Showing posts with label nail care tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nail care tips. Show all posts

Monday, July 2, 2012

How To Do: Dip-Dye Nail Art...

There are so many new nail looks coming up this year and we love having an experiment with colors, techniques and finishes.

My only problem at the moment is choosing one color to use at a time - now, I've given up and I am using multiple colors in one manicure. Here we have such a simple way of achieving an exciting look and the good news is it's easy to do and doesn't have you sitting around for hours.
If you have quite long nails like mine and you want to show them off, one of the most effective ways to do so is by creating a dip-dye affect on the nail. Choosing two shades of the same color is currently in fashion!
So...

Chose two colors, I've used Red Herring purples for the manicure you see here. The colors are great and the pastel works so well with the glistening darker mauve. My only criticism is that they do take quite a while to dry, so have some spare time available if you're using this brand.

1. Start by adding the base color of your choice and applying this over the entire nail. Go over with another coat for a more lasting finish and to get rid of any translucent areas.

2. Wait for this to dry completely and move on to adding the second color to the tip of the nail.

3. Add as much or as little of this color onto the nail depending on how thick or thin you want the dip-dye to look.

4. I like to make my color quite noticeable but still make sure that the top color is less than half the length of the nail, otherwise it will be less of a dip effect and more half one-half other.

5. Don't worry about the line between the two being straight - the more natural it is in blending between the two colors the better it will look. Start stroking the varnish at different lengths down the nail to make it look like it's dripped a little.

It's all about giving the effect that this is cool, rustic and low maintenance.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Nail care tips and tricks

Everything you want to know about proper nail care. ...Here are very useful tips for hand and nails

Health can be determined by your nail color. To keep your nails healthy and beautiful you have to take proper care of your nails and hands as well. Also a manicure and pedicure on a monthly basis will be beneficial for you and for these treatments. Removal of all nail varnish every week and allowing nails for breathing are important. The use of a good nail strengthening cream as well as good quality nail products such as nail polish and nail polish remover is advisable for healthy nail growth. Good nail growth tips also include opting for a healthy diet. A low protein diet is believed to be one of the causes of slow nail growth. Foods rich in group B vitamins for nail growth are recommended.
There are a number of home remedies for nail growth. The best and simplest method to promote nail growth without any hassles is through a regular hand and foot massage, concentrating on the nail beds. After a bath, gently massage your fingers and toes with cream paying special attention to the tips.

• File your nails using a gentle stroke. Avoid corners of your nails.

• Always use a mild soap for washing your hands and finger nails.

• Shape your nails. The most popular shape to use is oval, but choose one that suites to your hand and finger shape.

• A proper cleansing is essential to keep the nails healthy and problem free. After coming from outside, wash your hands and feet properly with a mild body wash and then apply a moisturizing lotion.

• To harden soft nails, soak in warm olive oil for about 20 minutes on alternate days.

• Try to eat sulfur enriched vegetables like cauliflowers and cabbages. Drink lots of fruit juices and water.

• To clean stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak your nails in this liquid for a few minutes. Then, wash off with warm water and apply a hand moisturizer.

• In case you wear nail polish, make sure to give your nails a break from time to time.

• Coconut Oil & Castor Oil Nails can be made to shine by massaging coconut oil or warm castor oil on them.

• One of the most important parts of nail care is taking care of cuticles. A proper care of your cuticles help you avoid many nail related diseases.

• Drink fresh carrot juice daily, this is high in calcium and phosphorus and is excellent for strengthening nail.

• Dipping your nails in a mixture of cup of water with one tablespoon of lemon juice is wanted before a nail manicure.

Publications: Febstore

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Nail care tips

Just like a flashy necklace or the right pair of earrings, if your nails look great, they can complement almost any look. But unsightly nails, on the other hand, can send the wrong impression. An error in shaping can cause your nails to chip, giving them a less than stellar appearance. Regardless of the color, an inexpert paint job can leave your nails looking like the face of the moon.

To help you get the look you want, no matter your fashion tastes, there are some tips that can help you pull off perfectly polished nails. We'll start by looking at the nail beneath the polish and then move into techniques that can help your nails look like you've just been to the spa -- even though you've done them on your own. Finally, we'll give you an integral tip that can make or break your nail masterpiece.
Let's start with keeping your nails healthy.

1: Don't Rush It
Putting the necessary time into your polishing project can mean better results. While you may not want to wait to add several coats of polish, taking it easy for a bit longer while your nails dry can provide a cleaner look. "Always apply a base coat for adhesion and to prevent staining of the color onto the nail," says Morgan.
Adding a top coat can take more time as well, but its benefits include locking in your polish color and helping to prevent chipping. There are even top coats that come with UV protection to reduce fading or discoloration of the polish.
Above all, don't rush the drying time. All your hard work could be spoiled by starting to use your hands too early, causing you to chip or smudge your polish.

2: Choose the Correct Coloring
From a pale pink to black, trends in nail polish color change almost seasonally, but tips for applying your color can be helpful regardless of the shade. First, be sure to adequately roll your nail polish bottle, (remembering to tighten the cap, of course). This will serve to adequately distribute the color. To avoid picking up globs of nail polish on your brush, scrape the brush along the inside of the bottle to remove the excess color.
When you're ready to apply the color, try to use three gliding strokes to fill in the entire nail.
"Apply three strokes [and] start in the middle, slightly applying pressure to the brush for even distribution," says Morgan.

3: Shape Accurately
For a beautiful nail canvas, you need to correctly shape your nails by cutting and filing before applying color. One of the most flattering shapes is a squared-off oval, or squoval.
When shaping your nails, start by clipping straight across to a manageable length of about 0.3 centimeters to 0.6 centimeters past the tip of your finger. To achieve the desired shape, file down the nails. Make sure that you file in one direction -- the direction the nails grow -- to prevent splitting.
Don't overdo it, though. "The less filing, the better," says Morgan.

4: Moisturize
While moisturizing is more of a preventive measure against dried out fingers and nails, it's an integral step to perfectly polished nails. "Cracked nails or nails that easily break could be due to dryness," says Larsen. "Moisturizing your nails could prevent cracking or breaking."
A good practice to keep your hands and fingers moisturized is to lotion after each time your hands come in contact with water, whether you're cleaning dishes, jumping in the shower or just washing your hands. At home, an occasional massage with an intensive hand moisturizer and an overnight respite in a pair of cotton gloves can hydrate your hands .
At the spa, you might want to try a hand microdermabrasion. This service can help to exfoliate your hands, allowing the moisturizers to penetrate more deeply into the surface .
Cuticles can be especially prone to dryness, so it's important to keep them moisturized. "Cuticle oil prevents hangnails," says Gina Morgan, senior nail instructor at the International School of Skin and Nail Care.

5: Practice Good Nutrition
Similar to building a house, creating beautiful nail art starts with a good foundation. "Like all parts of the body, healthy and beautiful nails are the result of good nutrition," says Marisa Moore, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Following a balanced diet with a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats and low-fat dairy is the best way to ensure nail growth and health."
While overall good nutrition contributes to health, there are some key areas of your diet to watch carefully when looking to promote healthy nails. "Protein and iron, a mineral, are important to nail health," says Joanne Larsen, registered and licensed dietitian and founder of Ask the Dietitian.
For protein sources, you can eat meat, poultry, fish and other sources such as soy, while iron can be found in oysters, lentils and iron-fortified cereals.
Along with protein and iron, think about biotin. "Biotin, a water soluble B vitamin, may help strengthen nails," says Moore. Biotin can be found in foods such as eggs, broccoli and fish.

Publications: Febstore

Monday, May 21, 2012

How to Blend Nail Tips

For some women, 10 long and flawless fingernails make them feel more feminine. However environmental and physical factors can cause nails to peel or chip. Fortunately, alternatives to perfect natural nails exist. Nail professionals apply artificial tips to the nails to lengthen them.

If you have patience and a steady hand you can apply your own tips. Blending the tip well is a critical step in application.

Significance
Blending the tip creates a natural-looking nail extension. It also creates a smooth base for the application of nail enhancements such as acrylic, silk, fiberglass or gel nails. Without properly blending the nail, a ridge forms where the product joins, and does not create the stable base needed for a long-lasting enhancement. Blending the nails becomes especially key when you intend to wear sheer or French manicure nail lacquer since an obvious seam detracts from the beauty.

Tools
Select a thin, fast-drying glue that dries clear and leaves no reside. Purchase a file to gently reduce the plastic material that forms the artificial tip. To make the job easier and faster, use a tip blender. It has acetone, which breaks down the plastic material of the nail tip. For the finishing touch, use a buffer to smooth the tip and make the transition to the natural nail seamless.

Techniques
Select a nail tips that fits snuggly between the sidewalls of the nail. Apply glue directly to the tip, using a small dot of fast-drying nail glue, allowing it to spread evenly on the tips, so you do not have air bubbles once you apply it to the natural nail plate. Place the tip at the top of the free edge of the nail plate and gently roll the tip onto the nail. Once the glue dies, apply the tip blender. Use a 180-grit file to thin the tip where it forms a joint with the natural nail. Buff the nail with a 240-grit buffing block to give the nail a smooth natural surface.

Considerations
Use a soft 240-grit file to remove the natural shine from the surface of the natural nail. A coarse file could disrupt the layers of the nail plate and cause air or contaminates to become trapped between the natural nail and the tip, resulting in the growth of mold or fungus. Dehydrate the natural nail with alcohol to remove the oils from the nail plate and improve adhesion of the tip to the nail.

Publications: Febstore

Friday, May 18, 2012

The French manicure is a timeless classic in the beauty world.

I can lift any outfit and instantly make you feel pretty, feminine and ready for any special occasion.

Increasingly, nail art is expanding with new colorful tricks and techniques being introduced, and we're not just talking glittery acrylics.

Nail wraps, crackle polishes and newspaper print nails are among the new wave of artist designs that are taking the beauty world by storm. And the best bit? You don't need to spend a fortune on having falsies put on to achieve the looks.

None of us have the luxury of having salon perfect nails, but if you want to achieve a quick and simple manicure, then here a quick step-by-step guide.

1. Apply a base coat to the nail and let it dry.

2. With white polish draw two small vertical lines at either side of the tip and draw a thin line along the tip of the nail. The two lines make it easier to keep the line even. A handy hint, keep the brush flat and make sure there is no excess on the nail to avoid dripping.

3. Once you have your basic line on each nail, go back and make it as dark and defined as you like.

4. When it has dried add a couple of coats to add color and pigment to the nail.

5. When dry, add a clear nail polish for extra shine and protection from chipping.

If you struggle to achieve a straight-ish line on the nail, either use paper tape or French manicure stickers for a rough guide.

Following on from the spring/summer season's love affair with color, it is so easy to use this classic style to change it up a bit with a twist.

Instead of using the traditional base coat pink and white tips why not go for something a little more colorful and daring.

You can combine any contrasting or complimentary colors you’d like and chose a different combination for each finger and really follow the block color trend.

Follow the same technique as the above, but empty out your collection of polishes and have fun creating your own personal manicure!

A little tip...my nails at the moment are red and bubblegum pink, but instead of a red body, pink tip I've gone a little different and drawn a diagonal line across from one top corner down the nail. You can make the line as fine or big as you’d like.

It's eye catching and is a great tip for shorter or longer nails.

Publications: Febstore

Friday, April 20, 2012

How to Give Yourself a Professional Style Manicure at Home

Professional manicures can be extremely expensive, but with a little time and patience, and the right products, you can manicure yourself at home and achieve a very professional look. I suggest products from Essie and Nailtiques to get a salon quality manicure from your house.

The first thing to do is to clean old nail polish off with a nail varnish remover, like Nailtiques' non-acetone remover. Put liquid on cotton pads to remove, and then wash your hands thoroughly to ensure there are no traces of this remover as this will affect your new polish.
File your nails with an emery board (not metal files) to remove any ragged edges and to leave your nails at a uniform length. Swipe the emery board in one direction only, do not 'saw' backwards and forwards across the top of your nail, as this will split the nail layers.

Put your fingertips to soak in a small bowl with warm water and a little dish washing soap: this will soften your cuticles while removing any excess oil which may impede good adherence of nail varnish.

Once the cuticles are softened, apply some cuticle cream and massage in gently. Use the tip of an orange stick with a thin layer of cotton wrapped around and push back gently on the cuticles. Rub gently in a circular motion to remove any dead cuticle skin, while pushing back healthy cuticle away from the nail. Wash off any remaining cream or oil, and repeat all with the other hand, leaving the first to dry.

Once both hands are prepared for polishing, starting with the driest of the two, begin with a base coat. A general-purpose base coat will protect your nails from absorbing dyes from the nail polish (which will leave your nails tinted slightly even after you've removed your polish) and help the nail varnish last longer. A real good one here is Essie's First Base Base Coat.

Nails which are dry, ridged or prone to splitting and peeling will need a special base coat for the problem, like Essie's Protein Base Coat or Nailltique's Protein Formula. Three strokes is enough to cover the nail, one on each side and then one up the center, always beginning at the cuticle.
Allow this to dry then add the first coat of your chosen color, again with only three strokes; one each side and one up the center. It is very important to allow each coat to dry thoroughly before continuing with the next. Three coats is optimum as this will achieve the closest to the colour that you picked from the chart. Essie has a very wide range of colors to choose from and their nail varnish contains no Formaldehyde, DBP or Toluene.

Finish the job with a good top coat from Essie: this will protect your polish and nails from chipping or damage.

The best way to test if each layer is dry is with the tip of your tongue. Touch the nail very gently with your tongue, and if you can taste the varnish it's not dry. If you spoil the surface of any coat, you need to go back and start again from the base coat up. Nailtiques' Cuticle and Hand Cream will keep both in excellent, soft condition between manicures.

If you follow these tips on how to give yourself a professional style manicure at home, you should be able to achieve a salon quality look to your nails. Nailtiques and Essie provide all the top quality nail care products that one could possibly need, and are available at excellent prices from febstore

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

How to Apply Nailtiques

Nailtiques is a line of nail care products that conditions and strengthens the nail. The Nailtiques Nail Protein formulas protect the nail from chipping, breaking and peeling while other products fortify brittle nails and soften cuticles. Human nails can easily become damaged through neglect and exposure to harsh chemicals like acetone. Nailtiques reverses existing damage and protects against future problems.

Instructions
1. Wash hands and remove all remnants of nail polish.
2. Apply a layer of the Nailtiques Nail Protein treatment on each nail. Give the treatment a few minutes to try. Use it alone or as a base coat before you apply your nail polish.
3. Massage the Nailtiques Cuticle and Skin Gel around the base of each nail to soften rough cuticles and dried skin. Use your finger or a Q-tip to rub in the gel.
4. Pull off some of the excess cotton from the Q-tip. Swab the Q-tip into the Nailtiques Nail Moisturizer and apply underneath your nail tips. Leave on overnight to allow it to absorb into the nail beds. This helps build flexible and strong tips.
5. Remove white spots on the surface of the nails by rubbing the Nailtiques Oil Therapy directly onto the nail.
6. Prolong the life and shine of your nail polish by applying about 2-3 drops of the Nailtiques Formula Fix over the polish. This is also used to thin out thickened nail protein. To use on thickened nails, apply 2-3 drops directly onto the nail.

Tips & Warnings
• Use the Nail Protein and Nail Moisturizer about three times a week for best results. Use all other products as needed depending on your nail condition. Nailtiques can also be used on the toes in a similar fashion.

Publications: Febstore

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Nail Care Tips

Your nails are a very important part of your hands and they too need to be well taken care of. Well-kept hands with neat, clean and healthy nails are a pleasure to behold. We can say that for your hands to look beautiful, your nails need to be strong and healthy. To achieve this, you need to undertake certain steps, such as cleaning your nails on a regular basis, treating the cuticles properly and keeping the nails well moisturized. Go through the hand nail care tips given below and know more on keeping your nails healthy and beautiful.

Nail Care Tips
• To harden soft nails, soak them in warm olive oil for about 20 minutes, on alternate days.
• To remove stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak your nails in this liquid for a few minutes. Then, wash off with warm water and apply a hand moisturizer.
• It is not a good idea to remove the cuticles from your nails, as it will make the nail susceptible to infection. Rather, make sure to use good quality cuticle oil and gently push back the cuticles, with the help of an orangewood stick.
• Try to stay away from acetone polish removers as much as you can and stick to the one that make use of acetate. Still, try not to use a polish remover more than once a week.
• In case you wear nail polish, make sure to give your nails a break from time to time. In other words leave them without polish for a few days, every now and then. Otherwise, they will develop an ugly, yellow tint.
• If you want to give a natural shine to your nails, just like the clear base coat, rub petroleum jelly on your nails and then buff them with a soft cloth.
• If you have brittle nails or split and dull nails, then increasing your consumption of Organic Silica, Vitamin B (especially B5) and MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) as it will surely help.
• Never ever resort to nail biting, as it is extremely destructive for the nails as well as the cuticles. If you are in the habit of biting your nails, stop as soon as possible.
• Whenever you wash your hands make sure to dry the nails properly and apply a hand cream or lotion, using it on the nails as well. This is because soap makes the nails dry and brittle.
• The best time to file your nails is when you are already wearing a polish. This will prevent splitting or breaking of nails.
• If you have brittle nails, it is advisable to wear nail polish or at least the clear base coat as much as you can.

Monday, April 9, 2012

3 Basic Nail Care Tips For Healthy Nails

Keep your nails strong, healthy and beautiful with these nail care tips.

Protect
The most important aspect in maintaining good looking nails is to protect them from damage. Fortunately, there are numerous ways for us to do this. One is to avoid submerging our nails in water for a long period. This can be very damaging as too much moisture can weaken the nails. The effect is splitting, breaking, and peeling nails due to overexposure to water.

Protect your nails from harsh chemicals as well. Most of the commercial products that we use contain chemicals that may be damaging to our nails. If possible, use only acetone-free nail polish removers as they are milder compared to acetone-based ones. But then again, limit your usage of nail polish remover as they can still dry out your nails.

Never use your nails as tools in opening containers, bottles, and cans. Avoid the habit of opening letters using your nails, too. Avoid scraping things off or prying things open with your nails. There are corresponding tools designed to do such things.

Polish
To make your nails a little more resistant to water, wear nail polish or a clear nail hardener. Nail polish application does play an important role in proper nail care. It not only acts as a fashion style and accessory but it also aids in providing a protective layer for your nails. You can settle with clear nail polish if you prefer the natural look. Go for chic colored nail polish or eye-catching nail art if you want your nails to be more noticeable.

But whichever you choose, there are some things that you should still consider. You still need to prepare your nail plate prior to polish application. Clean, trim, file and buff your nails to create a clean and smooth surface. Apply a base coat so the polish won’t stain your nails. Both base coat and top coat will lengthen the life of the polish on your nails, which means lengthening the days before your subject them to the harsh chemicals contained in nail polish remover.

In general, you should not subject your nails to manicure and pedicure more than once a week.

Prevent
To protect your nails from water, wear gloves when washing dishes, gardening, and doing other house chores. Use gloves as well when using bleach, solvents, and other cleaning products. Also, limit the amount of time that your hands are immersed in water. When removing nail polish, soak them in nail polish remover only in a few minutes.

Eat a healthy diet and go for foods rich in calcium and protein as they can help promote healthy and strong nails. Biotin, a substance in most dietary supplements, and Vitamin E contribute to healthy nails and hair as well. To keep the proper blood flow in your fingers, massage your nails with hand cream. Also, keep your nails at a considerable length to prevent getting caught and breaking.

Publications: Febstore

Friday, April 6, 2012

More Tips for better Nail Care: Common Questions

Why won't nails grow?
Unless you have some type of medical condition that prevents it, your nails are growing. On average, your nails grow about 1/8 of an inch per month. The reason why most people's nails don't seem to grow is because they break before they see results. Many people bite their nails, rip them off, others tend to shed or peel. The best way to see results is to start a healthy nail program with your nail technician.

Will artificial nails keep my nails from growing crooked?
If your nails have always grown a certain way, they will continue to grow that way forever or something changes your nail matrix (the "brain" of the nail). Nail enhancements can only "cover" your natural nail appearance, not change it.

What can you do about ridges in nails?
Actually, nothing. If you've always had them, you always will. If you never had them before and just started to notice them, one reason could be stress or simply the fact that you're getting older. As we get older the nails on our hands & toes become ridged. In order to get a smooth polish application just GENTLY buff the nail surface with a white block buffer, remove the dust; apply a ridge filler base coat, two coats of polish, and finally a topcoat.

How can I help my dry skin and cuticles?
Moisturize, Rehydrate, Oil and Lotion... any chance you get! Keep a good quality hand cream with you always. Whenever you wash your hands, apply it. Also, use a good quality cuticle oil and gently rub into your cuticles twice a day. For really chapped hands & feet I recommend a nice dip in paraffin wax.

Should cuticles and calluses be cut?
NO!! Never cut your cuticles or cut your calluses. These are your body’s armor. The cuticle protects the nails from infections, and the calluses give you shock absorbers. If you cut them, they will grow back thicker and harder, and possibly create an infection. The best way to care for your cuticles is to apply good quality cuticle oil and gently push them back with an orangewood stick. You may carefully trim any hangnails or for best results, schedule a manicure with your nail technician.

What causes finger nail damage?
The nail can be damaged by nail-biting, scratching the nail folds, bad manicuring, or trauma such as slamming a finger in a car door. Damaged nails may appear ridged or cracked and broken. If they do not appear "normal" after about one year, then most likely the nail matrix has been damaged and the nail will never be normal again.

What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a hereditar y disorder which most commonly affects the skin on the elbows, knees, face, and even the scalp with a rash like appearance. In the finger nails, psoriasis may appear as pits in the nail plate, or as the nail plate separating from the nail bed (onycholysis). Other symptoms include the nail losing its normal luster, appearing discolored, or grossly thickening.

What is Paronychia?
Paronychia is an inflammation of the nail folds commonly caused by constant exposure to moisture. Exposure to bacteria or fungus can often cause a secondary infection accompanied by painful swelling of the nail fold. If the infection goes untreated for an extended period of time, the nail plate can become deformed. Paronychia can be treated by draining the infected nail fold, taking oral antibiotics, or using a topical antifungal or antiseptic lotion. If you have paronychia it's best to avoid prolonged exposure to water (e.g. washing dishes), or try wearing gloves.

What do Nails reveal about your health?
Take a look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy-looking? Or do you see ridges, or areas of unusual color or shape? The condition of your nails may offer clues to your general health. Illness can cause changes in your nails that your doctor can use to develop a diagnosis.

Here are a few nail disorders that may be linked with illnesses:
Beau's lines - Indentations that run across your nail. This can appear when growth at the matrix (nail root) is disturbed by severe illness such as a heart attack, measles, or pneumonia.

Clubbing - your fingertips widen and become round while the nails curve around your fingertips caused by enlargement in connective tissue as compensation for a chronic lack of oxygen. Lung disease is present in 80 percent of people who have clubbed fingers.

Half-and-Half (Lindsay's nails) - Look for an arc of brownish discoloration. It may appear in a small percentage of people who have a kidney disorder.

Onycholysis (ON-i-ko-LY-sis) - the nail separates from the nail bed. Most of the time, this problem is associated with physical injury (trauma), psoriasis, drug reactions, fungal disease or contact dermatitis from using nail hardeners. Sometimes onycholysis can be related to an over- or under-active thyroid gland, iron deficiency, or syphilis.

Spoon nails - soft nails that look scooped out. Depression is usually large enough to hold a drop of liquid. This condition often indicates iron deficiency.

Terry's nails - the nail looks opaque and white, but the nail tip has a dark pink to brown band. This can be a symptom of cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, adult-onset diabetes, cancer, or aging.

Publications: Febstore

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil & OPI Acetone Free Polish Remover Are Great For Nails

Don´t your nails drive you crazy?

Mine do! Flaking, peeling, splitting, breaking and of course, I don’t really help much as I’m constantly taking the nail polish off, but let’s move on from that.

Every now and then I try to take care of them. Since I was not able to buy the amazing L’Onglex anywhere nearby, I picked up some ridiculously pricey Opi Acetone Free Polish Remover a while back. I’ll explain: I was in London, any other product was very small, very expensive or one of those awful removers that take your lacquer off down to the bone. I hate that stuff, so Opi it was.

Anyway, expensive as it was (£7.35 according to boots.com) it’s pretty good. It’s hassle free, whips off stains and brightens in seconds. Great job! Will I replace it? Hmmmm. I might, but I might just get some L’Onglex instead.

The other thing I’ve been using recently is Essie Apricot Cuticle oil in an attempt to strengthen my nails. My nails are prone to weaken, peel and split at the tips. I can never keep a manicure in place for more than a day or two at the most because there’s so much going on with my nails.

Needless to say, I’d like to fix this.

I’m not very high maintenance and neither do I want to look over-groomed but just occasionally it’d be nice to hear a complement about my nails. The Essie oil was about €14 at Boots Liffey Valley from what I recall – although I’m sure you could find it a lot cheaper online.

Publications: Febstore

Monday, March 26, 2012

12 Things Your Nail Salon Doesn't Want You to Know Part 3

When you shave matters
You shouldn't shave before getting a pedicure, says Choi, as pedicurists do not care if you have hair on your legs. Also, shaving your legs makes you more prone to infection as newly shaved legs have opened pores (and often tiny nicks you can't see) that are susceptible to infectious diseases. So don't be wary of showing off some stubble at the salon, she says.

Some tools can't be sanitized
You can only put metal tools in the autoclave, says Choi. And as we stated before, only an autoclave kills a 100 percent of all bacteria and viruses. Nail salon tools like pumice stones, emery boards, nail buffers and foam toe separators need to be swapped out after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria. That's why you're best off bringing your own -- just in case the salon doesn't follow this practice. If you see any white residue on a nail file, it means it's been used on someone else.

Footbaths aren't your friend
"Whirlpool footbaths," though seemingly safe, are filled with city water, which may or may not be free of microbes, says the doctor and are typically difficult to clean. Even though most nail salons disinfect their tubs, researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically find bacteria that could cause boils and rashes in most according to the "New York Times." And it's extremely hard to bust these salons with having microbe growth, as many times salons aren't linked to the infections because boils can take as long as four months after a pedicure to develop.

You don't need your calluses removed

Many salons will try and talk you into callous removal, as it is usually an additional service and charge. But Skyy Hadley, celebrity manicurist and owner of the As "U" Wish Nail Spa, says it is not always necessary. "If you're an athlete then you should never remove your calluses as these actually help level your performance. If you are not an athlete, you should have your calluses removed with a deep soak and scrub once they become thick and uncomfortable," she says.

If you do opt for callous removal, always choose scrubbing or a chemical remover. Never allow your nail technician to cut or shave the skin off your feet. "Cutting is cutting," and "not recommended," says Choi. Not to mention, the more you cut, the thicker the calluses will grow back, she advises.

Publications: Febstore

Friday, March 23, 2012

12 Things Your Nail Salon Doesn't Want You to Know Part 1


Your nails create big beauty salon business. Spending anywhere from $10 - $45 a pop for a manicure and $15 - $50 for a pedicure (not including tip), your weekly or monthly salon visits are costing you precious pampering dollars. No wonder it's a six billion dollar a year industry.
Skip to see the 11 things your nail salon doesn't want you to know now.
As you can imagine, the money you spend on these little luxuries is very important to the salon industry, meaning they will do whatever it takes to keep you coming back for more. While sometimes "whatever it takes" is going above and beyond excellent service, cleanliness and technique, it can also mean cutting corners and deceiving the salon layman in order to keep costs down and business booming.

And not to totally scare you, but what's supposed to be a luxurious treat, can sometimes turn into your worst nightmare -- think skin eating diseases and infections. While yes, millions of women get manicures each year and don't experience any serious or life-threatening side effects, you'd be naive to believe that it could never happen to you. Nail salons that have been insufficiently cleaned or performed bad sanitization practices, as well as ones with inadequately trained nail technicians, could be a breeding ground for bacteria and a dangerous place for you to "unwind."

This is why we went straight to the pros who know -- nail technicians and a podiatrist in order to uncover the secrets nail salons don't want you to know. Read on to learn how to save money at the salon, your nails and possibly your life.

You are always at risk
Podiatrist Dr. Robert Spalding, author of "Death by Pedicure," states that "at this time, an estimated one million unsuspecting clients walk out of their chosen salon with infections -- bacterial, viral and fungal." And no matter which salon you go to, there is always a risk of infection. He claims that in his research "75 percent of salons in the United States are not following their own state protocols for disinfections," which includes not mixing their disinfectant solutions properly on a daily basis, not soaking their instruments appropriately, and using counterfeit products to reduce costs (for example Windex substituted for Barbicide), says the doctor. And the problem is that there is no way to really "verify an instrument has been properly soaked and sterilized," without watching the process.

They don't turn customers away
Like most businesses, most nail salons won't turn away paying customers, which means that people who are sick, have nail infections or foot fungus are being worked on next to you instead of being referred to an appropriate medical professional.

Dr. Spalding says that the greatest danger of the nail salon is "The transmission of infection from one client to another." And with "millions of people whose immune systems are compromised by diabetes, HIV, cancer, hepatitis and other infective organisms" booking services offered in nail salons, many are dangerously susceptible to infection, warns the doctor.

They swap and dilute bottles
In her long history as a nail technician, celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spas in New York City, says she has heard of many salons filling expensive lotion bottles with a cheap generic lotion. That way the salons can charge you more for the manicure by claiming to use prestige products, but in reality are just deceiving you.

Similarly, she says that some salons will dilute nail polish bottles that have become clumpy from old age or from too much air exposure with nail polish remover. This action compromises the quality of the polish, which will make the formula chip easier once on your nails. To ensure the life of your color and to protect any possible germ.

Just because there is no blood, doesn't mean you haven't been cut
"Breaks in the skin can be microscopic or highly visible," says Dr. Spalding. They can either come in with the client via "cuts, scratches, hangnails, bitten nails, insect bites, paper cuts, split cuticles -- or be created in the salon," he says. "Nail techs using callus-cutting tools and nail nippers, files, cuticle pushers, and electric burrs and drills, can and do scratch and nick skin," sometimes drawing blood and sometimes not. But just because no blood is visible, doesn't mean these "portals of entry" aren't susceptible to infective organisms, the doctor advises.

If you've ever had your nails filed and it momentarily feels "too hot in the corner for even a second," then you've had the surface layer of your skin broken -- leaving it open for infection.

Publications: Febstore

Friday, March 2, 2012

NAIL CARE TIPS


One large area of the modeling industry is named 'parts modeling', comprising those models whose legs, body or hands are used for adverts that require only a small part of the model's body. Hand models are a great resource for beauty tips, because their career depends on the beauty of their skin and nails.
Strong and beautiful nails are a great sign that you're a healthy person. Good nail care is not only good for any close-up photos you might do, but is an important part of being an attractive person.

Stronger Nails
Wearing nail polish actually strengthens your nails. If your nails are delicate and easily broken, try to wear nail polish as often as possible. Using a good clear nail polish every day will give your nails a great natural look and strengthen them in the long run too.

Here's a good tip for making your nail polish dry faster - dip your nails in ice water a minute after application. Alternatively, put on a light coating of baby oil.

One thing you should be careful off - never open soda cans with your nails. Instead, slip a knife under the ring pull and lever it up gently. There's no sense in getting beautiful nails then ruining them on a can of Coke!

Exposing nails to water causes them to expand and contract, contributing to weakened nails; Wearing a set of rubber gloves while cleaning is a good idea to protect them.

Making Small Nails Appear Larger
If you have short or narrow nails, clear nail polish sometimes only makes your nails appear small. A darker nail polish will make them seem narrower, and hence longer.

For those of you with very small nails, using a nail polish with a metallic color can make them appear larger.

Moisturizing Nails
Julia Roberts soaks her nails in olive oil for a few minutes each week. Why? Olive oil moisturizes your nails without weakening them, and softens your cuticles too. It also prevents "hang nails" that are caused by dry skin.

Softening Cuticles
Never cut off cuticles or calluses, they will just grow back harder and you run the risk of infection. It’s far better to soften them if you can. Just as with nails, dipping in olive oil will make them more supple, softer and less prone to splitting.
Another good tip for softer hands is to dip them in milk for 3 minutes. This is a great tip to do before your manicure.

Bubbly Nail Polish
If you keep getting bubbles in your polish, remember not to shake the bottle before use, this just increases the bubbles. If you want to mix it up, try rolling it between your hands first.

Split Nails
If you're one of those people who suffer from consistently split nails, here are some great tips. Never grow them too long, as this just makes them more vulnerable. About one quarter of a centimeter beyond your finger is a good length. Make sure that they are always neatly filed into a nice curved shape.

Your nails lose moisture a lot faster than your hands, so always keep them very well moisturized. Also keep your use of polish remover to a minimum - the alcohol it contains can suck out moisture.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Make Your Manicure Last

Wish your polish could outlast a few shampoos, keystrokes, or simple chores? Make it stick with these 11 tricks.
1. Never push back dry cuticles. Doing so can crack polish at the base, which leads to chipping, says New York City celebrity nail pro Deborah Lippmann, who offers tips like this in her master class, held at upscale department stores. But if you're about to change your polish, you don't want any cuticle skin on the nail's surface (it can interfere with your base coat) — so loosen ragged edges by rubbing in a softening cream. Then gently nudge cuticles back with an orangewood stick.
2. Don't soak fingertips. There's no real reason to do so (at salons, it's just part of the pampering), and, says Tom Bachick, executive vice president of the Young Nails Company, it can actually have a negative effect: When you soak your nails, they absorb water, which temporarily puffs them up — but they revert to their normal shape when the water evaporates. This expansion and contraction is the top cause of chipping, peeling, and cracking of polish, says Bachick
3. Get the surface clean, clean, clean. Any traces of moisture, dust, or leftover enamel will get in the way of new-polish adhesion. To pave the way for true staying power, drizzle an old toothbrush with hand soap; then use it to "get into the corners and under nail tips, where oil — the great enemy — may be hiding," suggests Jan Arnold, cofounder of Creative Nail Design. (Steer clear of lanolin-based soaps, which interfere with adhesion.) Then swipe on an acetone polish remover to temporarily dehydrate the nail plate.
4. Shape up. "To maximize nail strength, tips should be rounded and corners left somewhat square," says Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University, in New York City. Filing is healthier than clipping, which can crack the nail plate. Use a fine-grit nail file and work in one direction. "Filing back and forth with an abrasive board will cause the nail's delicate keratin layers to peel away from each other," says Elsbeth Schuetz, international educator for Orly.
5. Apply a base coat (no, it's not just a marketing ploy). Not only does a bottom layer give lacquer something to latch on to, says chemist Doug Schoon, vice president of research and development for Creative Nail Design, but studies show that a base coat sticks to nails better than polish does. For uneven nail surfaces, choose a base that also smooths out roughness.
6. Once lacquer is on, seal it with a slow-setting topcoat. Quick-dry kinds are certainly appealing, but they evaporate so fast, they leave polish soft, mushy, and prone to denting. A slower-acting topcoat leaves a harder, more protective finish. To speed things up without sacrificing protection, use a drying oil or spray over your topcoat.
7. Make the most of metallics. Sure, light shades make chips less noticeable, but you can get an extra couple of days' wear from a metallic polish, says Schoon. One theory on why this works: Small iridescent flecks thicken enamel, so it forms a stronger film as it dries — allowing it to outlast creamy opaques (whose high pigment content can block adhesion).
8. Or try Revlon's ColorStay Always On Nail Enamel. This two-step system — which consists of polish and a protective sealant and doesn't require a base coat — promises to resist chips for up to ten days. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put it to the test while moving office buildings (talk about active conditions). Despite a few complaints about surface scratches, nearly all of the panelists agreed that it was the longest-lasting polish they had ever tried (50 percent got ten days of wear; one person, 14 days). As one tester put it, "This product has revolutionized the nail polish industry."
9. Polish should be applied in three narrow, even strokes — one down the center and one down each side — and then be allowed to dry for two minutes before a second coat is applied. The thicker the layer is, the more difficult it is for the solvent — the liquid agent in enamel — to evaporate, boosting the chances that polish will peel.
10. Practice good maintenance. "Everything you touch wears away your polish," says Lippmann. Every other day, apply a layer of quick-dry topcoat (it's OK to use on already-dry polish) to form a protective shield and increase shine.
11. Give your polish a drink. The more your enamel dries out, the greater the likelihood that it will separate from your nail. Since topcoats don't seal in hydration, apply oil to nails and cuticles before bedtime, and slather on a thick hand cream twice a day.
 

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