Everyone loves to flaunt a set of well-lacquered digits, but it's important to care as much about what lies beneath as what shows above. Even underneath the varnish, your nails should be well-groomed and clean; not yellowed and chipped. No, no, we're not suggesting you check into a salon for an expensive manicure, just follow this simple list of dos and don'ts to show your nails some well-deserved love.
1. Do - Make The Nail Clipper Your Friend
Don't wait for a manicure to get your nails clipped. Take matters into your own hands -- quite literally. Purchase a regular nail clipper or a specialised one if your nails are extra tough. Even if you keep them long, make sure you trim and file them regularly, to shape and smoothen them. Do this once every week, or at least within a fortnight, depending on how quickly your nails grow
2. Don't - Bite
This is a no-brainer, but a surprising number of adults carry this childhood habit into their grown-up lives. Apart from the fact that chewed up nails are unsightly, biting your nails is also extremely unhygienic: it spreads bacteria and can draw blood if the bite is too deep. If you find yourself biting your nails when you're stressed, anxious or upset, use the oldest trick in the book: apply bitter neem oil on them which will immediately make you cognisant of your chomping!
3. Do - Moisturise
No, moisturising isn't only for the face and the body, but for your nails as well. To keep your fingers supple and nails shiny, apply a few drops of almond oil over your nails and massage it gently into your cuticles and fingertips before you sleep.
4. Don't - Tear Hang Nails
While tearing those dry bits of skin at the sides of your nails can seem like the natural response to it, stop yourself right there. Tearing the skin away can lead you to go a little too deep and cause bleeding or, worse, an infection. Instead, use a clipper to cut away the excess dry bits neatly.
5. Do - Apply A Base
The beauty of a base coat is its many benefits. For one, it helps bond the nail varnish to the nails, allowing it to last longer. It acts like a primer to smoothen the surface of the nail, which is useful if you have deep ridges. A base coat also prevents nail varnishes, especially dark shades, from leaving the nail yellow and damaged.
6. Don't - Overdo It
Comments
Yes, gel nails are fantastic and once you try it, it's hard to stop. But for the sake of your nails, give them a break. While gel nails do look attractive, the process of filing, buffing and UV light to make them look like that can leave your nail very thin and cuticles raw.
