How to Keep Your Nails Long and Strong

Healthy long and strong nails are the only way to beautiful looking hands and a gorgeous manicure. Chapped nails, discolored nails or weak, flexible nails have an unpleasant effect over the way they look. They look unaesthetic and need proper care ion order to revert to their natural healthy state.

Nails can become brittle due to lack of nutrients in our body or improper nail care. Problematic nails can also show signs of certain diseases like respiratory problems, bacteria development or other health problems.

In order to prevent or treat any nail problems you need to make sure you:

• eat healthy in order for the nails to get all the nutrients they need in order to grow, maintain their transparency and healthy shine

• take pills that are especially designed to promote healthy nail growth. They can be purchased from any drug store without prescription and they are very effective

• avoid injuring and biting your nails because your nails grow at a slow pace

trim your nails and care for them regularly in order to smooth out the edges of the nail and prevent them from breaking

• make sure you moisturize your nails to prevent them from becoming dull looking. Nails need moisturizer too, especially after using an acetone nail polish remover

• if your nails are soft and flexible apply a solution of vitamin B on them. This will make them stronger

• apply a nail hardener when you are trying to grow out your nail. Nail polishes that promote nail growth are very effective because they harden soft nails, preventing them from breaking easily

• try to use nail polish remover as rarely as possible because they damage the nail. Try to use a nail polish remover that is acetone free whenever you want to remove the nail polish off your nails

Take care of your nails because they too need maintenance and care like every other part of your body. This is the only way your nails will look their best, and your manicure will be well groomed and gorgeous.

Nail Manicure

Your nails need to be taken care of too. Giving your nails a manicure is a good way to take care of them and pamper them. Given below are the steps to achieve the perfect manicure at home.

• To begin with remove all traces of your nail polish. Use as many cotton balls as needed.
• Use a nail file or an emery board to shape your nails. File in one direction only. Do not use the seesaw motion. To shorten the nail, use the course side of the emery board first and finish with the finely textured side.
• Work on your nails carefully and with respect. Do not go overboard with your manicure.
• To check if your nails are well done run your nails over a pair of old pantyhose. Your nails should not snag the hose.
• Apply cuticle remover cream and gently push back the cuticles using a cotton bud. Never cut your cuticles. Massage away dead skin using circular movements.
• Apply hand lotion and massage your palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand. This will improve blood circulation. Work your way all over your hand and repeat with your other hand.
• Before you paint your nails, clean them with an orange stick that has been wrapped with cotton and dipped in nail polish remover and rub over the surface of the nail. Remove any creamy residue, if there is none then you can polish your nails.
• While polishing your nails being in the center of your nail. Paint one stroke down the center and then the sides of the nail. You should paint a nail in three strokes. Let it dry completely before applying the second coat.
• Apply color after your nails are completely dry. Use a base coat before applying nail polish. Then apply a color of your choice and do not apply a new coat before the previous one dries. You should apply three coats of color. After applying color apply topcoat and it will give added protection and help your nail color to last longer without chipping.
• Store nail polish in the fridge. To prevent the cap from sticking apply a little vaseline around it.