Hand and Nail Care
Give Yourself A Salon-Style Manicure
Since the appearance of your hands says a lot about you, it is no wonder that more and more women (and men for that matter) are opting to have salon manicures. These luxurious treatments for your hands can do wonders for making your appearance more youthful and building your self-confidence. The downside of such trips to a nail shop is that they take a lot of your time and can get very expensive. When you consider that most manicures take between 1 ½ and 2 hours and run $30 or more, salon treatments become costly indeed. Multiply that by the need to attend to your nails every week, and many people find salon visits prohibitive. But, it is really not as difficult as you think to get a great manicure in the privacy of your own home. When you gather the right nail care products and implements, and learn how to use them, you can keep your hands looking young and well tended. If you can only afford to go to a professional manicurist once or twice a month, use these tips to keep your hands looking great in between visits. Better yet, put all the money you were spending on manicures into a special fund and use it for a Caribbean vacation! Sound good? Here are some things you need to know to get started.
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First, assemble your essential supplies. You will need some good clippers or trimmers for shaping your nails. Be sure they are nice and sharp, as cutting with a dull tool can leave your nails ragged. Orangewood sticks are good for pushing back cuticles and cleaning under the nails. You will need a high quality file that is not too coarse for shaping your natural nails. All files are given a number that indicates their coarseness. Look for one that is rated 240 or above and is preferably not metal. A nailbrush is nice for a pre-manicure cleansing. You will also want some polish remover, a bowl and mild soap for soaking your fingertips, and base coat, polish and topcoat in your choice of colors.
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Other items that are convenient but optional include: cuticle remover (for dry or neglected cuticles), nail bleach (for stained or discolored nails), and polish dryer (if you are in a hurry).
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Put everything within easy reach and find a table or lapboard to provide sturdy support for your hands. Turn on some music or your favorite TV program and plan to relax while you work.
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Be sure you remove all old polish with acetone remover, and then shape them gently with a file. Go in only one direction, from the outside to the center of the nail. Sawing back and forth can cause the nail plate to splinter or fray.
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Soak your fingertips for 5-10 minutes in a bowl filled with warm water and a gentle soap. While your cuticles are damp and pliable, push them back gently with your orangewood stick. Remember that the cuticle is the part of your nail that protects it from getting infected by bacteria or fungus, so treat it gently.
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When you are happy with the shape of your nail, dry your hands thoroughly and you are ready for polish. First, use a base coat that will adhere firmly to your nail and provide a good surface for the colored enamel to stick to. When it is dry, apply two coats of your chosen color, allowing plenty of drying time between the layers. Finish off with a clear topcoat that will help your manicure last longer. Many people reapply the topcoat every day or two, so that the color will not chip or peel.
The last step is to slather your hands and cuticles with a good moisturizer. Be aware that the enamel may be dry to the touch in 15 minutes or so, but it will not be completely hardened for at least an hour. That’s the perfect reason to settle down with a good book or video. Your hands will look like you spent hours at a salon, and your self-confidence and youthful vigor will be enhanced.
More 'Hand and Nail Care' Advice:
- Give Yourself a Salon-Style Manicure
- Attention Gardeners: Your Hands Can Look Great
- Gardeners: Use Natural Ingredients to Keep Your Hands Looking Great
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