How To Manicure Nail Care Tips & Advice

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Knowing how to correctly file and care for your nails & cuticles, not only results in healthy nails, but is the outward sign of an organized person. Use these nailcare tips so you may always reach to shake another's hand with confidence.

QUESTION: What does a healthy, well-manicured nail look like?

QUESTION: How do I groom for my cuticles and keep them healthy?

QUESTION: How do I prevent dry & cracking nails?

QUESTION: How can I stop breaking & chipping my nails?

QUESTION: What is the proper technique and tool for filing nails?

QUESTION: How do I keep my nail polish fresh-looking and chip-free?

QUESTION: What does a healthy, well-manicured nail look like?

ANSWER: Healthy looking nails should be smooth, curved, void of any spotting, and should not have any hollows or ridges. Make sure your nails are completely dry before you file them. Shape your nails with a fine emery board, do not use any type of metal file. When filing, try to keep the shape of your nails oval not pointed, thus making the nails less susceptible to breakage.

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QUESTION: How do I groom for my cuticles and keep them healthy?

ANSWER: The cuticle acts as a seal between the finger and the nail. Gently exfoliating the dry, rough, cuticle skin layers by actually sloughing off the dead outer layers exposes new and vibrant skin. This new healthy skin protects the nails matrix which is the growth center of the nail and should be treated with care. Don't over manicure your cuticles. Overgrooming the cuticle damages the cuticle and causes it to thicken and overgrow. Never use metal or sharp instruments on your cuticles.

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QUESTION: How do I prevent dry & cracking nails?

ANSWER: Consistent moisturizing will keep your nails & cuticles looking neat and tidy. Unfortunately, hand creams aren't emollient enough to keep cuticles from cracking and drying out, so you'll need added protection. The best prevention to dry and cracking nails & cuticles is to apply a drop an Jojoba oil or Avocado oil onto each fingernail. Gently push each cuticle back with your fingertips as you rub in the oil. Repeat after washing or when hands begin to feel dry.

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QUESTION: How can I stop breaking & chipping my nails?

ANSWER: Treat nails as if they have just been polished. Don't use nails for such things as scraping, picking, pulling or opening things. Use the pads of fingertips instead of the nails. Doing so will not only protect your nails from breaking, chipping or peeling, but will make your hand movements appear more graceful as well!

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QUESTION: What is the proper technique and tool for filing nails?

ANSWER: The key to strong, healthy and beautiful-looking nails is, curiously enough, the angle at which they are filed. Therefore, it is important to obtain a file that provides the proper filing angle to smooth nail edges and remove snags. This position keeps the top layer of the nail the longest and helps prevent "peeling," which can be caused by improper filing. The proper file gives nails a smooth edge without taking off days or even weeks of growth, as other files can.

Never file deep into the corners of the nail. Filing the corners weakens the sides of the nail, which are very important for overall strength. Nails permitted to grow out at the sides appear longer and wear better.

Note: Be cautious of contact with skin while filing nails. Most nail files are made entirely of abrasive material.

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QUESTION: How do I keep my nail polish fresh-looking and chip-free?

ANSWER: Your nail polish regimen should consist of 4 component that will provide your nails with a healthy shine and prevent easy chipping. These four layers of nail polish components are: a ridge-filling base coat, two coats of color (laqcuer or enamel) and a protective top coat in order to maintain their strength and add shine.

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Beauty Products Supply Store Cosmetology Staff