© Photographer: Saras66 | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Another great look for your nails for those hot summer months are the various neon colors. With neon colors you can wear anything from orange to green. Don’t feel compelled to match your polish to your outfit. Actually neon nails look better as a stand alone color accessory.
© Photographer: Valuavitaly | Agency: Dreamstime.com
The best red nail polish to wear is a true red color. Avoid reds that are too orange or too blue. Also, use a red nail polish with a thicker consistency for better coverage.
© Photographer: Valuavitaly | Agency: Dreamstime.com
By Donna Kelly
Let’s be honest, a beautiful set of, long, natural healthy nails looks classy and sexy. Immaculately manicured long nails say a lot about your personal style and confidence. We know growing long, healthy nails can be a challenge. Our simple tips show how you too can have a beautiful set of long natural nails.
First a quick biology lesson:
Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle called the matrix. The matrix is the living part of the nail. Your cuticle is the layer of skin that protects the matrix so the cuticle is very important for nail health and growth. As new nail cells grow in the matrix, older nail cells are pushed out toward your fingertips and become hard and compacted. Heredity and health determine how fast nails grow but nails typically grow about 0.1 millimeter a day, which means that it takes a fingernail about four to six months to fully regenerate. Healthy nails are smooth, without ridges or grooves. They’re uniform in colour and consistency and free of spots or discoloration.
Did you know: Nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter, nails on your dominant hand grow faster, and men’s nails grow more quickly than women’s, except when a woman is pregnant when nail growth speeds up.
How long should my nails be ?
This is obviously very much a matter of personal choice but a couple of things to bear in mind:
The optimum practical length for your nails depends on your activities and your lifestyle. In general the nail tip should extend no further than one third of the body of the nail.
Nails break less often when they are all of equal length and shaped square, oval, or round.
Tips on growing, long and healthy natural nails:
Long nails tip 1: Don’t use your nails as tools.
Rather than using your nails use other parts of your hand, or a pen, to perform tasks like dialing the phone. Don’t pick, poke or scrape with your nails and especially avoid opening soft drink cans with your nails.
Long nails tip 2: Wear gloves.
Detergents are particularly harsh on your nails and can cause splitting and peeling. Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. You should also wear gloves when gardening to protect your nails from infection and prevent dryness, damage, and loss of natural oils.
Long nails tip 3: Don’t bit your nails or pick at your cuticles.
Aside from the obvious reason of biting shortening your nails these habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter the nail bed and cause an infection. Remember your nails grow slowly so an injured nail retains signs of damage for several months.
Long nails tip 4: Look after your cuticles.
The cuticle is a barrier that keeps bacteria from the nail matrix, where new cells are generated, so it should not be cut or trimmed. On the other hand you do want to keep cuticles from becoming overgrown, which suffocates nail growth. If your cuticle has grown out on to the nail plate, after sufficiently softening your cuticles in warm water, very gently use a cuticle pusher to push your cuticles back. As well as pushing your cuticles back this will help to remove dead skin and debris that may have accumulated. Hold the cuticle pusher at an angle, and use tiny circular movements, so that you are as gentle and careful as possible and do not damage the cuticle. When you have finished doesn’t forget to moisturize your hands.
Long nails tip 5: Look after your nails.
Trim fingernails and clean under the nails regularly. Use manicure scissors or clippers and a nail file to smooth nail edges. Never pull off hangnails – doing so almost always results in ripping living tissue. Clip hangnails off, leaving a slight angle outward.
Long nails tip 6: Caring for brittle nails.
Trim brittle nails after a bath, or a 15 minute hand soak in bath oil, and then apply a moisturiser. Don’t use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Instead, touch up the nail polish. When you do need to use a nail polish remover avoid those that use acetone, which dries out nails. Also consider using a nail strengthener and growth formula.
Long nails tip 7: The role of diet.
Unless your diet is deficient in protein and vitamins dietary changes that supposedly strengthen nails won’t work. Your nails can however offer telltale signs of dietary problems such as:
Lack of vitamin A and calcium causing dryness and brittleness.
Lack of protein, folic acid and vitamin C causing hang nails
White bands across the nails caused by protein deficiency.
A lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid causing splitting nails.
Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 leading to excessive dryness, very rounded and curved ends and darkening of nails.
Insufficient zinc causing development of white spots on the nails.
Red skin around your cuticles can be caused by poor metabolism of essential fatty acids.
If you are concerned that your diet may not be balanced and healthy you should consult a medical or nutritional professional.
Long nails tip 8: Moisturise your nails.
Nails need moisture just like your hands do. Rub lotion into your nails when moisturising your hands. Be sure to apply moisturiser each time you wash your hands
Long nails tip 9: Use coloured nail polish.
Use coloured nail polish while you are growing your nails. If you prefer a softer look, try a sheer shade. Coloured nail polish helps you become more aware of your hands and how to use them in a way that keeps your nail polish undamaged and hence your nails protected. It also makes chips easier to spot so that you can make immediate repairs.
Long, beautiful natural nails take commitment and special care to grow and maintain. Be patient, the average nail takes 3 to 6 months to grow.
Frequently asked questions:
My nails are weak. What can I do to strengthen them?
Unfortunately, if you have naturally weak nails then it’s probably hereditary and you can’t permanently change them. You can, however, do things to make them stronger. Try a nail strengthener and growth formula. Many women are confused about how to use these products, so here are a few tips:
Make sure you apply a thin coat. Because you’ll be applying it daily you don’t want it to build up too much. If you’re at the very beginning stages of growing out your nails only use a strengthener and growth formula on your nail plate and apply it every day. Once your nails start to protrude, and you want to apply nail polish, use the strengthener and growth formula as a base coat and as a top coat.
Why do I have ridges in my nails?
Ridges or corrugations (referred to as beau’s lines) in nails occur when nail growth is uneven, usually because of illness or injury. Gentle buffing can minimize ridges. A Ridge Filler will also help to level the nail surface, smoothing out shallow ridges and other imperfections.
What causes my nails to turn yellow and how can I get rid of the yellow stains?
Darker coloured nail polish can cause a chemical reaction between the nail polish’s coloring agent and the nail plate. This can cause nails to develop a yellowish color. While it is different for every person this reaction can occur in a matter of days or within weeks of wearing the nail colour. To prevent nails from yellowing always use a base coat before applying nail polish. Not only will this prevent staining but it can also extend the life of the nail polish. For already yellow nails soak nails in a solution of 1/2 cup of water and the juice of one lemon for up to 15 minutes, once a week
Why are my nails so flaky around the cuticle beds? What causes this?
Unless you have an allergy to something you are handling it is likely to be dryness which is the cause. It is important to correct this since, as mentioned, cuticles are very important for nail health. You should regularly moisturize your cuticles, and hands.
My nails can grow, but after a while they begin to peel and stop growing. What can I do to stop this?
Many women want long, well-shaped nails, but the stresses of daily life and work may make them a challenge to grow. Your nails could potentially benefit from additional protection when they reach more vulnerable lengths. A nail strengthener and growth formula could assist.
What causes thin nails and what can make them stronger?
When your general health is good and you are not handling strong chemicals that might affect the nails, it is likely to be heredity that produces thin nails. Your nails could also potentially benefit from a nail strengthener and growth formula.
Donna is a trained makeup artist with her own beauty business. As both a business women and a mom with 2 children Donna understands the time pressures on women today and through this, and other articles, has endeavored to take the complexity out of looking great with some “busy women friendly” beauty tips and advice. If you would like to read more of Donna’s articles check out her website: http://www.coloursandscents.co.nz
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Kelly
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Gel Nails – Nail Art Ideas to Decorate Your Nails This Season
By Krill B
Designer nails can really make you look fashionable and chic. Nail art is one way to make your nails look really good and it lets you experiment with as many designs as the occasions or seasons demand. Nail art is best done by a professional, but you can also give the simpler designs a try at home with your friends. As you get better with the designs you will be able to create even complex designs with ease and unleash your creativity.
Nail art has emerged as one of the most popular nail beautifying ideas among the teens today. They stop at nothing to get the latest look and express their ideas through nail art. Nail paint of varied hues teamed with colorful stones, stickers, beads are a hot favorite. Nail jewellery like dangles are also used to create a unique look and attract a lot of attention.
The style, color and design selected for decorating your nails can vary either by season, occasion or even your mood. Free hand designs are really sought after as they are easy to create on your own without spending too much. However, should you decide to go in for the more intricate designs, you can opt for a French manicure with gel nail art.
As the holiday season nears, some cool nail art designs to pep up the spirit for Christmas can be to use red or white nail paint and then decorate your nails with tiny Christmas trees, holly leaves, bells, candy canes or even a little Santa with a toothpick. You can also add glitter to your nails to make them look festive and glamorous.
Winter calls for shiny metallic finish for the nails and then painting snowflakes with white nail paint on them. When it is Halloween, you can use black varnish as a base coat and then make figures of skulls, Jack o Lantern, ghosts and various Halloween figures.
If you think animal prints go well with your outfit, you can go for the Zebra, Dalmatian or Tiger designs. A white nail base with appropriate color stripes or dots to represent the animal and you are done with your look.
Marine nail art can make you look really cool. Blue base paint with transparent varnish can create a sea like look. You can use various colors for the fish and a little bit of green paint for the weeds. Sea horses and dolphins also look really good.
Nature can also be represented on your nails really beautifully. Flowers of different hues in all shades dark and light can be experimented with and never go out of style. You can team up nail art flowers with any outfit and carry if off with ease.
Other nail art forms which you can do are the Hawaiian theme. Though a little difficult and may require professional help for the hula dancers, you can do some flowers, garlands and beach scenes yourself.
If you are getting married, bridal nail art should surely be a part of your nail beautifying session. A manicure followed by pink varnish as a base and then using your imagination to paint tiny white flowers would make your nails look really delicate and ready for your wedding gown.
Nail art is for everyone who wants to look good and show off their creative talents on their nails. It is a great way to attract attention and also maintain your nails at the same time. Remember to wear gloves while gardening, apply cuticle oil for moisturizing your nails and of course apply your top coat often to maintain the look you have so painstakingly created.
Take advantage of our great Gel-Nails offers and deals every week and update yourself with what’s the latest and the most popular in the gel nails trend. Check out our new Gel Nail Art for a shopping experience that’s filled with fun, variety, exclusivity, and surprises with new gel nails additions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krill_B
http://EzineArticles.com/?Gel-Nails—Nail-Art-Ideas-to-Decorate-Your-Nails-This-Season&id=3446323
© Photographer: Lotophagi | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Perhaps you’ve noticed that when you polish your nails at a professional salon, it comes out perfectly well as they have this smooth and shiny finish unlike when you do them at home. Another thing that perhaps you’ve noticed is that when a professional applies nail polish on you, it doesn’t seem to slide off or chip like when you do it yourself. If you’re a fan of practicing things on your own, this article will share with you the secret behind the smooth shiny finish on the nails done by professionals.
- First off, get yourself a nail buffer for only $3 at any retail store or beauty store out there. Nail buffers are becoming very popular today although many women out there are yet to know how necessary they really are. A nail buffer is a nail file found either in black or white and is squarely shaped. Each side of the buffer features various different levels of coarseness. The course side is ideal for your toenails while the finer side is ideal for your fingernails. A nail buffer is used to remove unwanted nail polish from the feet and hands by simply running it back and forth on each nail. Spent time on each of your nails to give you an even and smooth finish. Nail buffers are a replacement of the electronic triangular nail buffers that professionals in the salon use.
- Once you smoothen your nail surface, you can then select a color of nail polish that suits you and use it to paint your toes. As a rule of thumb, only dip into the nail polish bottle 2-3 times for each nail, otherwise you’ll end up with an uneven polish. It’s advisable to take out sufficient nail polish from the bottle once than going back for more each time as it will mean you applying a lot of strokes on a single nail. Be advised that the fewer the strokes that you’ll use, the more guaranteed smooth nails you’ll have. Simply take a sufficient amount of polish at the tip of your brush, place it on the nail and smoothen it evenly. This way, you’ll not be forced to go back for more polish to apply for a second coat. As a quick tip, if you’re in a rush to apply nail polish and get out of the house, never apply a thick coat as it will take more time to dry meaning that if it isn’t fully dry, chances of smudging are very high.
- Once you’ve applied your nail polish evenly, allow it to dry by hanging them out in the air. This will also prevent the nails from chipping as well as prevent the nail polish from slipping away. If you’re not applying the nail polish in a rush, you might want to wait for up to an hour for it to dry completely so that you can apply a clear coat on top of the polish. The above mentioned advice will help you get the shiny nails that you’ve always yearned for and admired. Simply let the nails dry up completely and then apply the clear coat on top. If you can, buy an anti-chipping nail polish, like the one by Sally Hansen.
- Your last step to attaining shiny smooth nails is to avoid smudging the nails. Painting nails takes a lot of time and effort hence you wouldn’t want to result with smudged ugly nails. Never do the following before your nails dry up completely:
1. Never take a shower right after painting the nails
2. Never let the nails bang or worse still come in contact with anything before they dry up
3. Never wear closed shoes for several hours until the nails dry up. Sandals and flip-flops are the ideal shoes to wear.
If you’re really in a hurry and still want to have glamorous shiny nails, sprinkle on the nails some few drops of water or purchase a nail-drying machine that is available in the stores or better still, purchase a quick-drying nail polish, a nail drying spray like that offered by Sally Hansen or better still, apply a light/thin coat of nail polish.
Once you follow this advice to the letter, expect to get numerous compliments from people who think that you’re spending a huge amount of time and money on professional salons. Just follow the advice and you’re sure to notice a change in how your nails will appear. The silky shine will make them pop out and attractive. Needless to mention, you’ll boost your self-confidence knowing and telling people that you did the nails yourself, at the comfort of your home.
© Photographer: Molka | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Importance of well groomed clean nails
It’s how you present your personality to everyone else, that make you an appealing person. One aspect that people will always check in other is cleanliness and no where is this more obvious than in the way you keep your nails. If you have dirty nails, it can really put off people. Beyond just keeping up appearances, clean nails are important for several important factors. Here is a look into what these are:
Clean nails represent hygiene. If you keep your nails dirty, your health can get affected, when you happen to eat food and so on. if you happen to accidentally scratch your hands or legs with dirty nail, you can get a wound infected by dirty nails.
At times, you can land up with nail disease. This problem is often unnoticed, but of you take care to clean your nails from a nail technician, they will find this out and offer treatment.
Having clean nails, enhance your appearance. If you wear smart clothes and put on make-up like a professional, you don’t want your appearance undone because of dirty nails. Clean, well-shaped, polished nails can make a beautiful impression on everyone who is looking at you, talking to you and getting to know you.
Cleaning nails, through a good manicure or a pedicure can actually help to relieve stress. This is because along with cleaning your nails and shaping them, a manicure or a pedicure also involves massaging your hands and legs which makes you very relaxed.
People with clean and well-done nails are considered to be attentive, organized and also well-groomed. They are people who pay attention to things and give importance ton cleanliness, hygine and also have a healthy and astute mind. When you have dirty nails, you are showing that you don’t have such qualities and it reflects a kind of negative image about you.
Now that we have gone over the importance of having clean nails, how can you take steps to ensure that your nails are clean, well-shaped and in healthy condition? A lot of the damage that we see happening to nails is because of how we handle out hands, the food we eat and the kind of lotions and other substance that tend to e used on our hands or fall on our hands during daily work
Let’s look into the many cause of nail damage and how to avoid them:
Most often when you do household chores you tend to keep your hands wet for a long time or u you use harsh detergents as part of your daily house work. These actions spoil your nail texture and make them brittle. A better alternative is using hand gloves when doing such tasks.
Many-a-time, you would have used your nail as a sort of tool, in your daily chores. In fact, many people h grow their nails only for this. Nails should not be used as tool, as they will chip, break away and look bad. Chipped nails can be unnecessarily hurt you with their sharpness.
Include a good amount of calcium in your diet. This gives you strong and healthy nails. Calcium is found in foods such as milk and cheese.
If you don’t have enough water, you will find your nails, to be weak and fragile. So make sure to include enough water in your daily food.
Products that contain alcohol can make your b nails brittle and also spoil your nails. Check products that you touch with your bare hands before using them.
In addition to doing things by which your nails are well-maintained, you should also follow steps by which they are kept clean. Here is a look at a couple of simple nail cleansing steps that won’t take much of your time:
Put your fingers in lukewarm soapy water for five minutes. Remove from water and using a soft nail brush, lightly scrub nail undersides and nail surface.
Moisturize your hands everyday through a good moisturizer product.. When doing this apply the moisturizer around the nail area and in cuticles.
In case the stains on o your nails are really bad, try cleaning nails with a cotton swab soaked slightly in hydrogen peroxide
If your nails have become dirty with grease, soak them in diluted hand-washing solution to bring out the grease. Scrub the undersides and surface with a soft toothbrush.
French manicure is a classic that will never go out of style. Women go for the French manicure look because of its simplicity and natural look. French manicure gives your nails a healthy pink, clean, well groomed appearance. French manicure is not bound by age, anyone from teenagers to grandmothers can sport a French manicure.
French manicure usually lasts longer than a traditional manicure because it doesnot chip easily. It prevents nail damage like fragile nails tips. It is a manicure in which the tip of the nails are painted white and the rest of the nail is painted in light pink or sheer shade.
French manicure which is done in salons carry all the necessary equipment and skills. An airbrush machine is used to create a even smooth white line on the nail tips. It is often more expensive than other types of manicures.
How to do french manicure at home?
Just follow these simple steps and you can get those beautiful French manicure nails right at your home.
When you do French manicure at home it is not as great as the one done in salon but if you start to do it regularly at home you can acquire the skills overtime with practice.
The most important thing you require to do French manicure at home is time. Dont try French manicure at home when you are in a hurry.
You require these
Nail polish remover
Cotton pads
Cuticle oil or cream
Cuticle stick or orangewood stick
Nail file
Base coat
White tip polish (white or off-white or ivory nail polish)
light pink or sheer nail polish
Top coat
Step 1
Remove old nail polish with nail polish remover and cotton pad.
Step 2
French manicure looks good on short nails and nails of moderate length. File your nails to the length and shape you want. The best shape is to keep them straight across the tips and rounded on the edges.
Only file in one direction using long sweeping strokes. Dont use metal files they are harsh to your nails.
Step 3
Apply some cuticle oil or cream and massage for a while to soften the cuticles. Soak your hands in warm water for 15 minutes. Gently push the cuticles back with a orangewood stick and cuticle remover.
Step 4
Wash your hands and nails with soap and water and scrub with a nail brush during the washing to remove any oil residue from the nails because the oil can cause the nail polish to flake off. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Step 5
The base coat should be applied evenly on your nails. Apply a thin coat of the base coat, if a thick coat is applied it takes longer to dry. The base coat strengthens the nails and allows smoother application of the nail polish.
Step 6
Properly place a tip guide on your nails to wrap your nails lower portion. The nail guide strip allows you to paint the nail tip with precision and ease. Use a super thin brush like an eyeliner brush to create a precise line. Apply the white polish by drawing a thin line across the natural tip of the nail. Paint a thin white line, too broad or thick line will make the nails look stocky. If the line is uneven, let is dry completely and then draw another line over it. Ensure that the white tip is not too thick at the edges as it looks unnatural, so while applying if a little white polish gets on the skin dont worry you can clean it later.
Step 7
Make sure the base coat is completely dry before applying nail polish. Choose from sheer or opaque or neutral or beige or pearl-based or light pink shade or pastel pink coat.
Step 8
Top coat is a transparent coat. The top coat protects your nails and seals in the color, shields the layers underneath it and your hard work. The top coat adds extra shine and prevents the nail polish from chipping and helps your nail polish last longer. Apply top coat every few days to maintain the well manicured look.
How to select the products for – do at home French manicure
You can put together your own French manicure kit using products of your choice. You can select products of your choice but make sure that the products are compatible with each other.
Allow your fingernails to dry completely, it takes up to 30 minutes and upto an hour for the manicure to set before you do any work.
The most important tip to all manicures is to wait for each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat otherwise you are sure to end up with smudges.
gel french nails
How to do French Nails
French Tips
French Tip Manicure Tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZEcHil7kDs
