05 September, 2009

Nail Manicure Tips: Step By Step

Nail Manicure Tips


A weekly manicure can do wonders for your nails and cuticles. Not only will a weekly manicure promote faster nail growth, your nails will also become stronger with each manicure. Treat yourself and have a manicure professional done. The usual cost ranges from $10 upwards to $20, plus the manicurists' tip and the appointment lasts about 30-45 minutes with drying time. If going to the nail salon is not an option, opt to give yourself a manicure at home. Do it yourself Manicures, not only make your hands look great, they're easy to do!





Do it yourself manicure .......


1. Remove any old nail polish.

2. Shape the nail, using a file or emery board. File each nail tip from corner to center; do not file in a see-saw motion with the emery board because doing so can cause ridges in the nail and nail splitting. By filing nails to a point...this will make nails weak. A rounded or square form is the strongest.

3. Soak the hands in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to remove dirt. This will also soften cuticles and make it easier to push cuticles back. Clean under free edge of nail with orangewood stick.

4. The cuticle is the skin that grows from the finger onto the base of the nail (nail root). Push the cuticle gently back. Leaving the cuticle intact helps to prevent infection of the nail growing tissue. NEVER cut cuticles! This can cause the nail to die if done improperly!

5. Apply a base coat. We highly recommend calcium gel. This works wonders to help nails grow faster and hardens as well. Allow to dry for a minute or two. Next apply 2 coats of favorite polish. Then finish with a shine sealer. Allow nails to fully dry for at least an hour.

6. Finally, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to the hands and cuticles. This will help prevent splitting of the nails.




























Natural recipes for nail care .......


Hand & Foot Exfoliator

Ingredients:
2 Tlbsp of fine sea salt
2 heaped tsp fine oatmeal (same kind as in your cupboard)
1 tsp. baking soda
Directions:
Combine ingredients, and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to skin and rub gently. Rinse and gently pat dry.


Cuticle Cream


Ingredients:
1 Tsp. natural clay
1 tsp. olive oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
Mix into a paste and put into a sterile ointment jar or small pot. Wash and clean old make up jars, they make great storage containers! Massage into nails and cuticles.




Lemon & Honey Cuticle Soak

Ingredients:
2 tsp.lemon juice
1 tsp.honey
1/2 cup very warm water


Directions:
Mix honey and lemon juice to combine well in a bowl big enough to fit both tips of hands in. Add water and mix. Next, soak finger nails in the mixture for 5 minutes. Blot dry then gently push cuticles back using a orangewood cuticle stick. Finish with your favorite lotion.

Honey Hand Exfoliator

Ingredients:
1 tbsp honey
1 tablespoon cornmeal or finely grated oatmeal
2 tbsp. of whipping cream
2 drops lemon essential oil or an acidtic oil


Directions:
Combine ingredients in a small jar. Apply to hands or feet and rub gently. For added softness, leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and gently pat dry. May be stored for 2 weeks in refrigerator.


Cuticle Softener

Ingredients:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. vitamin E oil


Directions:
Combine and massage into nails and cuticles.

Minty fresh nail Whitener

Ingredients:
2 tsp.whitening tooth paste
1 tsp.lemon juice

Directions:
Mix ingredients to form a paste. Apply to nails and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse well. The lemon removes stains and the tooth paste will whiten and buff nail beds.

Tips for storage:
Since these are all natural recipes, we do not add any preservatives. Store in refrigerator for as long as you would normally keep fruit. Maximum 2 weeks, sealed.

Ideas for storage:
1 baby food jars
2 make up jars such as the ones that eye shadows come in or foundation jars
3 skin care jars, glass

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