Say goodbye to nibbled nails and ragged cuticles with our at-home manicure tips.
- Remove your old nail polish with a gentle nail-polish remover.
- Shape your nails with a fine grade nail file (if it feels like sandpaper, it’s too harsh). File from the right side to the centre and from the left side to the centre of the nail. Do not use a sawing motion or file into the sides of the nail, as this weakens the nail and can cause splits and breaks. When shaping your nails, the experts tend to agree that the best shape is one that mirrors the shape of your cuticles – generally what they call “squoval”.
- Push back your cuticles gently with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. For nails with a build-up of dead skin or hard cuticles, massage a cuticle-removing cream into your cuticles before pushing them back. Do not cut your own cuticles as the skin is very delicate.
- ooisturise the nail and cuticle area with a good cuticle cream. This will promote healthy nail growth and prevent hangnails.
- Use a buffer to remove ridges and give your nails a healthy shine.
- oassage your arms and hands with a luxurious hand cream.
- Remove any trace of oil or cream from your nails with a gentle nail-polish remover to prepare for the finishing touches.
- If your nails are weak and need strengthening, apply two coats of a good nail-strengthening liquid.
- Apply a base coat to protect the nails and give greater adhesion. Then apply two coats of your favourite nail colour. Finally apply a top coat to add shine and prevent chipping. Remember nail polish takes a few hours to dry properly – so be careful.
Tricks and Tips
Keep your lips and tips the same tone (if not the same colour). Blue-based red on your finger nails with orange-based red on your lips is not a good look.
Chipped nail polish always looks tacky, so get it off ASAP. Naked nails are better than patchy polish.
Keep your nails cut to the same length – mismatched talons look a mess.
Choose your moment – don’t give yourself a manicure after a long bath or shower. Soft waterlogged nails are easily damaged by filing and your polish won’t stay put.
Nail rebels take note – the more oval-shaped you file your nails to be, the weaker they will become. Try to square them up or aim for a squoval shape instead, as your nails’ sides are thicker than their centres and will give them support and strength.
Look out for the best in nail care from orly or Sally Hansen at Farmers and selected pharmacies nationwide.
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