Nails Health And Beauty » Nail Polish

How Often Should You Look After Your Nails And How To Prevent The Most Common Nail Problems

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:10:37 +0000

Louise Forrest asked:

There are quite a few different problems which can occur with our nails. Uncared for nails can easily become brittle, split and white spots can often appear.

It can be hard knowing how often you should care for your nails and what you should do. However, with a little time and effort you will notice that looking after your nails really does not have to be overly hard.

How Often You Should Look After Your Nails:

As a general rule, your nails should be looked after every single day. Simple hygiene such as using a nail brush and mild soap and water daily is not really a chore and it only takes a few minutes of your time. On top of that there are also other things you can do weekly including:

Removing any old nail polish by moistening a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Press the cotton to the nail for just a few seconds to soften the polish and prevent any rubbing of the nail. In one firm movement move the cotton from the base of the nail, right up to the tip and then repeat until the polish has all come off.

Next shape the nail by using an emery board. It is better to file the nails from the corner to the centre, though you should not file the actual corner itself. It is important to not run the file up and down the nail as this can cause ridges and other potential problems with the nail.

The next step is to soak the hands in warm water for up to a few minutes, in order to remove any built up dirt and bits of nail from the filing that was just done. Use an orange wood stick to clean under the nail.

Many people like to push their cuticles back but generally it is better to leave the cuticle where it is. If you are unsure as to where the cuticle in the nail is, it is basically the skin which grows from the finger onto the base of the nail. Not pushing the cuticle back helps to prevent infections.

Although you can buy different top coats and base coats, it is thought that a clear nail polish does exactly the same job and so it is cheaper to just apply clear nail polish first. Next choose whichever color you want for your nails and apply. Leave them to dry and then apply another layer of clear nail polish as a topcoat to seal the color in and to prevent chipping.

It is recommended that you visit a professional manicurist every six weeks in order to keep your nails extra healthy. Some good tips for caring for your nails include not using nail polish remover more than once a week. Nail polish remover can cause the nails to dry out and ***** and split. Also, after washing your hands always apply lotion or moisturizer to the nails in order to keep them well lubricated and protected.

White spots often occur on the nails and they are generally nothing to worry about. Whilst they can indicate a problem with nutrition, most white spots are caused by rough manicures and too much force applied to the nail. In this case they should grow out on their own and you should make a note to yourself to be extra careful with your nails in future

Also ridges are another common problem which are usually caused by too much pressure on the nail. Some ridges are also down to hereditary factors and these can only be controlled by smoothing them down using a buffer. If the ridges have only just occurred they can be a symptom of anemia and so it is always better to consult your doctor.

Overall, looking after your nails need not be a chore. It does not take long to scrub under the nails with soapy water using a nail brush, and having a manicure once every six weeks can actually be quite fun. So, look after your nails daily and you should not have many problems!

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The Vital Importance of Proper Nail Care!

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:20:41 +0000

Konrad Braun asked:

Nail care can easily be overlooked, but it is a very important detail in personal hygiene and beauty care.
The very basis of nail care is a healthy diet, but that applies to care of the entire body.

The first matter of business is cleanliness. Hands should be washed with a gentle soap, and one should use a nail brush to scrub under the nails. Not only does this enhance the appearance, but it keeps bacteria at bay. Using a basic hand lotion after washing will keep the hands soft, and is especially important in winter.

Before trimming your nails, your hands should be soaked in warm water for a few minutes (after having a bath is a convenient time) This softens the nails, and makes trimming safer, healthier, and less messy.

At this point, the cuticles are also soft and yielding. They should be gently pushed back with a cuticle stick. Don’t cut your cuticles. Cuticles exist to keep bacteria out of the body, so cutting them can put your nails at a risk of infection. Keeping cuticles pushed back also avoids ragged cutting, and in the long term your cuticles will look much better pushed than they would cut.

If you have trouble with hangnails, chances are you aren’t moisturizing your cuticles enough. A good hand lotion or cuticle cream should be applied as often as possible.

After you’ve trimmed your nails and pushed back your cuticles, allow your nails to dry. Once they are hard again, gently file the tips to remove rough corners or edges. File from the corner to the centre of your nail in one direction and a single motion.

Before applying polish, make sure your nails are free from oil, lotion, or any previous nail polish. Always use a base coat, allowing it to dry thoroughly. A base coat extends the life of polish on your nail, and prevents the nail from breaking.

Nail polish should be applied in two coats, allowing the first to dry completely before applying the second. Fast drying polish doesn’t last as long as ordinary polish, and darker polishes require more time to dry. You should use about 3 strokes to apply polish, first on either side, and the final stroke in the centre of the nail.

Once the final coat of polish has dried entirely, a clear top coat should be put on. Applying a top coat daily will preserve the polish, and keep the nails fresh in appearance. Nail polish should be removed with a polish remover that includes hydrating oils.

When hands and nails are well maintained and cared for regularly, people will notice. It has been said that hands are the best indicator of a person. A person who cares for their hands cares for the rest of their body. Unkempt hands may be a signal that the person doesn’t take good care of his or herself. So, remember to take good care of your hands!

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Dressing Up Your Nails

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:32:11 +0000

Troy Edwards asked:

Girls adore striking nails. They coat it with special colors and clothe it sometimes with glitters, stones, tattoos, and nail stickers. Whatever the adornment or design that will be used, I can call them “Nail Dresses”.

One’s nails can describe his/her personality. This is factual for both men and women. Red and black nail colors propose a strong almost devilish character. You can see vain ladies wearing diamonds and other crystals on the crown of their nails.

Whatever your nail dress maybe, don’t forget to apply a nail gel as it coats your nail polish making it excellently shiny and the effects are really stunning to the eyes. It can also shields the designs from being spoiled.

Let your nails wear nail polish that are expensive yet they can prove you that they are worth buying. OPI nail products sticks lengthy on the nails and as the days passed by while wearing them, you can still distinguish the vivacity of its colors. OPI nail polish is wonderful for women who long for for ideal nail designs. It allows ingenuity and it’s very stylish to wear.

Dressing up your nails is very easy if you will use the right nail products.

It is very important to produce creativity and elegance at the same time. You can try different designs and play with the nail brush. Hearts, flowers, animal prints, leaves, ethnic designs, crystal imprints, and anything you want your nail to be dressed in will be flawlessly executed with the use of OPI nail products.

Nail art seems extreme but its women’s way of showing their ingenuity and individuality. If you have a girlfriend, sister, daughter, wife, or a friend who is preoccupied with her nails, don’t stop her because it’s her way of creating a trademark.

Since our aim is to dress our nails, we should make it sure that it is correctly kept and sheltered. It must be stored in a dark room so that the colors won’t fade. The room temperature should be called so that the molecules won’t bond with each other.

What are you waiting for, with all this tips to create designs and picking up the right brand of nail polish – by now, you should have scheduled your way to shopping malls.

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Manicure Nail Art – From Revlon to Revolutionary

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 10:12:18 +0000

Donovan Gauvreau asked:

Every kind of art has its day in the sun. From Andy Warhol’s pop art phenomenon to tattoos and body art, there always seems to be a new art form emerging that allows people to express their individuality and creativity.

Tattoos are still a very popular art form, yet a new kind of body art, often referred to as manicure nail art, has taken the stage. Manicurists who perform nail art on their clients must rely on their artistic skills, combining together creativity, precision, and an eye for detail. Nail decorations can be applied to natural nails, as well as on gel and acrylic nails.

History of Nail Art

The practice of nail decoration has existed for the last 5000 years and can be traced to the people of India who embellished their nails with henna. Now fast forward to 1932, when the French company Revlon released its first nail polish. It was available in a wide variety of shades and used pigments instead of dyes.

Since the 1930s, nail art as come a long way. The technique of airbrushing nails is still relatively new. It includes an airbrushing machine designed to perform manicure nail art, which works with a compressor to create innovative and elegant patterns and designs on the nails.

Popular Designs

Typically, a manicure involves the application of nail polish, but there are several nail art techniques that can be added to the vibrant coat of paint. Many nail salon technicians are adept in applying decals, stickers, gems, glitter and flowers onto the nails. Some individuals go so far as to have their nails pierced in order to insert small hoops and studs. Many nail enthusiasts choose to have acrylic or gel nails put on before having any nail art done. The shiny acrylic enhances the designs. Some nail art trends include affixing motifs for specific holidays, such as pumpkins for Halloween, hearts for Valentine’s Day, and snowflakes or holly for the Christmas holidays.

In Japan, 3D manicure nail art has really taken the world by storm. In this technique, actual charms are fastened to the nail and sculpture powder is used to produce a unique 3D look. From opaque polish, to pearls, funky geometric shapes and comic book art, anything goes in this art form.

Manicure Nail Art Goes Digital

While many nail technicians can create sophisticated masterpieces with a free-hand technique using sharp brushes, or by employing a stencil, a new digitized method in nail art application has been introduced. The nails are cleaned and trimmed, just as they would be for a normal manicure, and a base coat is laid on and left to dry. Thereafter, a special polish is applied to allow the nail design to adhere properly. While it sets, a design can be selected by the client. Next, the client’s hand is placed in a cradle under a machine that sprays the design from the printer onto the nails. The printer is set to stop the process should the client accidentally move their hand. Although most machines have a wide selection of nail art designs to choose from, it is also possible for the client to create their own motif and have it scanned into the machine.

Permanent Nail Art

Although manicure nail art is available at most nail salon nowadays, some individuals prefer to stop by the tattoo parlour instead. They forgo coats of polish and glittery decals and opt to get their nails tattooed. The design is etched into the nail via a single-needle tattoo machine. The surface of the nail is penetrated thousands of times per minute to embed micro-pigmentation. The tattoo will only last until it is clipped off, so there is no need to worry about loving that particular design for the rest of your days.

Tips for Maintenance

If there ever was an ephemeral art form, manicure nail art is it. Once your nail grows out, or the acrylic or gel nail needs to be removed, the artistry is lost. Many women get their nails done on a regular basis, but there are ways to make your masterfully manicured nails last a little longer. Applying a top coat after they are done, and every couple of days afterwards, will keep them looking like new. Moreover, use cuticle oil every other day to maintain nail health. When doing chores and tasks that can damage your hands, protect your nails from chips, dents or cracks by wearing gloves.

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False Nails in a Flash

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:58:14 +0000

Kitkat McNeal asked:

There is very little told on how difficult it is to maintain beautiful, well-manicured, long nails when you have to clean the dishes then do the laundry and attack household chores everyday – increasing the chances of your breaking or chipping your wonderful nails.

Hard as it is to manage them, really boils down to if you can even grow them in the first place! False nails have grown in popularity because of this dilemma – now great nails are just a manicure kit away.

It’s Like Magic at the Tips of Your Fingers

Visit your local drugstore or beauty supply shop and you’ll find a wide array of false nail kits that already come with the essentials like a nail file, applicators and the glue.

Before applying the false nails, make sure that old nail polish on your fingernails have been removed and your hands have been washed thoroughly. Do not apply hand lotions or oils right away as the glue won’t stick properly if you did.

Give yourself a manicure as you normally would, cutting the natural nails to a comfortable length. File the tips and the top edges of the nail bed to create a smoother finish. Try the False nails on to make sure the sizes fit you. The artificial nails should never be smaller than your natural nails or vise versa.

Apply the fake nails starting with the thumb of your dominant hand. Keep as close to the cuticle as possible but never overlap. Any space between the false nails and the real one could accumulate moisture. Not only would the application be weak, there’s a possibility of mildew formation if that happens.

Put glue on the thumb and spread evenly, apply the false nails and press for about 5-15 seconds. Repeat procedure to the rest of the hand.

When done, remove any applicators still attached to the false nails and apply nail polish if you bought a non-polished one.

You may also want to try false nails that have nail designs on them or the ones of different colors.

Hints on Keeping Your False Nails on Longer

1. Avoid getting them wet often or soaking them on any liquid for long periods of time.
2. Always dry your hands thoroughly to prevent mildew formation in case the false and real nails have gap between them.
3. Avoid doing anything that would bring pressure to your hands.
4. If you feel any loose ends, apply glue between the gaps with a toothpick as carefully as you can and press for 5-15 seconds.

The real advantage of using false nails is that you can easily apply them on if you need to and there is less worry to chip or break them by accident. Moreover they come in variety of colors and designs that could easily match what you plan to wear on special occasions.

As long as you do not abuse your hands while you have them on, the false nails could stay on your fingers for a long time but be sure to allow your real nails some breather by resting them for a couple days to avoid nail discoloration. Pretty easy, right?

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Where can I buy OPI nail polish online?

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:52:39 +0000

Kailey asked:

Can’t find any sites that sell it. Preferebly a few different options. Thanks! (with links too please)

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Where can I find the nail polish OPI?

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:15:42 +0000

Wondering asked:

Besides at Nail Salons? Like have you seen OPI at rite-aid, longs etc?

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What is your favorite OPI nail polish color?

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:34:41 +0000

Cricket asked:

What is your favorite OPI nail polish color? I love Espresso Yourself, but I’m looking for some new colors to try!

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OPI nail polish for light/medium olive skin?

Mon, 31 May 2010 22:45:28 +0000

?M asked:

OPI nail polish for light/medium olive skin?
Any one who also has a light/medium olive skin tone what colors look nice with your skin? I want a nice red and any other colors that suit my type of skin. Also would conga-line coral look nice with my skin?

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What kind of beauty supply stores can you get OPI nail polish at?

Sun, 30 May 2010 01:12:16 +0000

sten213 asked:

Of course Sally’s didnt have it and i would really like to see all the colors in person and i want to buy one especially! Where can I buy them? please and thanks!

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