What to do about brittle nails
The most common nail wreckers are harsh detergents and water, which can stress nail fibers. So be sure to put rubber gloves on while you clean or do dishes.
Also, avoid using perfume lotions that usually contain alcohol if your nails are brittle. It will only make your nails worse.
It may be possible that your calcium intake is low, as well.
How To Give Yourself A Manicure
Whether you prefer your nails to be long or short, they can still look stunning with a little know-how.
1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Using a double-sided emery board, file nails using a gentle stroke. Avoid corners of your nails as this can weaken them.
3. Begin to shape your nails. The most popular shape to use is oval, but choose what is most suited to your hand and finger shape.
4. Check to see how well you have done. Run your nails over an old pair of pantyhose. Your nails should not snag the hose.
5. Apply a softener to your cuticles. Allow to site for a minute or so.
6.Transfer hands to a bowl of warm water and soak for an additional few minutes.
7. Gently push back the cuticles. This should not be painful. If hangnails are present, carefully clip them.
8. Apply hand lotion and begin to massage the palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand. This will help to circulate the blood. Work your way over the remainder of the hand and then repeat giving equal time to the other hand.
9. Before color is applied to nails, they must be cleaned and the easiest way to do this is with an orange stick that has been wrapped with cotton. Dip into nail polish remover and then rub over the surface of the nail. Check the nail for any creamy residue. When none remains, your nails will be ready for polishing.
10. Time for color. Pick up a small amount of polish on your brush and paint one stroke down the center of your nail. Your brush should hold just enough color to accomplish this. Stroke the sides of the nail and you are done. The nail should be completely colored in three strokes. Allow to set for a minute or so before applying the second coat.
11. Wait until polish is set (dry to the touch) and then apply the top coat. Don't skip this step as it not only adds life to your manicure, it will protect your nails as well.
12. Sanitize all of your equipment with alcohol and when they are dry, store them away until the next time - maybe a French manicure.
Tips:
Nail polish can be stored in the fridge.
If your nail polish is too thick, try thinning with a polish thinner.
To prevent the cap from sticking, coat it with a little Vaseline to prevent this from happening.
Express Nails
How To Do Your Nails Fast
When you are in a rush, decisions have to be made. Prioritize. Do you shape or polish? Do you quick-dry or go the long, slow route? New formulas allow for snap decisions:
Speed-dry enamels are worthy of their name (you can open mail, search for keys, or put on your tightest long-sleeved shirt within seconds), but there's a downside: "As fast as they dry, that's as fast they chip," insists manicurist Elisa Ferri, so save them for emergencies. Eke a few extra days out of a fast-dry manicure by doing a daily touch-up with a quick-drying coat.
In the other corner, there are strong, chip-resistant formulas - the torttoise of the polish race. To pick up the pace of these tougher enamels, like L'Oreal Shock Proof, carefully submerge freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds to harden still-groopy polish.
Light or sheer shades are best for hasty manicures, Ferri says. "You can even get away with just a wide stripe down the center" rather than painstakingly painting the entire nail.
If a manicure is beyond the repair of a topcoat or two, face facts and call in the remover. You can keep single-use packets of nail polish remover (Cutex and Get Fresh make them) on hand so you can strip away color on the run.
When there is no time for polish, just clean underneath the nails, rub on a buffing cream, and shine them with a chamois buffer.
Beautiful Nails Made Easy
Beautiful Nails Made Easy
By Linda Buttle
Everyone wants nails to be proud of so if yours are less than perfect here are a few quick tips to get them in great condition in no time. Stunning nails
Linda Buttle is a freelance journalist specialising in beauty, health and fitness for both magazines and websites. She is currently available for commissions. Further details
Nutritional Steps to Healthy Nails
Nutritional Steps to Healthy Nails
By Corinna Richards
What you eat will reflect on the health of your nails, too.
Here are the guidelines to follow for improving the health of your nails:
Eat well and your whole body will be better, healthier, more beautiful!
Long Nails
About Long Nails
Long nails on women are considered sexy by many people, but there is caution. According to a study done by Shelly McNeil, M.D., an infectious-disease specialist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, nails longer than three centimeters (just a bit over one inch) are five times more likely than trimmed nails to carry the pesky pathogens that cause staph and yeast infections.
To be on the safe side, Dr. McNeil warns that you need to be diligent about washing your hands (especially after contact with such germ-prone items as doorknobs, public toilets and gym equipment). You also might want to carry an alcohol-based hand gel that can be used to disinfect your hands when soap and water aren't available.
Note: Acrylics and other falsies can carry more harmful bacteria and are more difficult to disinfect.
Stylish Nails
Quick and Easy Designs for Stylish Nails
by Kathryn D'Imperio
Whether you have a hot date or a job interview, a wedding or a casual night out at the bar, get creative and try some new styles for your nail painting needs. Follow the following quick and easy tips to achieve a glamorous look in only minutes!
Basic Hues:
Perhaps the simplest style of them all is the basic solid color manicure. For open-toed shoes, be sure to apply a coat of the same color to your tootsies to accent your outfit and make you feel even more stylish and sexy. Basic styles in neutral and mild tones work very well for first impressions. Save the black and silver for future engagements.
Choose a color that complements the clothing you intend to wear. If the outfit is patterned, pick a shade that appears within the design a bit less than the other colors and use that same shade of nail polish to emphasize that hue.
For an even more fashionable look, do your nails in the solid color and allow them to dry completely. When they are finished drying, use a thin brush or a toothpick with a different color and trace a diagonal line going the same way on each nail. Try to make them as uniform as possible, and as you become more and more adept at painting extra designs, create your own styles for fun.
School Spirited:
If you are still in school or attending college, an exclamation of school pride would wear well on your nails by painting them in your school colors. You can do this in one of many ways:
A Girl�s Night Out Styles:
Attract some attention with a wild and crazy style � be it zebra stripes, metallic glints or otherwise. Perfect for a night to the clubs or a date out on the town.
Do a quick version of a French manicure by painting the base coat of your nails in a neutral tone, such as a salmon color. With a white hue, once dry, paint the tips of your nails carefully and as uniformly as possible. This works best if you are able to grow your nails out a bit so you can use your natural nails� anatomy as a guide.
Glitter and glamour � Choose a base color to use on all of your nails to complement your outfit. Allow that coat to dry � paint another coat if necessary. Once the nails are smudge-proof, take a glass coat of clear gloss or a sparkle coat that matches the chosen color and add your own special touches. Dark blue and black look very nice with silver glitter, red with gold glitter, though the combination possibilities are endless. These glittery styles may complement wedding apparel, semi-formalwear and even casual attire.
To save even more time, apply a clear coat to your nails each day to protect the polish from chipping. Experiment with decals and nail transfers if you are not up for designing your own artistic themes. Be creative, do not get discouraged and remember, the more practice you get, the easier it will become each time you try a new style!
Nail Designs
There�s never been a better time to renew and revamp your image. For a fun, flirty and attractive look that takes only a few moments to an hour to achieve, make a conscious effort to keep your nails in tip-top shape with new nail designs this season.
Metallics are all the rage this year, and spring is a great season to sport a trendy new look. For the best impact, keep your nails trimmed relatively short and show off a splashy metallic look. Silvers, greens, blues, blacks � anything sparkly goes.
Greens are especially hot this year, so apply a pretty green hue to get in on the latest color craze. Take an extra step toward creativity and find a color that matches your car�s shiny coat!
For a lovely feminine look, consider a French manicure. Beautiful pale pink nails with emphasized white tips accentuate your fingertips and complement any outfit, swimsuit or occasion. For a flawless manicure, head over to the salon and get your nails done, either naturally or with acrylics.
If you find yourself to be a little bit handy with nail polish or crafty in general, stop at your local drugstore or beauty shop and look for a French manicure kit. Many kits include little sticky strips to help you section off which parts of your nails will receive the white tips and white parts will remain pink. French manicures are still in style and many men find them sexy. Why not go for the girlie look?
It�s likely that pastel colors will never go out of style. Find a shimmery lilac or lavender, a dainty pink, peach or rose, or try other pale pastel shades.
For an extra creative touch, apply an iridescent, glossy, pearly or glittery topcoat. Or, for a modern twist, introduce a delicate white on your tips and enjoy a unique new French manicure.
For a no-fail look no matter what your personal style or wardrobe options, consider a standby pink or red. Softer pinks and reds seem to be making a strong appearance on nails, blending nicely with all skin tones, nail shapes and clothing color choices.
Reds and pinks tend to be classics in the world of lips and fingertips, so even if you can�t find a trendy look for your nails, you can stay in style with a tried-and-true color scheme. To get a little daring, gradually tone down your colors until you are moving from fire engine red and lollypop pink to paler shades of carnation, brick and maybe even peach!
If you can�t settle on a particular color, pattern or style for your nails, take a trip to the store and browse the shelves for ideas. You may spot a must-have color or an adorable set of adornments and decals. Get a little wild, a little crazy and a little unique this season. Don�t be afraid to express yourself and remember that healthy nails are important!
