Nail Care Tips | Nail Polish | All Nail Tips

Acrylic Nails

2006-08-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

By Philip Culver

There’s a new craze that’s creating quite a smash among fashionable ladies – acrylic nails. They come in a number of designs and colors that are tailor-made to fit every woman’s taste.
Like a girl’s favorite dress, these acrylic nails are ideal for special occasions although some of the more chic young women of today wear them on a regular basis. They’re easy to apply and absolutely wonderful if you want to lengthen or strengthen short, brittle nails.

They also have practical uses as well, If you’re one of those people who nibble on their nails when you’re bored or stressed, then these acrylic nails can help you break that habit. Bite and chew on them as much as you want and you’ll still hardly make a dent. They’re also great if you have the kind of nails that often split and break under the slightest pressure, because acrylic nails may look light and fragile, but they are made of sturdy stuff. You only have to maintain them on a bi-weekly basis and, after that, they’re no trouble at all.

For maximum results, it’s best to care for your acrylic nails the way you would care for your natural nails. Avoid soaking them in water for prolonged periods of time since water can seep in between your acrylic and natural nails and cause damage and perhaps even infection. When washing dishes of tidying up the house, it’s wise to wear rubber gloves for extra protection. Overall, you can go about your normal routine without worry about breaking acrylic nails.

You may wonder how acrylic nails are made. It’s really a simple process. They are made by mixing a powder with a special liquid and then painted and shaped into place using the mixture. Most professional nail care experts recommend Ethyl Methacrylate or EMA. It may be a bit more expensive than its alternative, Methyl Methacrylate or MMA but it spares the wearer from harmful MMA side effects such as skin irritations and irregular nail growth. Meanwhile, EMA are renowned for their superior quality and excellent materials. Plus, they add a dash of style and safety to your nails.

Other things to consider are nail color, design and trends. A well-loved classic color combination is the French manicure, which is simply a natural nail color accompanied by white tips. Women love them because they complement anyting in their wardrobes. For the more daring customers, there is a virtual plethora of designs to choose from, ranging from stars to teddy bears.

For a real party look and feel to your nails, you might want to try a little sparkle, which consist of inserts that are imbedded right into the acrylic. Among the more popular choices are tiny gems and stickers that come in a large range of shapes, designs and colors. You may also wish to try nail piercing which involve a piece of jewelry. This procedure would be nearly impossible on natural nails.

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Annie Ramsden

Apply Makeup Tips E-Group

Perfect Pedicures and Magnificent Manicures : A "How To"

2006-05-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

By Danna Schneider

How to Get Salon Quality Manicures and Pedicures

Summer time is once again upon us. Gone are the thick socks and stifling shoes, and in are the feet-baring sandals that adorn your shoe closet. You know what that means ladies. Pedicure Time! Oh, and while we're talking about pedicures, most of these pointers also apply to manicures.

Shopping List for Success :

1.) Cuticle Stick
2.) Cuticle Oil or Conditioner
3.) Fast Drying Base Coat
4.) Fast Drying Top Coat
5.) Buffer
6.) Large Emory Board

The first thing you need to do is to make sure you start off with clean nails. Clean nails will help the nail polish to bond better with the nail, and help ensure a lasting finish. If you have any nails that are obviously longer than all of the others, then I suggest you use a small pair of nail scissors, not clippers, to give them a trim before anything else is done.

The reason I don't suggest using clippers, at least on your hands, is that they tend to make fragile nails split, because they do not "bend" with the nail when it is cut off, which stresses the rest of the nail and can cause splitting and breaking down the line. Once the nails have all been evened out with a pair of nail scissors, the filing begins.

Begin with an emory board style nail file, not metal. It is easier to use the larger emory boards rather than the small, because it covers more surface area and tends to be more easily manipulated. Gently file the rough edges of the nails, angling it only slightly around the outer edges, for a somewhat "squared off" look. You don't want the nails too rounded, since nails typically grow better and faster when they are kept in a squared shape, but you can use your judgement as to your shape preference.

Next, using a rubber tipped cuticle stick, gently shape the cuticles. Some people have barely any cuticle at all, and can skip this step. Others may have thicker, more noticeable cuticles and they are the ones that need to focus on grooming them more. One you've shaped and gently pushed back your cuticles, dab a drop of conditioning cuticle oil and rub in.

Use a makeup brush and dust off any dust leftover from filing. You may even want to go wash your hands so that none of the nail dust or the cuticle conditioner interferes with the application of the polish. The next step is crucial to the longevity of your manicure and pedicure, since it forms a base which provides optimal adherence of your polish to your nail surface.

Use a nail buffer, or the buffing side of your nail file, and lightly buff the surface of your nails, just enough so that you do not see as much luster on the surface as you usually would. Now, take your preferred sheer or clear base coat polish and slick a light layer of it on. Wait a full minute and half at least, and then you may begin to apply your nail color of choice.

This next step is also very important to the longevity of your manicure or pedicure, as it seals you polish in a hard armor which is very tough to chip. Using the top coat of your choice, slick one to two layers of the top coat on and allow to completely dry. And that's it, you're done! Trust me, if you follow all of these steps your manicures and pedicures will last forever! Well, maybe not forever, but you get the picture.

Visit Cosmetics Galore Product Reviews : Size Genetics Reviews for more beauty product reviews. Danna Schneider is also the founder of MyBeautySpace.com : Beauty Blog

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Annie Ramsden
Apply Makeup Tips E-Group

Gel Nails - For that Natural Look Whatever the Occasion

2006-04-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

By Dr Bianca Tavares

Gel nails are perhaps the most natural looking of all nail additions and are definitely worth considering if you want to have longer and stronger nails which appear to be your own. You create gel nails by applying layers of an acrylic gel to the surface of your nails. These layers then combine and set to produce a solid nail. To harden the nails, they are then normally placed under an ultraviolet light or even sometimes simply an ordinary room light.

It can be difficult to apply gel nails yourself, although it is quite possible. It's certainly a lot simpler to get a nail specialist to do the job for you, but if you do wish to try it yourself, the following is a method for using the acrylic overlay technique.

1. Buff the natural surface of your nail using a buffer to remove the shine. Don't overdo it! Then shape the free edge of the nail plate to the correct size corresponding to your finger nail. Use a medium-grade emery board to do this.

2. Apply a drop of nail adhesive to the nail tip whilst holding it at a 45 deg angle with the tip against the outer edge of your own nail. Then slide the nail tip back and press it down when in position. Hold it in position for a few seconds until it is held securely by the adhesive.

3. Apply a single coat of acrylic bonding agent to the surface of your own nail only. Don't get it on the acrylic tip.

4. A small amount of acrylic liquid and acrylic powder should be poured into separate glass containers. Using a brush, dip it into the acrylic liquid, then press it lightly against the dish to release any excess acrylic. Then sweep the tip of the brush across the surface of the white powder until it has picked up as much of the powder as it is able to carry, and the resultant ball is big enough to cover the entire nail. Then take the brush and place te tip with the acrylic ball in the center of your nail.

5. As quickly as you can, but without rushing, commence by pushing some acrylic into the cuticle region, working towards the sides and forwards to completely fill in your nail behind the acrtlic tip.

6. When completed and dry, tap your nail gently on the infilled area using the brush handle. The familiar clicking sound will indicate that the acrylic has fully set.

7. To finish, file and buff the nails as you require. Then apply a base coat varnish, some polish and a top coat. It is also a good idea also to apply a drop of cuticle oil to the cuticle.

Note that all nail enhancements will need filling every two to four weeks, depending upon how quickly your nails grow. This means filling in the area in front of the cuticle to blend in with the existing acrylic fill.

You can find more information on gel nails by Bianca Tavares in her regular contributions at Makeup Girl’s Makeup Tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Bianca_Tavares

How To Remove Acrylic Nails

2006-04-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

By Brenda Murphy

Getting acrylic nails at the saloon can get pretty pricey, as is having them removed there. Thankfully you can do both at home these days. To add your own acrylic nails, purchase a kit in the drugstore. Once you grow tired of them, here’s how to remove them at home.

You can remove acrylic nails two different ways. You can purchase a professional acrylic nail removal kit at your local drug store, or you can invest a dollar or two in a large bottle of nail polish remover. Make sure you buy a kind that has acetone in it, not one of the gentler nail polish removers on the market these days.

Lay out several pages of newspaper on your kitchen table to prevent spills. Keep several paper towels close by as well to wipe off nail polish, dry your hands off and put the acrylic nails on as they come off.

Clip your nails as short as possible to make the process easier. Next apply some petroleum jelly to your fingers (except the nails) to prevent your skin from drying out completely during the soaking.

Pour the entire bottle of nail polish remover in a bowl. Warm it up in the microwave to make the process faster and easier. Soak your fingernails for about 15 to 20 minutes. The acrylic nails should start to come apart from your natural nail at this point. Gently peel them back a little and soak longer if they still seem pretty attached. Repeat this process until you can easily peel the entire acrylic nail off. Don’t force it, or you risk ripping your own nail out of the nail bed, which is very painful.

Wash your hands several times when you’re done to get all the acetone off. Use a good hand moisturizer. The acetone dries your skin out. Your nails will look very rough from the acrylic coming off. Use a nail buffer to smooth them out. They’ll start looking better after a few days.

Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life.

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Annie Ramsden

How To Give A Manicure

2006-03-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

By Danielle Hollister

This guide will give you the basic directions for nail care, however, it cannot provide the same direction and hands-on experience offered by a Professional School of Cosmetology.

SUPPLIES:

1 - Nail scissors

2 - Small tray, about the size of a soap dish

3 - Gentle dishwashing detergent or other skin softening, bubbly liquid (such as some bubble bath products)

4 - Warm water

5 - Two to three hand towels

6 - Moisturizer or Hand Lotion with Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter or similar ingredient to condition skin

7 - Clear Base Coat Nail Polish

8 - Colored Nail Polish

9 - Top Coat Nail Polish

10 - Small lamp or other radiant source of light

11 – Table or desk so that, when seated, your arms can easily extend across from the relaxed position of a comfortable chair

12 - Hair dryer or similar device (not required)

13 – Cotton swabs

STEPS:

1 - Fill tray with warm water and sudsy liquid (the trick is to add water at just the right temperature so it will soften skin without being too hot to the touch)

2 - Place one hand in tray and let it soak for several minutes

3 - If you're giving someone else a manicure, you can use oil or moisturizer to massage one hand while the other one is soaking

4 - Remove soaking hand and pat dry with hand towel

5 - Place other hand in tray to soak for several minutes

6 - While the second hand is soaking, you should carefully begin trimming cuticles that form around the edges of the nail itself (NOTE: Pay close attention to what you're doing, so you don't cut too close and end up causing skin to bleed. If you take your time and trim slowly with tiny strokes, you should be fine.)

7 - If your timing is perfect, you will be finished cutting the cuticles on that hand before the first hand gets wrinkled from being in the warm water too long. (Tip: Don't try to hurry the cuticle trimming process to make your timing work. Instead try to remember to check on the soaking hand half-way through the course of cutting cuticles. If the water is cold or the hand shows hints of wrinkling skin, that's your cue to stop the soaking operation and pat hand dry with hand towel, apply some lotion and go back to the trimming procedure.)

8 - When you have completed trimming cuticles on both hands, you should make sure all loose skin is removed from nail area. Begin to polish nails with clear base coat by applying a thin layer as smoothly and carefully as possible. Try to keep polish on nails only. If you accidentally apply too much or get extra polish on skin around nails, use a cotton swab dipped lightly in nail polish remover to correct your mistake.

9 - After applying base coat to both hands, choose polish color and repeat previous procedure beginning with the same hand you started with last time. Follow guidelines described above to produce best results.

10 - The next application will be a top coat to create a seal or protection for colored polish. Repeat previous steps to ensure success in this process. Remember less is better when it comes to nail polish. Thick layers lead to messy results.

11 - You have two choices to complete this process and make your manicure last.

(1) You can dry nails with a blow dryer or similar device set on slow speed at a moderate temperature. You should keep hands positioned under heat source for at least three minutes and then sit still, touch nothing, and wait for another minute or two to avoid smudges or smears that will ruin your efforts.

(2) You can skip the dryer process and sit still, touch nothing and wait for at least five minutes to creating lasting results that will make your manicured nails look their best.

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Hollister

Nails Times Ten

2006-03-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

By Jolene Schwartz

There are ten tools at your fingertips, used to tighten screws, slit seals, crease paper, scratch itches, peel labels, scrape lottery tickets, tap out rhythm, and the ever politically-correct task of removing that spinach from between your teeth. Your fingernails are a universal tool, and most of us couldn’t function without them being so close to (pardon the pun) … hand.

Fingernails are composed primarily of keratin; a tough, insoluble protein substance that is the chief structural constituent of hair, nails, horns, and hoofs. Nails grow about 1/8th inch per month and require 3 to 6 months to completely re-grow, while toenails grow about three times slower. Fingernail growth slows as you get older, in cold weather, during illness; men’s nails grow faster than woman’s, and nails on the dominant hand grow faster.

Your nails are always in sight, so it doesn’t make a positive personal statement if they are grubby, broken, or split with rough, ragged cuticles. Taking care of your nails is no big thing, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to nail care:
Start with a good soak to soften things up and then cut straight across the front of the nail with a sharp clipper or nail scissors, use a nail board to shape, file in one direction to avoid splitting the nail.

Buff nails with a 4 in 1 multi-function buffer to smooth ridges, rough spots and remove stains.

Next apply a cuticle remover or cream, and push the cuticle back (Note: cuticle pens work really well here, the moisturizer is in the felt tip so you don’t have to touch it and get your hands oily).

Do not clip or cut ragged cuticles; this removes the nail’s protective barrier to bacteria and can cause irregular nail growth and infection.

Clip hangnails and apply cuticle cream; biting and picking only tears the skin and makes things painfully worse.

Now you have great looking, well-manicured healthy nails, let’s work on your dry, rough hands:

Gentle scrubbing with a granular scrub and a good brush will get the ground-in dirt on knuckles and around the nails.

Follow up with a light aloe-based hand moisturizer; your hands won’t feel or look greasy, just smooth and comfortable.

You clean and maintain your work tools without a second thought, don’t you?
… Remember to give your hands the same consideration.

© 2005 Jolene Schwartz

Jolene Schwartz is a grooming specialist for over 20 years; as a master barber and licensed cosmetologist in her own men’s salon. She launched http://appearancesformen.com e-com site; writing monthly columns about men’s products, lifestyle, and offering the finest in men’s grooming products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jolene_Schwartz

Nail It - Here’s To Healthy And Beautiful Nails!

2006-03-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

by Ben Ong

There is no substitute for a healthy diet as you are what you eat. Radiant health shows not only in the rosy glow of your skin and the healthy bounce of your hair, but also in the vitality of your nails. When the balance of health is disrupted, the first signs actually appear on your nails.

Have a look at your nails. Are they discolored, brittle or jagged around the edges? If they are, you just may not be getting the right nutrients into your body despite eating well and consuming supplements.

Here are a few tips that will help you have great nails and good health.

Nail Nutrition 101

* Water, the essence of life, is a must in your diet. Consuming enough water and other liquids is vital if you want to avoid chips and cracks in your nails. Fresh carrot juice is excellent for strengthening nails, as it is rich in both calcium and phosphorous.

* Broccoli, onions, soy and papaya are rich in sulphur, biotin and silicon – essential in nail-building materials. Do eat more servings of vegetables and fruits at meal times as this boosts your intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which will keep shabby looking nails at bay.

* Ensure a healthy daily intake of calcium, protein and zinc. White bands and spots on your nails are a clear indication that these elements are lacking in your system. They also tend to make your nails look diseased, so do include these basic nutrients to add a glossy sheen to your nails.

* Consider including royal jelly, spirulina and kelp in your intake. These supplements are rich in silica, zinc and vitamin B, which help nails grow strong and healthy.

* Do not forget to include protein, folic acid and the all-essential vitamin C in your dietary intake because a depletion of any one of these nutrients can cause very painful episodes of hangnails – the annoying, little triangular splits of skin around the fingernails.

* Curved and darkish looking nails can be avoided by ensuring a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 in your system, while reddish-looking skin around your cuticles may indicate that something is not quite on par as far as your metabolism rate is concerned.

Facts To Remember

You can tremendously improve the health of your nails by remembering that the greatest foes of healthy nails are harsh detergents and water.

This deadly combination actually causes stress upon nail fibres, which eventually lead to split or brittle nails. The best thing you can do – and do religiously – is to don a pair of rubber gloves while you clean or do the dishes.

You should also know that filing the corner of your nails is a big no-no. This will weaken the nails and they will break more easily as a result. So if your manicurist insists that the latest trend requires you to file those corners, then it’s about time you change your nail care attendant.

Ben Ong is a senior product development consultant at Acne Detox Skin Science. Backed by a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, Acne Detox Skin Science is a company that specializes in the formulation of acne treatment products that can help to rectify acne, pimples, acne scars, blemishes and blackheads. Please visit their official website for more information and tips on how to combat and treat acne effectively.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

5 Manicure Tips

2006-03-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

By Paul Cris

There are some mistakes commonly committed when manicure is carried out at home. So here are some useful hints.

1.Most people cut the nails back and forth using an emery board and deeply cut the nail from the left and right corner. So the nails are most likely to get split and worn out. Use the board from the left to the center by sawing back and forth a few times. Then move it from the center to the right a few times. To get the right texture and a smooth layer on the nail use a metal file.

2.Do not neglect the cuticular part of the nail as it can cause the problem of hangnails. Penetrate it with oil after taking bath.

3.Gently push the cuticles with a cloth and do not nip away at the cuticles, as it can cause nail infections.

4.Before you apply a polish to your nail you should first lace it with a base coat. If you apply a coat of nail polish on the bare nails they dry away quickly or the darker shades that are applied will turn yellowish.

5.Replace the nail polish after every five days because too many coats will dehydrate the nails and therefore remove the top layer of the nail.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1632.html

You are welcome to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL.

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Annie Ramsden
Apply Makeup Tips E-Group

Nails & Cuticles - Eight Care Tips

2006-02-07T03:17:00.000-08:00

By Mike Jones

Nails & Cuticles - Eight Care Tips.

1. Healthy looking nails should be smooth, curved, void of any
spotting, and should not have any hollows or ridges.

2. Make sure your nails are completely dry before you file them.

3. Shape your nails with a fine emery board, do not use any type
of metal file.

4. When filing, try to keep the shape of your nails oval not
pointed, thus making the nails less susceptible to breakage.

5. The cuticle acts as a seal between the finger and the nail.
Gently exfoliating the dry, rough, cuticle skin layers by
actually sloughing off the dead outer layers exposes new and
vibrant skin.

6. This new healthy skin protects the nails matrix which is the
growth center of the nail and should be treated with care.

7. Don't over manicure your cuticles. Over-grooming the cuticle
damages the cuticle and causes it to thicken and overgrow.

8. Never use metal or sharp instruments on your cuticles.

Recommendation: The Milagro Nail Care System includes a nail
conditioner and cuticle conditioner which contain a rich
combination of gentle botanicals, minerals, and amino acids which
make the nail more flexible and resistant to breaking.
Click here for details:
http://www.1bodycare.com/159490-milagro

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