Tips for beautiful nails

Tips for beautiful nails

Good looking, shiny nails are a dream for every one. A nail in good shape with a good colour nail polish by itself is an accessory that complements one’s elegance. Apart from this your nail is a clue to your general health. A nail which looks strong and shiny indicates that you are a healthy person. To make ones nail beautiful and good looking, regular maintenance is a must.
Here are some tips for maintaining beautiful nails:

• The most important thing about the proper care of ones hand is the shape of his/her nails and condition of hands. Manicure is the best treatment for keeping one’s finger nails beautiful. Coming to feet and toe nails, the best method is to undergo a pedicure treatment. For these procedures, you don’t have to visit your beautician every now and then. One can do manicure and pedicure easily at home without much effort. At least once in 15 days one has to under go these beauty treatments.
• For softening nails, apply hand cream on the nails and hands after cleaning them with a clean cloth. You can apply petroleum jelly on your nails to give it a shiny look.

• While applying nail polish, start by using a clean towel to remove excess oil or cream from your hands. Shape your nails then. Apply at least two coats of nail polish on the nails to get it an even look. If the shade of your nail polish is very light, then apply three coats. Apply the nail polish first in the center of the nail – from root to the end of the nail – and then sideways. Allow the nail polish to dry completely. You are ready with your pretty looking hands and beautiful nails.
  

Do’s and Don’ts on nail care

Do’s and Don’ts on nail care

Nails play an important role in the over all appearance and health of a person. Neatly kept nails will create a positive impression about a person in others. It is therefore very important that you keep your nails neat, tidy and attractive.

In order to maintain your nails clean and healthy, you should take care of the following things:

• Do not wear nail polish continuously for a long time: Continuous wearing of nail polish will destroy the natural look of your nail. You should always give enough time for your nail to breath. Wearing nail polish continuously will make your nail yellowish and dull looking. This will have a negative impact on the natural growth of your nails.
• Do not prick nail polish: Most of us have a habit of using sharp objects like knife and blade to remove nail polish. This should be avoided. Only use mild polish removers to remove nail polish.
• Do not use polish removers frequently: A Polish remover usually dries up the nails. Using polish removers regularly will adversely affect the natural texture of your skin. Its better not to use polish removers more than twice a week.
• Do not appear in public in chip nail polish: Appearing in public wearing chipped nail polish will create an impression among others that you have a shabby character. Apart from that it will affect your dressing also. Always remember that what makes your dressing complete is the shape and colour of your nail.
• Do not try to cut off cuticles: Cutting off cuticles is not a good habit. It will attract infections. Whenever you want to get rid of hardened cuticles, use good cuticle removers available in the market or just push it off after soaking your fingers.
• Wear gloves while washing dishes: Too much exposure to water will make your hands and nails dry. Make it a habit to wear rubber gloves while dealing with detergents or detergent based soaps.
• Do not use your nails as a tool: Many of us abuse our nails by using it as a tool to pick up or pull out things. A habit of using nails as a tool will toil the nails.
• Do not grow your nails too long: If you have long nails, more are the chances for accumulation of bacteria and dirt under it. When we use hands to eat it is easy to transfer these impurities and micro organisms directly to mouth. Ultimately this may lead to serious infections. So always keep your nails short and clean.
• Do not use hot water for soaking hands and feet: Use only lukewarm water while undergoing manicure and pedicure.
• Stop the habit of biting nails: By biting your nails, you are directly transferring bacteria to your mouth. Further, too much biting of nails will expose the tender skin under nail areas and this may lead to infections to this area.
• Use only standard manicure and pedicure tools to clean your nails: Using substandard objects to clean nails will have an adverse effect on it.
• Do not use heating pads on your feet
• Never use undersized shoes: Use of undersized shoes can lead to a number of nagging nail disorders
• Do not dig the sides of your nails while cleaning it: To keep your nails healthy and beautiful, you should develop a habit of doing certain things without fail. Develop as a habit to do the following things to make your nails healthy and attractive.
• Regular cleaning of nails: Do not forget to give special attention to your nails while washing your hands for its easy to accumulate bacteria under nail areas. If possible always use lukewarm water to wash your hands and nails.
• Use nail brush to clean your nails: A plain regular washing of hands cannot remove dirt from the nails. Use a nail brush for this purpose.
• Routine manicure and pedicure: To keep one’s finger and toe nails healthy and shiny, develop a habit of undergoing manicure and pedicure on a regular basis. Doing so at least once in two weeks definitely will improve quality of your nail.
• Healthy diet: It is a must to follow a healthy, protein rich diet to maintain healthy and beautiful nails. Include fresh fruits, raw vegetables, milk, fish and other foods enriched with vitamin A, B5 and B12 also.
• Apply moisturizers on your nails regularly: Nail absorbs moisture faster than skin and will lose the same faster than skin does. So always remember to apply more moisturizing creams and lotions around the nails. Apply petroleum jelly on your nails before you go to bed.
• Consult a medical practitioner when nails show discoloration, crack, redness or swelling: Nails colour is a pointer to your general health. The discoloration of nails may be an indication of serious diseases. So consult a doctor in case of discoloration of nails.
• Neatly trim your toe nails: Comparing to finger nails toe nails are more exposed to dirt and pollutants. Long grown toe nails will collect more dirt in it. Ultimately this may lead to infections and even falling off of nails.
• Wear only soft socks: Take care of wearing good quality soft socks only. Cottons should be preferred over nylons as cotton socks allow your feet to breathe.

Nail care - Myths and Facts

Nail care - Myths and Facts

There exist a lot of myths regarding the functions and maintenance of nails. To maintain one’s nails in good condition one should have awareness about the true functions of nails. Blindly following the existing myths regarding care to nails invite unnecessary trouble and complications.

Here are some myths and realities in connection with the maintenance and functions of nails.

• Nail polish and nail enamel will protect and make nails strong.

This is not true. The fact is that nail polish and nail enamels can do nothing to enhance the quality of your nail. Instead continuous wearing of nail polish and nail enamel may destroy the natural texture of one’s nail. It is advisable to leave your nails without nail polish at least for a week every month to enable it to breath.

• Eating gelatin and drinking milk will help you to avoid splitting of top layer of nails

This is also a false belief. The nails are actually made of hard protein known as keratin. Drinking of milk may help you to strengthen your nail by providing calcium to your body. But splitting of top layers of nails has nothing to do with calcium deficiency.

• Hand cream is enough for nails

The fact is that nails absorb moisture faster than skin and also it dries up speedily. So nails require creams rich in moisturizers and frequent application is necessary when compared to skin.

• It is healthy to cut cuticles often

Contrary to this belief, cutting of cuticles will not do any good for the nails. In stead it will make the finger nails as well as toe nails more prone to infections. One can remove cuticles by using cuticle removers and not by actually cutting the cuticles.

• All beauty saloons are safe places to do nails treatments

This also seems to be a myth. Undergoing nail treatments like manicure and pedicure in a beauty parlor that do not follow strict hygiene standards will not be safe. Before you go to a beauty parlor ensure that they are sterilizing all the metal instruments used for treatment and that they are using quality products to treat your nails.

• Dark nail colours cause discoloration of nails

This belief also is not true. Dark nail colours never cause discoloration of nails.

Repairing broken nails

Repairing broken nails

Breaking of finger nails is a common phenomenon among women. This is because hey often grow their finger nails long and do the house chores with that. Hands with uneven broken nails often look ugly. Maintenance of long nails without breaking may not be possible always. It is in these circumstances that methods to repair broken nails were developed by beauticians.

Often small cracks or breaks to the nails can be rectified by smoothing the uneven edge by using and emery board. It is therefore good to have an emery board with you while traveling.

The procedure to be adopted to repair a broken nail depends on weather your nails are natural or artificial. If your nails are artificial, the broken nail can be removed and replaced by a new one.

• Tips to repair natural nails

If your nails are natural and it tears off by snagging with some object, it is better to file your nail till the point of tear. Even if only a part of the nail is torn off, it is advisable to file your nail evenly rather than leaving the other portion intact.

If your nail breaks at the base, file the nail up to the point it touches your skin. Allow your nail to grow as such and continue trimming regularly at the point it touches your skin until you reach the point of tear.

In case of a break at the base, you can also use a good nail glue to hold the broken parts of the nail together till such time the nail grows and you are able to file off the broken parts.

A broken nail can be repaired by using a nail repair kit.

• Method of using a nail repair kit

A nail repair kit often consists of an adhesive material which can hold the natural nail together, a cuticle stick, a buffing board to remove excess adhesive apply to the broken nail, an a buffing block to remove excess shine from the nail due to the presence of the adhesive material.

Apply adhesive material directly on the crack using the cuticles stick. Allow the material to dry out. Remove excess adhesive material if any using the buffing board. Remove excess shine using the buffing block. After repair, you may apply a good coat of nail polish so that the repair done to your nail is not visible at all.

It should however be noted that repairing of nail using a nail repair kit is not a permanent solution for breakage of your nails. It may temporarily help you to avoid embarrassment while attending a party or hanging out in public. Ultimately you will have to file of the broken part of the nail when your nail grows sufficiently long for filing.

• Tips to repair artificial nails

In case you are using an artificial nail, you can either replaced with a new one or repair it. It is better to repair your artificial nail by removing it from your finger. Bond the cracked edges of the nail using glue and allow it to dry. If a patch is required to repair the nail, glue the patch evenly on the nail and allow it to dry. Re-fix the artificial nail on your finger and smoothen it using a buffing board. Apply appropriate nail polish to cover the repair.

Nail care kits

Nail care kits

Proper nail care includes its protection, beautification and repair. Nails are made of a protein called keratin. In order to have strong healthy nails, basically you have to take a protein rich diet. In order to have healthy nails, one should ensure proper blood circulation to the finger tips. Massaging your hands and nails using quality moisturizing creams or lotions will help you to maintain good blood circulation to your finger tips.
You should keep your nails clean and for the purpose you have to trim and shape your finger nails. To add glamour to your nails, you may have to apply various cosmetics to it as per the prevailing fashion trends.
Use of your hands for various purposes may result in developing cracks and breaks on nails. In such circumstances you may have to repair your nails. An ideal nail care kit should contain such ingredients that would help you to protect, beautify and repair your nails as and when necessary.

• Stainless steel nail scissors

You should have stainless nail scissors for trimming your finger nails and toe nails.

• Stainless steal nail clippers

A stainless steel nail clipper set for finger nails and toe nails for fine trimming.

• Nail files

Your kit should contain a nail file for shaping your nails without damaging the nail surface. Separate nail files should be used for finger nails and toe nails.

• Cuticle nipper

A cuticle nipper is a must in a nail care kit which will help you to trim the cuticle. It is better to use a cuticle nipper with large cutting surface as it will help you to cut your cuticle with fewer strokes.

• Nail brush

Nail brush is used to remove dirt from the under portion of your nails.
Coming to the protection of nails, your nail care kit should ideally contain a nail strengthener to strengthen the nails, a calcium nail supplement, a nail and cuticle moisturizer and some quality product to keep your nails hydrated. These basic elements are highly essential to keep your nails healthy and strong.

As far as nail repair is concerned, you should basically have an adhesive or nail bond which will help you to bond your nails in cases of cracks or breaks occurring on nails. The kit should contain a cuticle stick to apply the adhesive to the crack, a buffing board to remove excess of adhesive and a buffing block to remove excess shine.

In order to add glamour to your nails, you should essentially have various colouring materials like nail polish and materials like nail polish remover to remove the same. Always wash your hands thoroughly with special attention to nails after work. Pat your hands and nails dry after wash with a clean soft towel. Liberally apply, moisturizing creams on your hands.

As far as toe nails are concerned, always use quality footwear while working outside. Try to avoid direct contact of nails with dirt. Clean your toe nails while at home and try to be bare footed while resting.

Nail care products – Overview

Nail care products – Overview

The products that help to enhance the beauty, health as well as appearance of the nails have a long history. In the beginning of 19th century women liked nails in almond shape and used chamois cloths to buff their nails and also used perfumed red oil to give it a different colour.

The orange wood stick introduced by Dr. Sitts is the first known scientific nail care product. Before this metal instrument, scissors and acids were used as tools for manicure and pedicure.

In the beginning of 20th century women started using metal files to file their nails. Creams were used to massage hands and nails. A sort of glossy varnish made available in the market became popular among women by this time. This can be considered as the first nail polish.

Even today, nail polish is the most popular nail care product available in the market. The question as to whether it is a nail care product or a nail beauty enhancing product is yet to be resolved. However the fact remains that nail polish provides a minimum protection to your nails. At the same time continuous wearing of nail polish is not advisable as it prevents your nail from breathing and does alter the natural texture of your nail.
The main function of nail care products are to keep one’s hands clean and good looking. Countless nail care products are now available in market claiming to be the best in making your nail beautiful and healthy. The most commonly used nail care products are the following:

• Nail polish

It is the first thing that comes to one’s mind when we think of nail beautification. Nail polish is available in market in different colours and shades. Cost of this nail care product is totally dependent on the company that manufactures the product.

• Nail polish removers

Use of nail polish necessitates the use of nail polish remover also. As the very name indicates polish removers are used to remove nail polish from nails. Frequent use of nail polish is not recommendable. Nail polish removers have a tendency to dry at the skin and nails. Better not to use nail polish removers more than twice a week. Also try to avoid use of acetone based nail polish removers.

• Cuticle creams

Cuticle removers are essential for those who undergo a manicure process. This nail care product is very helpful in removing hardened cuticles. The habit of cutting of cuticles may invite serious infections to the skin around the nails. Use of cuticle creams is helpful to avoid the situation.

• Nail whiteners

These products help to give a shiny white color to dull coloured nails. Nails usually become yellowish if you wear nail polish for a long time.

• Nail files

Nail files are commonly used to file nail to shape and them.

• Nail strengtheners

Nail strengtheners are developed with an intention to correct your nail problems. These products are helpful to those who are suffering from brittle, weak and fragile nails. Nail strengthening agents are usually the nail polishes itself that are enriched with natural proteins and vitamins that are meant to make brittle nails to grow fast and strong. Nails strengtheners include a combination of basic nail coat and nail polish. Nail strengtheners can be classified as problem nail products, weak nail products, peeling nail products, brittle nail products etc.

• Nail enhancers

Apart from nail strengthening products, nail enhancers that are specially designed to enhance the nails are also available in the market. Acrylic nail enhancer is an example for this.

• Anti fungal cream

This product is helpful to keep nails away from fungal infections and to protect nails affected by fungal infection. Different brands of anti fungal creams are available in the market. These creams are helpful to keep away germs from nails and the skin around the nails. It is also helpful to prevent spreading of infection to other nails. The most common ingredient of an anti fungal cream is Benzalkonium Chloride or Tea tree oil.

Bridal nail care

Bridal nail care

Nail art is the most modern way of nail beautification. The fashion world gave up the old traditional way of colouring nails by using single toned nail enamel. The trend now is to paint the nails in catchy designs using vibrant colours and even by sticking stones, beads, tattoos etc on it.

A bride has to pay extra attention to her nails as it can be noticed by every one who wants to see her wedding ring. So it is a must that she should maintain beautiful fingers as well as nails.

One cannot acquire beautiful nails in one or two days. It is not a one day magic. It requires routine maintenance to make your nails look healthy, beautiful and attractive to others.

To keep nails good looking a bride has to undergo regular manicure treatment. For that she can seek the assistance of a beautician or opt for doing it at home simply without spending much money on that.

• Wash your hands giving special care to nails by using lukewarm water mixed with a few drops of mild liquid soap or shampoo.
• Let your hands remain in water for fifteen minutes and there after gently remove dirt particles by using a soft hand brush.
• If you feel that cuticles around the nails are harder, just push it off without cutting cuticles by using a cuticle remover.
• It is recommendable to use cuticle removing creams to remove cuticles, if possible.
• File nails if needed by using a nail file.
• Apply moisturizing cream or lotion to retain the lost moisture. While doing so give extra care to the areas around nails as the nails tend to absorb more moisture than the skin.

Take effort to continue this process till the day of your wedding. It would be better if you are able to begin this treatment at least a month before your wedding date.

If you are intending to grow your nails long for your wedding day you may have to adopt some nail growth techniques to avoid breaking off or splitting off of your nails.

• What is more important is to take a healthy diet enriched with proteins, vitamins and other essential nutrients. Include lot of raw vegetables, fruits, milk and fish in your daily diet.
• Drink plenty of water.
• A little finger nail exercise will also be helpful. For that simply rub the finger nails of both hands against each other for five to ten minuets. This exercise will be helpful in increasing level of blood circulation.
• Avoid constant contact with water by using rubber gloves while washing dishes or using detergents to save your nails from breaking.
• If you are intending to use acrylic or artificial nails on your wedding day pay an early visit to your beautician to check weather these artificial nails will suit you or not.
• Though a bit expensive comparing to ordinary manicure, considering the importance of your wedding day, you can even opt for a French manicure. It will give your nails a clean and natural look.
• Leave your nails without applying any nail polish for a week or two so that your nails could regain its natural texture.

When you start to plan your costumes think about your nail colour also. A colour of your nail should go in tune with the colour of your wedding dress and jewelry. Try to give your self a unique look.

Decorating nails with the help of a nail technician is the most modern trend in nail beautification. A bride who likes to go for nail art should plan the design of nails, the colours to be applied and the objects to be used to decorate the nails by consulting a nail technician at least one week prior to the wedding.

Various steps of pedicure

Various steps of pedicure

• Remove old nail polish using a mild nail polish remover. To avoid excessive drying after the use of remover, you can mix a few drops of vegetable oil in the nail polish remover.
• File your nails using an emery board.
• Dip your feet in shampoo mixed lukewarm water for about ten minuets.
• Use a tooth brush (should not be a used one) to clean nails and feet
• Clear all the dead cells by using pumice stone
• Remove dead skin cells from heels with help of metallic feet scrubber. It will give your heels a smooth pinkish look.
• Take your feet out of water and pat it dry using a soft towel.
• Apply the cream on the nails and their sides to soften them up. You can use petroleum jelly for this purpose.
• Now take a nail shaper and shape the nails. Remove dirt deposits inside the nail without digging it.
• Remove dirt particles from the corners of the nail with the help of a pin nail scrubber.
• Massage the lower part of your feet using cream to give it a smooth finish.
• In the same way apply cream on the upper part of the feet also.

Undergoing the above feet care programme will make you feel refreshed and relaxed. It will also give you a charged feeling and sense of self confidence.

Care for your feet and toe nails at home (Pedicure)

Care for your feet and toe nails at home (Pedicure)

A routine care of the feet and toe nails at least once in two weeks would be helpful to keep them healthy and good looking. Diabetes patients should undergo a routine feet care programme without fail.

Things needed for routine feet and toe nails care are:

• Round shaped deep basin or utensil to soak feet.
• Emery board
• A few drops of shampoo or mild liquid soap
• A tooth brush
• A pumice stone
• A metallic foot feet scrubber
• Cream
• A nail shaper

Various stages of manicure

Various stages of manicure

• At first remove your nail polish using a nail polish remover. You can mix a few drops of oil to avoid excessive drying of your nails. Never use sharp objects like blade or knife to scrap off nail polish from your nail.
• With the help of an emery board file your nails properly.
• Take enough lukewarm water in a basin to soak your hands. Add a few drops of mild shampoo to it. Soak your hands in this for about fifteen to twenty minuets. Take care that the water is not too hot.
• Softly brush the nails using a soft nail brush. While doing so extra attention should be paid to the corners of the nails and if your nails are long, to under nail areas also.
• With the help of pumice stone rub off dead cells from your hand.
• Use a flat headed dead skin remover to scrub the nails. This will make your nails smooth looking and beautiful.
• To give a beautiful shape to your nails, remove dead skin from the corners of the nails.
• Use a fresh clean soft towel to wipe off water from your hand.
• To soften your nails and hands, apply hand cream on your nails and hands liberally. Petroleum jelly can also be used around the nails to make them soft and beautiful.
• Now give your hands and nails a soft massage paying more attention to the joints of fingers.
• Let the skin absorb the cream.

Caring for nails at home

Caring for nails at home

Attractive beautiful nails are a dream for every woman. Cleanliness and health of one’s nail are pointers to one’s character and attitude towards personal hygiene. They reflect one’s personality as well as general health. Beautifully made up nails compliment your dressing. Appearing in public wearing patchy nail polish will destroy your total appearance. Apart from this, a total neglect of your nails may ultimately lead you to serious infections.

If you can spare a few minutes daily for your nails, fingers and toes, you can make your nails good looking and attractive without wasting much money and effort. Here are some tips for a routine nail care programme at home.

The best method to keep one’s finger nails beautiful is to manicure them regularly. As far as toe nails are concerned, pedicure is the simplest way to keep them attractive. It is easy to perform manicure at home. It will not take much time. The following are the tools required for a simple manicure:

• A round shaped basin to soak your hand
• A few drops of mild shampoo
• Emery board
• A few drops of almond oil ( any vegetable oil can also do)
• A pumice stone
• A soft nail brush
• A flat headed dead skin remover
• Moisturizer
• Nail polish remover