If you’re living on planet earth right now, it’s likely that you’ve been sensibly sanitising your hands all year round. This might also mean that your nails are looking a little flippy, a little flaky, and less-than-fabulous. So we've compiled our top tips on how to care for your nails, and restore them to glory.
Nail care is the future (of your perfect mani). It’s the basis of an amazing manicure and ensures your nail polish looks its best. But our understanding of even basic nail care is often stuck in the past. It’s time to drop the old wives tales (sorry, mum), update and get clear.
Nail care 101
Here are 10 nail care tips that won’t crack, peel, or break on you.
1. Don’t bite your nails
Did we really need to say that? It weakens and cracks your fresh manicure and wastes all that time and effort. Not to mention, it’s not so great for your teeth as a direct source of bacteria. And while we get it, nail biting stems from a handful of issues (sorry, couldn’t resist) there are a whole bunch of ways you can keep the nibbling at bay. Start by wearing them short, even when they grow, and get yourself a strengthening formula to stave off temptation. (Nails don’t taste that great anyway.)
2. Moisturise
Hand washing. Sanitising. Dish washing. Showers. You know, daily activities. They’re basically nail enemies. They strip out the natural oils and leave your nails prone to breakage, splitting, peeling, and cracking. So fun. Using a quality cuticle oil, will easily replace the natural oils and moisture you lose on the daily. We find it easiest to apply before bed for it to really take effect. And if you’re seeking some serious hydration, consider our Self Love Oil - it loves every bit of you and fans are calling it "unexpectedly wonderful" (cheers, Caitlin from Australia). Seriously, from your chapped lips to your dry elbows, even your sense of humour. We’ve found that it also adds a healthy glow when applied to foundation. Don't forget to apply Self Love Oil to your nails and cuticles before showering and swimming to help protect them from water damage.
But, if your nails really need some TLC (we’re talking about dry, flaking and peeling nails after a gel mani) then add our award-winning Rest & Repair Mask to really ramp things up. It's packed with a dreamy concoction of botanicals and bioactives, that smell good enough to eat (but please don't). Not only that, it helps repair, regenerate and hydrate your nails while you snooze! Fans like Laura R. reckon it’s the best (her words, not ours). Oh my LORD - the best!... My nails improved virtually overnight, which sounds crazy, but is magical." Not crazy, Laura. We’ve witnessed this sorcery first-hand.
SHOP ULTIMATE NAIL RESCUE
3. Reconsider the length
If you find your nails are still cracking along the edges, it may be time to reconsider the length. Long nails are divas. They don’t ‘do’ dishes, darling. An active daily routine is going to stress them out and you’ll get cracks. If you like doing things, it’s best to shape your nails weekly to keep them looking flawless.
4. Use top coat
A good top coat seals in your colour and prevents chipping and breakage. Make sure to completely cover the tips of your nails. That way your mani is completely sealed and your colour protected.
Tip: Double-check the label before applying top coat as a clear nail polish. Some top coat formulations are designed to stick to polish - not fingernails.
5. Use base coat
The other secret weapon in your nail care arsenal is base coat. It’s essentially double-sided sticky tape for your nails. It adheres to your natural nail bed far better than polish does. It also binds better with your nail polish colours. The end result is a longer lasting manicure.
6. Avoid really rough emery boards
Emery boards that are too rough can cause small cracks in your nails that lead to splits and breakage. To maintain healthy nails, use 180 to 240 grit, or preferably a glass emery board. They will take off the length and allow shaping without destroying your nails. When filing your nails, go slowly and evenly and file in one direction rather than sawing at them.
7. Don’t remove your cuticles
Your cuticles are critical for nail health. Keep them intact. They are nature’s way of protecting your nails from infection. If you break this amazing barrier your cuticles can easily become inflamed and ragged. At the very least this is going to bring down the tone of your manicure. At worst, you could end up with the kind of infection that permanently damages your nails. To tame them, we recommend tackling them after a shower or after applying a cuticle oil (our Self Love Oil makes for a gentle companion in this department). Start by only trimming the loose skin around the sides of your nail, and gently pushing your cuticles back using a rubber cuticle pusher or orange stick.
SHOP SELF LOVE OIL
8. Wear gloves
Harsh detergents strip your nails. Daily activities, like cleaning and gardening, put them in serious risk of breakage. Before you give up cleaning your house, try wearing gloves. It should do the trick just fine.
9. Read the labels
Your standard nail polish contains some seriously toxic chemicals. But you don’t have to put your health second to beauty. Look for the 12-free label on your nail polishes. This means they are free of the 12 most toxic chemicals found in normal nail polish.
10. Eat well
Your body builds, nourishes and maintains your nails via blood flow to the nail bed. So the only way for your nails to receive strengthening nutrients is from nutrient-rich blood. A healthy diet leads to healthy, supple nails. Eat a well-balanced plant-based diet full of colourful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts. You’ll start to see the difference in one to two months, as your nails grow out.
Bonus tip?
Always keep a soft file, cuticle oil, top/base coat, and hand cream either in your office drawer, bathroom cabinet, or makeup bag. An investment in the right tools will go a long, long way. Au revoir, monster claws.
