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Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:13 pm  |
well here are my nails currently, and they used to be dry and brittle and prone to splits and rough cuticles and all.
Here's how I did it, these are the essentials:
- Essie crystal Nailfile ($7-10USD, available online/ in nail salons).
Do not be alarmed by the price because this thing lasts forever, is hygeneic, and is 10000% better than those cheap emery boards. Most important of all is it polishes the edge or your nails to prevent future splitting.
- Sally hansen instalnt cuticle remover. ($3-5USD/ drugstore)
- Any generic orange wood sticks/ cuticle pushers. ($1-2USD a pack).
- A good cuticle oil or cream or spritz or balm, much depending on which consistency you like better.
My favorites in terms of different consistency:
Oil:
Creative nail design solar oil ($3-10USD depending on size, online or nail salons)
Cream:
Orly cuticle cream ($3-5USD)
Balm:
Burt's bees lemon cuticle butter ($6USD?)
Creative nail design brand also makes their oil in balm or spritz. So the possibility's endless.
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Firstly, apply sally hansen cuticle remover on the skin/cuticle around the nail. Wait 15 seconds. Gently push back/scrape the rough cuticles lightly with the orange woood stick.
This is for removing/exfoliating the dead skincells around the nail before moisturisers can penetrate.
Then grab a dampened cotton ball and remove the residue. Then rinse thoroughly and wash your hand with soapy water.
Cuticle removers dont need to used more than once a week or fortnight.
Then, use Essie nail file, file nails to desired length in 1 direction only. Do not use nail clipper since clippers tend to cause invisible tears in your nails, that's why your nails break/split/peel. The nail file is made with glass/crystal, it files very quickly, and seals the nail edges perfectly. You nail edges should feel smooth and will not tug on any clothing material.
Apply your desired cuticle treatment, if it's oil, just brush on the oil around your nails and underneath. Wait 1 minutes, massage in lightly.
Oils tend to have best penetration, though the disadvantage being it can get greasy for daytime.
Orly's cutcile cream is the best consistency, it dries velvt matte and great for using in the office during day time.
Burt's bees cuticle lemon butter smells delicious, comforting, though consistency is a bit harder.
Apply cuticle treatment at least once a day, before you sleep. Preferrably once during noon or the mornings too.
Then try keeping your nails polished as this prevents moisture in the nails that cause brittleness. Always use a base coat to prevent staining. (I like Nailtek foundation II which is a ridge filler too, or Orly Bonder which is a runny liquid that dries fast.)
Everything's available in nail salons or drugstore or online. And it's really easy. |
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