Nail Care Tips

Looking after your own natural nails or freshly enhanced nails can be daunting for some, although the results of looking after your nails with some inexpensive items will always pay off in great results eventually. Working in the nail industry means that I have seen and worked with all kinds of nail types and shapes, missing nails, jagged, and severely bitten to say the least.. the main thing to remember is that all nail types are valid and all nail types can see an improvement with a little care and attention, and perhaps a little kick to any habit that does not serve you well. 

Here are my nail tips for any nail type to help keep you going..

☆ Invest in a suitable nail oil.

It does not have to cost the earth, although it does pay to check any allergies against the ingredients first as many nail oils contain nut oils like almond in them. I'm old school and still prefer a three phase nail oil that was widely available in the late 90's. If you are looking for something that will bring on the growth of the natural nail and keep the surrounding skin moisturised, I do recommend glycerine, grape, and sweet almond oils.. often found in my three phase oil. Some of these oils can be sticky but the pros outweigh the cons in my book. Keep your nail oil handy in or on your bedside cabinet and apply just before you catch those essential Zzz's for a nourishing overnight nail and surrounding skin boost. 

Nail oil also helps to keep nail enhancements like gel and acrylic going for that little bit longer, as well as giving your baby cells a boost before they travel up to become the natural nail and nail bed. Nail oil was an absolute must for anyone having acrylic or gel extension enhancements back in the day, some feel that they do not need it although I would highly recommend it either way.

☆ Forgo picking.

It is very enticing to have a pick, especially if you are on a long journey or maybe a little nervous in the background of your brain activity - speaking from past experience. Picking the skin around the nails, including the skin folds (some of which are often mistakenly called cuticles), makes this skin grow back in an aggressive and sometimes brittle manner. If you do not want to be in a cycle of overgrowing hard skin and regular picking, resist the pick and apply some nail oil instead.. or even count some fluffy clouds that go by on your journey - works for me.. let me know how you get on if you try this self distraction technique.

☆ Always have a coating on the Natural Nail.

The natural nail plate absorbs moisture, including water, which can sometimes lead to premature breakage and also dryness of the natural nail due to the cycle of the nail softening, and then drying out through evaporation, which takes all of the natural nail oils with it. A coat of simple, clear nail polish will do a fine job of protecting nails from this cycle if no colour is wanted. This coat will act as a barrier to fluids and prolong the growth of the natural nail. Try it and see how your nails change if this is your eye opening tip. Let me know about your results.

☆ Jewels not Tools.

Talented Rebecca Orme who led an EzFlow Acrylic and Gel Enhancement series of education at one time not only dazzled us attendees with her award winning glitter acrylic creations, she also repeated that our creations to be were Jewels and not Tools. From opening cans, levering stubborn zips, to scraping away those darned sticky labels, natural nail or enhanced nail, our nails should never be used as tools. The only exception I went on to discover was for guitarists who would request custom strengthened acrylic thumb nails to enhance their own craft... but either way, your nails are jewels not tools.

☆ Keep your edges sealed.

The edge of your natural nail is called the free edge. Like us humans, the free edge is not always free.. in the instance of well bitten down nails this will certainly be the case until they get growing with nail oil application, but that's okay. If you have jagged edges it always pays to clip the nail to the same length, and or file the nail from the outside in from each side (or sidewall professionally). This will keep everything smooth and leave less opportunity for any breaks in the natural nail which not only ruins fabrics if you catch them with it, but will also slow down your nail growth and nail care process.

☆ Tomorrow is another day.

Bitten nails happen. Do not beat yourself up too much about it and remember that tomorrow is another day. Nail biting is something that I myself did as a nervous child coming from a marginalised background. I myself only managed to give up when I was shown the light by someone who had enough care to guide me to do so, although this lovely lady called Sandra often reminded a teenage me that I could only have done it myself. Tomorrow is another day and nails will grow back. Keep going.

I hope that you will enjoy implementing these professional nail care tips, just a few of what I would say are essential for looking after your own nails. It does not have to cost the earth, and if finances do allow and of course if preferred, a regular professional manicure every two weeks with your local Nail Technician is highly recommended. Not only does a regular professional manicure cover all bases, it also elevates your self care a little by allowing somebody else to complete the process for you.

Do you have any comments or questions about these nail care tips? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Rachel x