Isla Bennett
Beautiful nails are achievable without regular salon visits. A combination of a well-balanced diet, a thoughtful beauty regimen, and good personal hygiene can give you strong and healthy nails. To maintain the health of your nails, it is important to trim, file, and buff them regularly. Applying cuticle oil and nail strengtheners can also help to improve the appearance of your nails. Diet is also important for maintaining healthy nails. Eating foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can help to strengthen your nails and prevent brittleness, white spots, and ridges. Additionally, you can try natural alternatives to nail polish, such as creating your own nail polish using olive oil, vitamin E oil, beeswax, and natural colourants like turmeric, beetroot, or cocoa powder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Include protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, C, zinc, iron and calcium |
| Nail products | Cuticle oil, nail hardener, nail strengthener, natural products without acetone |
| Nail care | Trim nails once a week, use a glass file, moisturise after washing hands, use a dip powder manicure |
| Nail polish | Use polishes without toxins, or make your own with olive oil, vitamin E oil, beeswax and natural colourants |
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What You'll Learn
Trimming, filing and buffing
Trimming, filing, and buffing your nails are essential steps in achieving beautiful, healthy nails. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Trimming:
Start by gathering the proper tools: a nail clipper for your fingernails and a toenail clipper for your toenails. It is important to keep your nail-grooming tools disinfected to prevent any bacterial infections. The best time to trim your nails is after taking a bath or shower when your nails are softer and easier to cut. When trimming your fingernails, cut almost straight across the nail, and then use a nail file to slightly round the corners. This helps keep your nails strong and prevents them from catching on things. For your toenails, cut straight across to reduce the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. Trim your nails regularly, ideally once a week, to maintain a well-manicured look.
Filing:
After trimming, use a nail file to shape your nails and smooth out any uneven or rough edges. It is important to always file in the same direction, as filing back and forth can weaken and damage your nails. If you have nail extensions, you can use the coarse side of a nail buffer to file the tops and sides of your nails. This helps create a smooth surface for the subsequent buffing and polishing steps.
Buffing:
Buffing is an integral part of nail care, contributing to both the health and aesthetics of your nails. Before buffing, ensure your nails are clean and free from any old nail polish. Start buffing with the coarse side of the buffer, using gentle, unidirectional strokes to smooth out ridges and imperfections. Then, switch to the finer grit side to polish your nails and make them even smoother. Finish by using the smooth side of the buffer in little circular motions to give your nails a healthy-looking shine. Remember to buff your nails gently, as doing it too often or too forcefully can cause damage and make your nails brittle.
By following these trimming, filing, and buffing steps, you will be well on your way to achieving naturally beautiful nails that are strong and healthy.
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Choosing the right nail polish
Some companies, such as OPI, Orly, Sally Hansen, and Revlon, offer polishes that are free from these toxic chemicals. Be sure to read the labels carefully to ensure you are choosing a safe option. Water-based polishes are also a good choice, although they may not last as long as traditional nail polishes. If you're concerned about toxicity, you can even make your own natural nail polish at home using olive oil, vitamin E oil, beeswax, and natural colourants like turmeric, beetroot, or cocoa powder.
In addition to choosing non-toxic polishes, consider selecting a shade that complements your skin tone and enhances the appearance of your hands. Warmer skin tones tend to look best with warmer-toned polishes, such as shades of red, orange, and gold. Cooler skin tones, on the other hand, are flattered by cooler-toned polishes, such as shades of blue, purple, and silver.
The finish of the nail polish is also important. If you're going for a more natural look, opt for a sheer or nude polish that will give your nails a subtle shine. For a bolder statement, choose a cream or gloss finish in your favourite colour. Additionally, consider the durability of the nail polish, especially if you're looking for a long-lasting manicure. Gel and dip powder manicures are known for their durability, but they may require more time and effort for removal.
Finally, don't forget to properly care for your nails before and after polishing. This includes trimming, filing, and buffing your nails to create a smooth and even surface for the polish to adhere to. Applying cuticle oil and nail strengtheners can also help promote healthy and strong nails, ensuring that your manicure looks its best and lasts longer. Remember to remove your nail polish carefully using acetone or nail polish remover, and always moisturize your nails and cuticles afterward to prevent dryness and maintain their health.
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Applying nail polish
Prepare Your Nails
Start by shaping your nails using a nail clipper or a glass file. It is recommended to trim your nails once a week and use a file to smooth out any rough edges. Filing your nails helps to create a uniform shape and prevents chipping and peeling. If you have long nails, you may want to consider a dip powder manicure, which adds shimmer and is easier to remove than gel or acrylic manicures.
Nourish and Strengthen Your Nails
Apply cuticle oil and a nail hardener or strengthener to nourish and strengthen your nails. Cuticle oils can be purchased or made at home by mixing essential oils or combining vitamin E, coconut, almond, and olive oil. You can also try natural remedies such as mixing castor oil, salt, and wheat germ oil, and rubbing a small amount onto your nails for 3-5 minutes. Additionally, eating foods rich in biotin, zinc, and protein can promote healthy nail growth and thickness.
Choose the Right Nail Polish
Select a nail polish that aligns with your desired look. Traditional nail polishes contain toxic chemicals like toluene and formaldehyde, but several companies now offer polishes that are less toxic or water-based. These polishes are safer but may not last as long. You can also make your own natural nail polish using olive oil, vitamin E oil, beeswax, and natural colourants like turmeric or beetroot.
Apply the Nail Polish
When applying nail polish, start with a thin base coat to prevent staining and help the colour adhere better. Wait for the base coat to dry before applying the coloured polish. For the coloured polish, start with a thin layer and allow it to dry completely before adding additional coats for a more opaque finish. Consider using a dip manicure technique or nail vinyls for added design and shimmer.
Finish and Care
Seal in the colour with a top coat to add shine and protect your manicure. Cuticle oil can also be applied after painting your nails to promote healthy cuticles and nails. To maintain your manicure, avoid vigorous handwashing, and consider using gloves for chores to prevent chipping. Remember to remove your nail polish safely using acetone or natural alternatives like coconut oil or olive oil.
By following these steps, you can achieve beautifully polished nails while also caring for your nail health and appearance.
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Nail care diet
Diet is a "key factor" in maintaining good nail health, according to experts. Nails are made of the protein keratin, so a diet that includes plenty of protein, like lean meats, chicken, turkey, and eggs, can help your nails repair, grow, and maintain their strength.
If you follow a plant-based diet, quinoa and nuts are also great options for getting protein. For vegans, hemp seed protein is a good option as it is rich in protein and iron. Dark, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, and collard greens can also boost nail health because they contain calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
Other vitamins and minerals that are important for nail health include:
- Vitamin B, which reduces brittleness
- Zinc, which gets rid of white spots
- Iron, which prevents ridges from forming
- Calcium, which keeps nails strong
- Vitamins A and C, which prevent dullness and drying
Biotin is also important for nail health, as it may help strengthen brittle fingernails. Biotin-rich foods include cauliflower, eggs, beans, bananas, lentils, salmon, and peanuts.
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Using cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is a specialised product designed to nourish and moisturise the cuticles, which are the thin strips of skin at the base of your nails. Cuticle oil helps to prevent your cuticles from becoming dry, cracked, or damaged. It is typically made with a blend of natural oils, such as jojoba, almond, avocado oil, or vitamin E oil, and is sometimes enriched with vitamins and antioxidants.
Benefits of Using Cuticle Oil
By regularly applying cuticle oil, you can promote healthy nail growth, improve the overall appearance of your nails, and protect them from breakage. Cuticle oil provides essential hydration to the cuticles, preventing them from becoming dry and brittle. This helps to maintain the overall health and flexibility of the nails. The vitamins and nutrients present in the oil nourish the nails, promoting their strength and resilience. This can help prevent breakage and splitting, allowing your nails to grow longer and healthier.
How to Use Cuticle Oil
To use cuticle oil, start by applying the oil to each nail on one hand. You can drop it on, brush it on, or roll it on, depending on the type of applicator you have. Squeeze a drop of oil onto each nail, holding the dropper 2 inches (5 cm) from the nail. Then take a minute to massage the oil into your cuticles and the skin surrounding your nails. Re-apply the cuticle oil every 2 to 3 hours or as often as needed.
It is recommended that you do not apply cuticle oil before a manicure as it may prevent nail polish from adhering to your nails. Instead, use it after a manicure to rehydrate your cuticles and give them a fresh shine.
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Frequently asked questions
To make your nails look good naturally, you can try the following:
- Trim your nails once a week and use a nail file to keep them flat and smooth. Glass files are preferable to metal files as they leave the edge of the nail smooth, making it less likely to chip and peel.
- Apply cuticle oil once a day to keep your nails looking refreshed and hydrated.
- Eat foods that are rich in biotin and zinc to promote healthy nail growth.
To make your nails stronger, you can try the following:
- Apply a nail hardener or nail strengthener to harden your nails.
- Eat foods that are high in biotin to make your nails thicker.
- Rub a small amount of castor oil, salt, and wheat germ oil onto your nails. Leave for 3 to 5 minutes, then wipe off.
If you want to use nail polish, keep in mind that it typically contains toxic chemicals. However, some companies make polishes that do not contain these chemicals, so be sure to read the label carefully before purchasing. You can also make your own natural nail polish using olive oil, vitamin E oil, beeswax, and natural colourants. When removing nail polish, acetone is a more effective alternative to nail polish remover, but it can dry out your nails and skin. To combat this, you can apply a thicker oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, around your nails before removing the polish.
