5 NAIL CARE TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Have nails that crack, split and break? Give a read to our solutions to get them back in ship-shape.
With the booming trend of nail art, one cannot let ragged cuticles and chipped nails paints hamper the look. Proper TLC is a must! Here’re 5 quick fixes to get those long and beautiful digits without any snags and breakage.
Filing: Yes, we all know we should file our nails after clipping them. But what you may be doing wrong is filing them backwards and forwards causing splits in the nails. Instead, use a one way stroking action and make sure you do not file the corners. Before you start filing make sure they are completely dry. Try using a glass file instead of metal one, Sephora Collection Crystal Nail File is one which you can try.
Polishing: Ideally one should not let the nail paint on for more than 5 days as the lacquer contains drying ingredients that strip moisture, making them weak. So, just like any other makeup, this too needs to get removed. While removing the paint off your nails, one should avoid acetone-based removers as they cause severe damage to the nail plate. They remove natural oils from your nails making them dry. Try acetone-free removers like Inglot Nail Enamel Remover and Colorbar Ultimate Nail Enamel Remover.
Sterilising tools: Your nail tools need as much attention as any of your makeup brushes do. The instruments should be meticulously cleaned and sterilised, and files should be replaced regularly to prevent bacteria and microbes from colonising.
Cuticle removal: Cuticles are the most ignored part of your hands, you may only think about them when you get a manicure. They need to be taken care of as they serve a purpose; to seal moisture and environmental germs out of the body. To keep that protection strong, do not cut your cuticles, even if it’s by a pro. Instead, ask your manicurist to push them back (or if you prefer to DIY, apply cuticle oil to each nail and use an orange stick to push them back yourself). We recommend Inglot Cuticle Oil or Sally Hansen Nail & Cuticle Oil. Even applying coconut oil with a few drops of lavender oil can be beneficial.
Peeling off your polish: Many of us have a nervous habit of either biting our nails or picking off the paint using another nail. But even if you can’t see the damage, picking off your polish can weaken your tips, because often the top layer of your nail comes off with the polish, making them thinner, weaker and more prone to peeling. Only stick to a remover for this purpose and try substituting another tactile activity, like chewing gum, doodling, or squeezing a stress ball to expel that nervous energy.
Expert consulted: Nail and beauty expert, Pammy Kaul.
