I'll admit it. I am one of those girls. You know the ones who always have their nails polished? Yeah that's me. When did this happen? For years, I felt nail polish was too much work but now I can count the people on one hand that have seen my nails unpolished for more than 12 hours. I'll admit it. I love having them polished and now feel strange when they are not polished. I see nail polish as a form of expression allowing me to express my mood and my color preference without saying a word. I favor dark polishes in the winter, pastels in the spring, and metallics depending on the occasion.All of this nail polish does have a detrimental effect on my nails themselves. While I do not have the time to pamper my nails every time I paint them, I try to do this intense nail care routine once a month. I am a college student who doesn't have the time or money to get them done at the salon so here are my at-home manicure tips.
1. Remove all the old polish first!! Do not paint layer upon layer of nail polish. That isn't good for your nail and it could turn them yellow. For all price ranges and preferences, go to the drug store and pick up some nail polish remover. It comes in pads or you can use cotton balls/Q-tips along with the bottle of nail polish.
2. Trim your nails straight across. Trying to cut them at funny angles could cause you to get an ingrown nail.
3. Use a nail file to shape your nails however you like, short, long, square, round. Start at the edge of the nail and work towards the top always filing in one direction.
4. Soak your nails in warm water to soften the cuticles. Then follow up with cuticle oil and massage into cuticles.
5. Use an orangestick to push down your cuticles but be careful. You don't want to cut them or cause an infection.
6. Moisturize your hands with your favorite lotion. Don't let your hands get dehydrated and dry.
Now your nails have been fully pampered and are ready to be polished. Dry your hands first so they are not wet or oily.
7. Paint a coat of base coat to protect the nail from the the harshness of the color.
8. Paint two coats of color. Use three strokes, one on each side of the nail and one in the middle.
9. Finish up with a coat of top coat so your nail polish will last longer.
Posted by Gina on February 01, 2012 at 02:16 PM EST #