How to Take Care of Your Nails

So I've written this blog on my website before but I thought it would be a great idea to re-post it here on my blog since lately I've been a lot more on here. Winter is here and usually around this time of the year because of the cold weather our nails tend to get brittle! So here are some great ways to prevent that Oh! and a guide on doing a manicure on yourself at home!
 

1- Eat healthy! Our nails are a reflection of what we eat. Our nails are composed of many minerals. 

•  Drink and eat plenty of milk products.
• Take vitamins that contain calcium, vitamin A, phosphorous, zinc, folic acid, silica, vitamin C
• Eat vegetables
• Almonds
• Fruits
• Lots of water!
• Vitamin B12 leads to dryness and darkening of nails.

2- Personal Hygiene! Obviously this is very important, you want to make sure to keep your whole self clean, but you cannot forget about one of the most important places in our bodies that we need to keep clean, our nails! Nails carry tons of germs and disease causing bacteria of stuff we've been touching.

•  Trim your nails regularly!
• Wash your hands and massage soap near your nails and cuticles.
• Remove dead skin around nails using a pumice stone.
• Do not wash your hands with either too hot or too cold water.
• Have a monthly manicure done by a professional.

3- Keep nails well moisturized! Moisturizers containing collagen and vitamin E which are really good for the nails. They are most effective if put on after soaking your nails in warm water and patting dry

• Apply moisturizer while watching T.V., after dinner, in the morning, after taking a shower etc.
• Try massaging hot vitamin E oil or castor oil once a week for smoother fingers and nails!
• Massage nail serum which stimulates circulation and helps nails grow faster.

4- Avoid harsh chemicals! harsh chemicals make your nails brittle and weak.

•  Use a base coat before applying paint.
• Use non-acetone nail polish removers and use acetate nail polish removers instead.
• Apply vinegar on your nails to make nail polishes last longer!

5- How to get a manicure at home! Sometimes we feel lazy to go out, or we don't trust others with our nails, just like sometimes we don't have enough money to go and pay for a $40 manicure at a nail salon. That's why here are some steps and tips on how to make yourself a manicure at home!
You would need:
1. Warm water
2. Cuticle cream
3. Manicure scissor
4. Nail cutter
5. Nail filer
6. Nail brush
7. Nail polish remover
8. Base coat
9. Nail polish

• To begin with, make sure all your tools are clean and sterilized.
• Remove your old nail polish, using cotton ball and nail polish remover(prefer non acetone nail polish remover)
• Then proceed towards shaping your nails, never file your nails when wet (they can break too easily).you can shape your nails in either of these 4 basic shapes: round, square, oval and pointed. The shape of the nail should conform to the shape of finger. File your nails in one direction. Back and forth motion is a big no no.
• Soak your nails in soapy lukewarm water for 5 to 10 minutes, you can add e few drops of essential oil of any fragrances of your chance (my personal favorite is vanilla!), Epson salt and few drops of lemon juice (it doesn't stain your nails).
• Apply cuticle cream or Vaseline and push your cuticles back with help of ear bud. Apply cream or Vaseline and massage your hands well. Avoid cutting cuticles because It's painful and may cause infections.
• Wash your nails using a nail brush.
• Exfoliate your skin taking soapy water and sugar to get rid of dead skin.
• Soak your hands again.
• Pat dry your hands and massage with good quantities of cream.
• Apply base coat, let it dry follows by nail color of your choice.

Voila you have beautiful looking, smooth and soft healthy hands!