Maintaining Healthy Nails
Maintaining healthy nails requires a combination of good habits and the right products. Here are some essential products you might need for optimal nail care:
- Nail Clippers
- Purpose: To keep nails trimmed and free from splits or snags.
- Tip: Use sharp, good-quality clippers and trim nails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
- Nail Files
- Purpose: To shape the nails and smooth out any rough edges.
- Tip: Use a gentle, fine-grit nail file and file in one direction to avoid weakening the nails.
Extra tip: If your nails are really thin, when approaching the nail with the file approach it from slightly beneath the nail versus straight on.
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- Cuticle Remover, Cuticle Cream and Oils
Cuticle Remover
Purpose—remove dead cuticle from the nail plate and
Apply once a week and gently push back cuticles with a wooden stick rather than cutting them.
Cuticle Cream and/or Oil
- Purpose: To moisturize and soften cuticles, preventing them from becoming dry and cracked.
- Tip: Apply daily and gently massage into the skin and nail.
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- Hand Cream
- Purpose: To keep hands and nails hydrated. Rich Girl hand cream has the added benefit of Broad Spectrum SPF 25
- Tip: Look for creams with ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, and natural oils.I highly recommend using sunscreen on your hands to protect them from the elements. Our hands spend a lot of time in the sun and age faster than the skin on our face because we don’t care as much for them.
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Cotton
I recommend cotton that is lint free. This will keep all of those little fuzzy pieces that show up under your nail polish (Clever little buggers! we never know where they come from) at bay.
- Base Coat
- Purpose: To protect nails from staining and to create a smooth surface for nail polish.
- Tip: There are many base coats that care for different problems we might have with our nails. Choose a base coat that also offers strengthening benefits if your nails are weak. Or a ridge filling base coat like my All About the Base if your nails are uneven. Choose a base coat like Genie in a bottle if you are wanting to slightly disguise discoloration in your own nail and brighten the look of your nail.
Tip: ONLY USE ONE BASE COAT AT A TIME
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- Nail Polish
- Purpose: To add color and style to nails.
- Tip: Opt for polishes that are free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (dibutyl phthalate). Deborah Lippmann gel Lab Pro Color nail polish is 21-Free.
- Polishing tip: When using the deborah lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color the formula is self-leveling. Take your time when polishing and resist the temptation to ‘over’ polish.
Also, capping the tip of the nail with base coat, both coats of color and top coat by very lightly running the brush across the very tip of your nail. I really recommend turning the brush upside down which leaves the bristles facing the ceiling. Approach the tip of the nail either ever so slightly from beneath the tip—or have the brush face the tip of the nail and very lightly let those bristles do the work and just lightly cap the tip. This will give you several more days of wear.
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- Top Coat
- Purpose: To seal in nail color and add shine and protection.
- Tip: A good top coat can extend the life of your manicure and prevent chipping.
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- Nail Strengthener
- Purpose: To fortify weak or brittle nails.
- Tip: Use regularly if you have nails that break or split easily.
Hard Rock nail strengthener is our rock solid choice to strengthen and protect, this protein-rich treatment encourages healthy nail growth. It's especially beneficial for weak nails or post gel and artificial nail removal.
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- Nail Polish Remover
- Purpose: To safely and effectively remove nail polish.
- Tip: A non-acetone formula is known to be gentler on your nails however you must be really patient when trying to remove a shade with a darker pigment or shimmer. If you opt for 100% Acetone use a very small amount and avoid getting it on your cuticle and surrounding skin. My recommendation is to choose a polish remover that contains acetone and also treatment ingredients like lavender and aloe. Mine is called The Stripper because it ‘takes it all off’ and The Stripper doesn’t dehydrate the nail.
Tip—do not ever pour polish remover into your polish trying to ‘thin’ out the polish. Since polish remover is designed to break down the dried polish on your nail it will also break down the formula that is inside your bottle.
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- Nail Brush
- Purpose: To clean nails and remove dirt from underneath them.
- Tip: Use a gentle brush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the nail surface or cuticles.
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Purpose: Diet and habits play a big role in nail health. DRINK WATER WATER WATER is my mantra! Hydrate from the inside out!
- Tip: Ensure you consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive exposure on your hands to harsh chemicals or water.
Always use sunscreen on your hands to keep age spots at bay and keep your hands looking young!
Incorporating these products into your nail care routine can help maintain strong, healthy, and attractive nails.
