Care of Your Nails

Quick and easy tips :
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.
Apply nail varnish remover before doing your nails even if don’t need to remove any old polish, it prepares the nails by removing any grease so that your polish will last longer.

When you are in a rush:
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.


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.

After Polishing? :
After you've finished your polish application, don't stop there. Now is the perfect time to give yourself a hand massage. Use a rich hand cream and slather it on using circular movements until it is absorbed. Don't forget that our hands are constantly exposed and need constant attention.

Beauty Recipe For Soft Hands :
1/4 cup sugar
enough lemon juice to make a paste.
Combine the sugar and juice and then scoop a small amount into your hand. Massage for a minute or so and then rinse hands with warm water. Hands will feel velvety smooth. While still damp, slather on hand cream.
Sugar paste can be stored in the refrigerator and used when required.

Best Time To Moisturize Your Hands :
One of the best times to moisturize your hands is right after your bath. Your hands are more receptive at this time as the pores are open and will readily absorb the cream/lotion.

Color of Your Nails :
Did you know that the color of your nails can indicate health problems? If your nails are:
1. half pink and half white... it could indicate kidney failure
2. yellow... could point to diabetes, fungal infection or even heart disease
3. black flecks... an injury to the nail or a blood clotting disorder
4. black or blue spots... an injury to the nail
5. green... fungal or bacterial infection
6. white... anemia
7. white spots... trauma to the nail bed.

Enemies of Your Nails :
Sun, chlorine and harsh cleaning products can make your nails brittle. Get into the habit of using a sunblock when outside and gloves when you are inside. Always use a good moisturizer on your hands on a regular basis.

Enhancing Nail Growth :
Rub the fingernails from one hand across the other hand as if you were buffing them. Do this a few times a day for about 5 minutes to enhance nail growth. This is a form of reflexology.

Finger Massage :
Using four fingers from the opposite hand, start at the top of the finger and knead your way down to the tip of each finger. Feels wonderfully relaxing.

Foods That Will Help Your Nails :
Foods that are rich in iron, calcium, vitamin B and potassium are as good for your nails as they are for the rest of your body. They include soy products, celery, yogurt, eggs and seafood too.

Hand Massage :
To stimulate circulation, rub your palm over the back of the hand and repeat with other hand. This movement is very similiar to washing your hands and it does not only stimulate circulation, it also warms the hands.

Is This What Your Nails Are Craving? :
If your nails are weak, splitting, fragile etc, the problem could be traced back to an inadequate water intake. Most people don't drink nearly enough.

Keeping Your Hands Gorgeous :
Get accustomed to using rubber gloves whenever you do housework or a little gardening. It doesn't take very long to get a sunburn or a callus.

Nail Growth :
The speed of nail growth is increased if you enjoy a healthy diet. It's a proven fact. Illness however, can slow it down.

Nail Growth and Foods :
If you want faster growing nils, be sure that your diet is rich in Vitamins A, B-Complex, C, D, E and iron, calcium, zinc, sulfur, and the essential fatty acids.

Nail Polish Bottle Tips :

1. can be stored in the fridge.
2. can be thinned with a polish thinner. This is not polish remover.
3. coat the cap with a little cream to prevent sticking.

Nail Polish Remover :
Try to limit the use to as infrequently as possible. It is very drying to the nail and the skin surrounding it.

Nails and Dishwashing :
Try to get into the habit of using gloves and as an extra benefit, rub on a little handcream first. The heat from the hot water helps in the absorption process.

Polident For Your Nails? :
We have heard about whitening yellowed nails with the use of a polident tablet. Apparently soaking the nails for fifteen minutes in a warm water bath with one tablet once a week, will whiten them up.

Polish Remover Tips :
Moisten a cotton ball and press against the center of your nail for a few seconds and then pull it downward, away from the cuticle. Repeat until the entire nail is clean, repeating procedure on both sides of the nail.

Right Shape For Your Nails :
The classic oval shape is most flattering but it really depends on the shape of your fingers and hands.

Saving The Nails :
It is really easy to pick up some bad habits. The worst are using your nails as tools. A few years ago when phones had dials, it was a really hard on your nails but everyone did it. Luckily, punching in the numbers as long as you use the pads of your fingers is much easier on the nails. Start watching how you use your nails so that you can drop these habits.

Shaping The Nail :
File in one direction - from the corner to the center. Filing in all directions will only weaken the nails.

Slugs and Hand Care :
Chafing of the skin can be relieved with the slime of a slug. So, what do you do? Put the slug on the sore area of your hand and let it crawl around. Once the section has been slimed, you can then let the slug go!

Soft Hands :
Before you go to bed, lavish on the Vaseline and then pop on a pair of cotton gloves. Hands will be incredibly soft by morning.

Storing Nail Polish :
Don't store polish in a warm place as the polish will change consistency. But it is, a good idea to store it in the refrigerator.

The Corners of Your Nails :
The corner of your nails should never be filed. Doing so, will weaken the nail and you will find that they will break more easily as a result.

The Use of a Base Coat :
The use of a basecoat is important. It not only protects the nail but prevents the staining of the nail from brightly colored polishes. It will also help your polish to last longer.

Tiny Nails :
The size of your nails are inherited and there is little that you can do BUT, you can make them appear larger by filing them into an elongated oval. That means no squared off edges. Pale, frosty shades also help with this illusion by not drawing attention to the edges.

Uses For Empty Nail Polish Bottles :
Fill the clean bottle with vegetable oil and paint your nails and cuticles several times a day.

Vitamin A and Your Nails :
If your nails are constantly peeling, snapping or generally just not up to parr, look to your diet. It could be that there is an insufficient amount of Vitamin A in the foods you eat.

Water And Your Hands :
Get into the habit of wearing rubber gloves when you do any cleaning around the house. Cleaning agents can be extremely harsh on both nails and hands. The nails when exposed to water, swell and then shrink back as they dry. This contributes to brittle nails.

What Do Black Lines Mean? :
Black lines in your nails if you are Caucasian could signify malignant melanoma. Check with your doctor.

White Spots on the Nails :
If you have white spots appearing on your nails, they are more than likely, calcium deposites. They are usually caused by banging the nail surface.

Winter Nail Care :
This time of year, it is especially important to protect your nails. ALWAYS wear gloves outside ( I know that it can be a pain) and your favorite moisturizer too and don't forget the nails, cuticles and the hands while applying.

You Can Encourage Nail Growth :
All you have to do is massage your favorite cream into your cuticle area, the nail and the fingertips. This will soften the skin and as an added bonus, encourage your nails to grow. Do this as often as you like