me to show you this so I got a bit creative with paint (on the computer I didn't actually paint my hand) . To start with just place the cream on the back of your hand around the size of the pea.
Using the thumb of the other hand spread it around and up to each finger and around the back of the hand, if you are doing it on some one else use both thumbs and create small circles rubbing softly.
On each finger bring up the cream and using the palm of the other hand rub up and down the finger repeat on all.
Rub around the cuticle on each finger, use the pad of a finger to rub it in and if you have long nails keep them out the way as it can scratch. Repeat on all fingers.
Turn the hand over and place another pea sized amount on the palm, spread like before using your thumbs.
Spread the cream again using your thumb again.
Rub the cream into the pads of your fingers then rub your hand together until any excess cream is rubbed and absorbed into to skin. If massaging some one else then be create vary between using your thumbs and the palm of your hands.
That's it, a simple routine that doesn't take very long at all and will leave your nails healthy and nourished, perfect!
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