Taking care of your natural nails can sometimes be difficult -- they crack, split, break, and can be weak. But if you follow a few simple steps, you can get your own nails to look fabulous without much effort! Establish a nail-care regimen that includes trips to the salon along with some at-home care.
USA Today had a great article yesterday about how to achieve healthy nails and why it's important. Here are their tips for preventing and lessening damage:
Protect cuticles -- the strip of hardened skin at the base and sides prevents microbes from infecting your nails. Damage it and you risk infection. It's OK to push cuticles back gently, but don't cut them. If you get a hangnail, cut it cleanly with a cuticle scissor, but don't pick at it. That can lead to infection.
Baby your brittle nails -- age and harsh products can reduce the natural oils that act as a glue and hold the nail layers together. To counter the loss, apply cream, oil, or ointment to the hands and nails several times a day. Regularly applying a thick cream (try Kenneth's soy moisturizer) at bedtime for several months makes a big difference.
Be patient -- fingernails grow about one-tenth of an inch a month, the American Academy of Dermatology says. Gelatin capsules won't speed it up, but vitamin supplements containing biotin could help weak or fragile nails. As always, a balanced diet helps as well.
Practice salon smarts -- sanitation is always in the forefront of the nail industry. Though state health departments regulate salon sanitation, clients should ask about how a salon handles sanitation and disinfection. (Kenneth's nail services are always sanitary. Implements are disinfected and sanitized, and anything porous is never re-used. In fact, you can even take your files and buffer home with you!)
Nail Trends this Season
"It's an inexpensive way to add something to your wardrobe," says Michelle Mismas of alllacqueredup.com. "For many people, it's become an accessory just like jewelry." Try one of these trends:
Cracked/shatter-effect polishes -- these specially formulated lacquers create a splitting, geometric appearance on the nail. They're typically layered over a smooth, contrasting color to produce a more dramatic effect. All of Kenneth's nail salons use OPI's Shatter, which comes in a variety of colors.
Multicolor manicures -- instead of painting all 10 nails the same color, complimentary colors adorn each nail or one is painted a different color to stand out, often the ring finger or thumb nail.
Traditional brights and pastels -- these are always in style during the summer, with oranges and blues popular this year, along with more muted greens. Pastels are timeless options for women who want something more understated, with grayed, sandwashed undertones adding a softer effect.
Nudes and neutrals -- colors that match your skin tone are the polar opposite of the multicolor manicures and bright trends but feel fresh and clean in the summer heat.
USA Today, July 26, 2011. "Healthy Nails are Within Your Reach", Michelle Healy.