Nail Care: Easy, Do-It-Yourself Manicure
Nail colors and what they mean
Putting makeup on or dressing up for a special
occasion is very easy, especially after the tips that we've been giving you
lately J, but has it ever happened to you that when you're all dressed up, some
broken or badly manicured nails ruin your image? Most likely this has happened
to you—it's happened to all of us. It's hard to get a manicure every
week, and also expensive. That's why in this article we're sending you the best
tips to do your own manicure at home and always have impeccable
hands.
1. START AT THE BEGINNING
Set a day of the week to dedicate
a few minutes to your hands. That way it will be easier to always keep them
impeccable. For me, for example, I know that Sundays are my day of "beauty at
home"; I take advantage of the day to take care of my hands, apply a facial
masque and then fix my hair. I set apart some hours every week to dedicate them
to me. It's great. Try it! What's more, you deserve it.
2. WHAT DO YOU
NEED TO DO A MANICURE AT HOME?
To do your own manicure at home,
you don't need much more than the following tools:
• Orange stick: The
orange stick removes the cuticle and the dirt from your nails. They are very
economical and are very useful. I also use them to remove nail polish from
around the fingers when I accidentally paint outside my fingernail contour. Just
soak the orange stick in nail polish remover and quickly remove the
edges.
• Nail clipper: It's better to file your nails to shape them,
but sometimes it's necessary to cut them to equal lengths. Use a nail clipper
instead of scissors.
• File or emery board: Invest in a good,
long-lasting file. The best ones are made of cardboard. Choose a size that you
like and keep it. Also, there are some files that are stronger on one side than
on the other. These are the ideal kind because that way you only have to buy
one.
• Nail buffer and polisher: Usually files have one side to file
the nail and another to give it shine. If it's not the case with yours, obtain a
nail buffer and polisher. These smooth out your nails if they're
peeling.
• Transparent treatment nail polish: You need to choose
something that works well with you. If your nails are always breaking, you need
a nail hardener, of if they're dry, you need a moisturizing treatment. Usually
any pharmacy will have an entire treatment range at very accessible prices. This
nail polish also serves as a transparent nail polish when you don't feel like
painting them.

These kits from the Dead Sea are the same thing you've seen at the mall for
over $50! They give your nails an amazing shine and healthy look in under 5
minutes! Our nail kits are the top of the line, but you pay less because we
don't have to pay the high mall rent! Even the before and after nail picture
does not do justice to how great these kits will make your nails look. Our nail
kits make for great gifts and stocking stuffers.
Each nail kit comes complete with:
Professional Nail File- to file
the nails to perfect shape
Unique Nail Buffer-
Incredible Shine and Stronger Nails
Moisturizing Cuticle Oil-
hydrates skin for soft, neat cuticles
Dead Sea Hand and Body Lotion-
4 Great Scents Available
This kit makes a GREAT gift!
• Cuticle oil: This is one of the best buys you can
make to have impeccable hands. These oils soften and moisturize the cuticle. If
you are not very good at cutting your cuticles, you can skip this step by using
this product.
• Colored nail polish: Choose the colors you like and
that coordinate with the image you want to project. For example, if you have a
special dinner, paint your nails a wine red. It looks very nice, especially if
your nails aren't too long. Or, for example, if you have a business lunch, paint
your fingernails a porcelain tone; it's very elegant and discrete. If you feel
like adding a touch of color and fun, paint your nails a dark pink. Why
not?
• Protective/strengthening polish: This foundation will help your
colored nail polish to last longer and will also add a nice shine to your
polish.
• Exfoliating lotion: You can use a body exfoliating lotion or
else you can make a natural one with sugar and olive oil. Try it—it's amazing!
This is one of my most ancient tips. I don't remember where I read it or from
whom I learned it, but the truth is that I use it every week and I love it! All
you need are two teaspoons of white sugar and four tablespoons of virgin olive
oil (if you prefer, you can use moisturizing body oil, but olive oil has worked
well for me. Mix together well and apply to your hands, rubbing them gently.
Don't forget the fingers and the nails. You can also use this exfoliating lotion
on your forearms and elbows; then rinse yourself with lukewarm water.
Your hands will feel soft and like new!
• Moisturizing hand cream: Buy
a good moisturizer for your hands, one that adapts to your needs. For example,
if your hands crack easily or you have dark spots…buy what you need.
•
Nail polish remover:
The ones that are especially good are those that
don't contain acetone, as this is very aggressive and many people are allergic
to it.
3. FOLLOW THESE STEPS
Follow these steps to take care of
your hands easily and quickly.
1. Remove all nail polish from your
nails.
2. Cut your nails to an equal length.
3. File your nails
and use the buffer to leave them smooth.
4. Use the orange stick to
eliminate any leftover dirt and to softly remove the cuticles (I don't recommend
cutting the cuticles at home, as I think this is very difficult and a job best
left to professionals. I know that some of you do this. If you already do this
and you're happy with the result, continue doing so. If not, just try to soften
them with cuticle oil.)
5. Exfoliate your hands. Follow the advice we
gave you previously. You'll see the result immediately.
6. Dry your hands
well. This step is very important. If you've exfoliated your hands with olive
oil and you don't dry your hands off well, especially the nails, the nail polish
will not last long. Remember to dry yourself carefully.
7. Paint
your nails. Follow this order: treatment foundation, colored nail polish,
another coat of colored nail polish, and protective/strengthening nail polish. I
know, it's a lot of coats, but remember that you want your nails to look perfect
all week long.
8. Moisturize your hands. Lastly and once at least an hour
has gone by (yes, one hour—if not, after all the effort, your nails will be
immediately ruined when you apply the moisturizer), moisturize your hands
carefully. You will feel like new!
PRACTICAL ADVICE
• Paint your
fingernails while you watch TV or listen to music or read a magazine. Take some
time to relax, and take advantage of it while the polish dries.
• You can
follow the majority of these steps on your feet as well. The exfoliating cream
is great for your feet…
• Once a month, cover your hands in a
moisturizing face masque and put on some cotton gloves. Sleep in them, and the
next day your hands will feel like new.
• Do this manicure every
two months. It's a pleasant luxury, and that way your hands will need much less
care, especially the cuticles.
• Whenever a cuticle acts up, apply oil on
it. You will see how upon moisturizing it, it will immediately soften and won't
bother you.
• Remember: Our hands are an important part of our personal
image. Don't neglect them!
Maria Llorente is a
qualified Make Up Artist and beauty expert who writes on health and beauty subjects.
Copyright Maria Llorente - http://www.tuimagenpersonal.com
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