You think you know how to keep your nails healthy, but just when you start seeing results, it’s back to square one. What’s worse is once you start growing your nails back out after a trim, they may seem plumper, but that has very little to do with the real condition. Here’s what you need to know so you can give them a break this Winter — plus a few good ones of your own.
The Hydrating Factor
When you mow the lawn, you probably apply a coat of water before covering your body in it for three to four hours. For nails, it’s the same idea. Brush your toes and rub your fingertips to soften your nails, but it’s not enough. After you leave the manicure chair and go back to your normal activities, your nail polish, cuticles, and cuticles all need to be replaced.
Your Cuticles
Nails are hormonally driven. Since your blood vessels are exposed, the reduction in healthy blood vessels caused your nails to grow back weaker and more brittle than they were beforehand. Cuticles are the proper set of valves between the skin and nail that provides lubrication between the nail and cuticle. When you cut, calluses form on the cuticle, and this expands and is soft. Cuticles soften over time when exposed to stress, and over time they become less and less that can be made stronger by over-washing or chipping them. You need to get your cuticles, along with your nail beds, thoroughly moisturized to help heal your skin and help those feet stay healthy.
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Nail Basics
Hydration is an essential part of a healthy manicure. Just as you know to give your body a daily facial, you need to do the same for your nails. Gentle amoungst a couple drops of herbal oil and a few drops of Jojoba Oil are all you need. Pairing the oil with hydrogen peroxide can help keep polishes from sticking, as well as provide an all-around healthier look to nails.
Always wash off any polish with cold water and dry clean any cuticles, especially your base and tips. Remember your top coat is going to be more likely to stick, and because it will only be applied once, you need to be sure your nails can be easily removed. Using a polish remover like Formula X helps after any trim to remove any polish left behind, but also allows for the polish to fully dry instead of the usual one-step, scrubbing solution. Not only does using remover help apply a glossier, shinier finish, but removing old polish without drying means less residue.
Coat your nails in a coat of UV-free clear nail polish with your top coat. This protects your nails from harmful UV rays, so you won’t need to worry about washing your nails with chemicals every time you get ready for the day. During the day, you can also use a clear base coat (provided it’s not bristle coated) for a healthy manicure.
Protect your cuticles with moisturizing glue. This extends the life of your cuticles. It will help soothe chapped cuticles and reduce the risk of them falling off entirely.
Some are Best
The key is to exercise your nails during the Summer and Winter. These are the seasons in which you’ll notice a difference, which means you should be less likely to see visible chipping during those months.
Layering is also key to healthy nails. Moisturized nails will attract more moisture and protect them from the occasional wear and tear. So layer on a thin layer of nail polish over a base coat of clear polish. When you’re done, you can let the polish dry before painting another coat. By adhering your nail polish to the body of your nail and letting your top coat dry before painting another layer, you’ll be able to remove your nail polish with minimal fuss and extra buildup.
Do you work in the nail salon? If so, you might be able to sneak in a pop of the OPI Moisture Check Brightened Girl Get Look, or check out our Nail Pads to chill your digits in the Winter.
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