- Choose your moment. Don’t give yourself a manicure after bathing, as soft, water-saturated nails are easily damaged by filing and your polish won’t stay put. Nail polish takes up to 2 hours to dry but at least another 10 hours to be rock-hard.
- Update your nail file. There’s a bewildering array of nail files out there but the bottom line is to go for the finest grade of abrasion possible. If it feels like sandpaper, it’s too harsh. Also, remember to use a nail file only to shape, not shorten, your nails. Nail clippers are your best bet for reducing the length.
- Shape up. Always file from the outer edge to the centre in one direction. Never saw back and forth as this creates a build-up of friction and heat and both of these will make the nail’s tip split. And never file down the sides of your fingernails as these are the stress areas of the nails and form a wall of support. Your nail’s shape should mirror the shape of the cuticle – a square or oval is best. Right before you finish filing, use soft, gentle downward strokes at the very tip of the nail to help seal the layers together.
- Critical cuticles. Never cut your cuticles as this will encourage them to grow back thicker and tougher. Just soften them with cuticle oil and then, using a thin cotton cloth dipped in water, gently push them back. Afterwards, clean your hands and nails with a nail brush and soapy water and dry them properly – this helps ensure your nail polish stays put and lasts longer.
- Base camp. The first step of any paint job is always the base coat. It helps anchor polish to the nail and forms a barrier to prevent staining. If brittle nails are a problem you experience, avoid formulations that contain formaldehyde or toluene as they can be drying.
- Colour up. It’s a three-step process. Start about 3mm above the cuticle, then nudge the brush to just above the cuticle and paint in a continuous stroke to the nail’s tip. This prevents colour build-up around the base of the nail. Repeat on either side of the nail and wait for two minutes before painting on a second coat. Avoid the cuticle itself – polish-stained skin looks trashy.
- Top coat. Protect against chips and give your manicure long-lasting shine with a crystal-clear top coat. Check out the Sally Hansen stand in selected pharmacies for more tips on caring for your nails.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
