Tag: Nails

Chipping a perfectly good manicure is one of life’s most annoying frustrations. Since I’m constantly opening packages and typing stories, wearing gel nail polish has been a saving grace when it comes to preserving my mani. While I love the flexibility a regular manicure provides, gel polish is so much more durable—which is why I tend to stretch each manicure for as long as possible. “With gel polish, your manicure can last from two to three weeks, but with regular polish you're lucky if it lasts five to seven days without chipping,” Kristin Pulaski, owner of Paintbucket Nails in Brooklyn, tells SELF. According to Pulaski, in addition to staying power, another great benefit of gel is that it provides a harder layer of protection over the natural nail, which can result in increased nail grow...

Whether you're the type who's always on top of the latest nail trends—like, say, cow print—or prefer a short, simple mani in pale pink, strong, healthy nails are always a good thing. But actually getting them to the point you desire before they break off in uneven pieces is easier said than done (especially if you're trying to go au naturel). Daily wear and tear leads to hangnails and snags, and polish and gel changes can weaken your tips over time. So how to actually grow nails out and keep them long? We chatted with pros to gather the best advice for stronger, healthier nails. Maintain and hydrate your cuticles. Remember this: Healthy cuticles equal healthy nails. “The main habit to break is picking, trimming, or manipulating your cuticles in any way,” says North Carolina dermatologi...

Cold, household chores, too hot baths or a bad manicure can attack your nails everyday. Are your fingernails brittle, soft, streaky or split? Wondering how to fortify them? Check out our home care recipes against damaged nails. Tip 1: Argan Oil To moisturize fragile nails, dip your fingers in a bath of milk and argan oil at equal doses for about ten minutes once a week. Note that olive, castor or sweet almond oil is also very effective. Tip 2: Salt Salt also helps to strengthen brittle nails thanks to its iodine content. Directions for use: Mix one tablespoon of salt in half a liter of warm water and soak your fingers in this liquid for 10 minutes. Tip 3: Lemon Lemon is known for its revitalizing virtues. To strengthen your nails, mix the juice of a lemon with a tablespoon of baking s...