- Fingernails grow at a rate of\n3.5mm\/month (HuffPost<\/a>)<\/li>
- Nails are made up of keratin \u2013 the\nsame protein as our hair (HuffPost<\/a>)<\/li>
- Men\u2019s nails grow faster then women\u2019s\nnails (HuffPost<\/a>) \u2013 I don\u2019t know about you, but this\nis completely unfair!<\/li>
- Your nails on your dominant hand will\ngrow more quickly than your non-dominant (HealthLine<\/a>)<\/li>
- Nail disorders make up about 10% of\ndermatologic issues (ScienceDirect<\/a>)<\/li>
- Changes in nail color or any troubles\nto your nail growth could be signs of underlying health issues (HealthLine<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We may not\nrealize it, but our nails are really an essential part of us. That being said,\nwe need to assure that we take proper care of them just as we would any other\nbody part. We have a tendency to ignore our nails, but that shouldn\u2019t be the\ncase. Let\u2019s take a closer look and see what we need to do, and what we\nshouldn\u2019t do, when it comes to taking care of our nails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Essentials of Nail Care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you want to preserve and care for your nails,\nbut you don\u2019t know where to start. No worries! Here are a few simple tips and\ntricks, so you can easily take care of your nails and ensure their longevity\nand good health. Some of these go without saying, but at the same time, I can\nalmost guarantee half of these tips never crossed your mind, because they\ndidn\u2019t for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know the\nsaying, \u201cyou are what you eat,\u201d well, it\u2019s true. To help enrich your nails, and\nyour body, you need to make sure to maintain a proper diet. Your nails are\ncomposed of the protein keratin, so protein-rich foods such as eggs, red meat,\nlentils, green vegetables and nuts should be an essential part of your diet.\nAlso, and this goes without saying, always keep yourself hydrated \u2013 hydration\nis key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Trimming<\/strong>
- To prevent your nails from tearing or any unnecessary damage, trim your nails regularly to keep them neat and clean. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Keep them clean<\/strong>
- Your nails don\u2019t always get the best clean just by washing your hands or hopping in the shower. So, to make sure they do, squeeze a lemon into warm water and dip your hands and feet in it for about a minute. Once you\u2019ve finished soaking your nails, grab a brush or a sponge and scrub.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Moisturize<\/strong>
- Winter is the worst time for your nails. The cold weather sucks the moisture out of your nails, but so does excessive use of nail polish. To prevent this from happening, use a good moisturizer around your nails and over our cuticles \u2013 natural oils do the same thing! You can find a good moisturizer\/cuticle cream here <\/a>— thank me later! <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Use gloves<\/strong>
- Run through a typical day in your mind: my guess is that in every little thing you do, you\u2019re using your hands in some fashion. Our nails take the brunt of this usage which causes unnecessary damages. One of the key components to keeping your nails healthy is to keep your hands dry for as long as possible. If you\u2019re washing dishes or gardening, or anything that involves heavy work with your hands, wear gloves to protect your nails from excessive exposure to any water or dirt. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Strengthen your nails<\/strong>
- Strong body, strong mind, strong nails! Keep your nails nice and strong with nail hardeners or other similar products that you can find in your local market. Another way to do this is to dip your nails in warm olive oil. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day, and neither are your strong nails: stay patient! Use a nail strengthener like this one<\/a> and start noticing a difference in just a short amount of time<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Go easy on the nail polish<\/strong>
- Who doesn\u2019t love a little color on their nails? We all do, but this can be damaging. The acetone found in nail polish and removers may possibly dry up your nails quickly and easily. If you remove your nail polish one day, give your nails at least 24 hours of free-breathing before adding a new color! Another way to prevent drying is to utilize a nail polish remover with an oil base or something different altogether<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The Nail Care Don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t deny it \u2013\nat one time or another, you\u2019ve been guilty of one of the most awful crimes to\ndate: biting your nails. This is one of the biggest \u201cdon\u2019ts\u201d in nail care. Why?\nWell, sure, it may be a sign of a bigger problem, like tension, stress or\nanxiety, but biting your nails can cause damage that, if not taken care of, can\ncause irreparable damage over time. This may be the biggest \u201cno-no,\u201d but it\u2019s\ndefinitely not the only one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Use your nails as \u201ctools\u201d<\/strong>
- Have you ever used your nails to scrape objects, dig, or open bottles? What about opening pop cans? I\u2019m sure you have, because it\u2019s extremely common, but this can cause extreme damage to your nails, so try and refrain from it. Opt for using your fingers instead of your nails, or just get something else altogether to prevent the use of your hands.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Ignore problems<\/strong>
- Some of us can be hypochondriacs and constantly think that there\u2019s something wrong with us. While most of the time this is true, there\u2019s also a few things that we need to be cautious with. If you notice any discoloration, whitening, bluish coloring, folds or abnormal thickening of your nails, you might want to see a dermatologist if the problem persists. These are just a few of the common issues that can lead to dire repercussions in the long run. <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Use harsh products<\/strong>
- So I mentioned how acetone and alcohol-based products can cause more harm than good to the nails, and this reigns true. Try to avoid these products as much as possible. There will be times where they\u2019re necessary, but there are alternatives to intermix into your product usage. On top of these two main issues, if you have any old, expired or low-quality nail polishes laying around \u2013 toss them! These products can also lead to nail issues. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The DIY manicure kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I mentioned\nearlier, most people enjoy treating themselves to a day at the nail salon here\nand there, but if you don\u2019t, no fear: we have alternatives. You can make your\nvery own personal manicure kit to keep at home and have a DIY day for your\nnails. The following tools are the main staples you need in your DIY kit. Maybe\nyou do like to treat yourself, but you don\u2019t like the idea of using the kits\nyour salon has because of risk of bacterial infection. It\u2019s possible, we all\nknow it. If this is you, take your DIY kit to the salon and tell them you\nprefer if they use it as opposed to theirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Nail Clippers<\/a> \u2013 inevitable to be needed, so invest!<\/li>
- Nail File<\/a> \u2013 shape your nails to your perfect length and shape!<\/li>
- Cuticle Cutters<\/a> \u2013 don\u2019t get caught biting your cuticles (guilty\u2026) or leave them hanging, get cuticle cutters to remove them safely and gently. <\/li>
- Clear Nail Polish<\/a> \u2013 make your nails shine and give them a thin layer of protection against damage and harsh products! <\/li>
- Cuticle\/Hand cream \u2013 a must-have, especially during the cold, harsh winters! Choose a cream that suits you and your skin type and use it after each treatment to keep your hands soft and moisturized. <\/li>
- Cotton <\/a>\u2013 obviously you need to get that old nail polish off somehow! Use 100% cotton balls for easy removal.<\/li>
- Nail polish remover \u2013 yes, acetone and alcohol-based removers are trouble for the nails, so preferably, grab one that\u2019s oil-based and you\u2019re all set!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Simple and easy,\nthe perfect kit for your DIY manicure! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Dash of Color<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without a doubt,\nyour manicure and pedicure is going to end with the application of some type of\nnail color, so just remember the \u201cfree-breathing\u201d rule of giving your nails at\nleast 24 hours to breathe between polishes. The top five nail polish brands\ninclude a wide array of colors so you\u2019re sure to find something that fits your\nstyle. Check out Essie, Maybelline, Sally Hansen and OPI to find your signature\ncolor and rock it every manicure (GoodHousekeeping<\/a>).\nMaybe you want to be a bit fancier and get your own Gel Manicure kit. The same\nrules apply: some products are harsh and your nails still need time to\nbreather. The top brands you can find a whole DIY Gel Kit from include Gelish,\nRed Carpet Manicure and Sally Hansen (EliteDaily<\/a>).\nGive any of these a try and DIY, who knows maybe you\u2019ll ditch the salons for\ngood! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t know where\nyou want to start with brands or colors? I\u2019ve collected my top choices for each\nof the top brands and you can use them as a starting point! Jump on board some\nof the spring trends and get ahead of it. Don\u2019t want to follow the trends? No\nworries, these colors work year-round if you want them to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essie:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lady Like<\/a> or You Do Blue<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Essie.Ladylike.jpg\")
Lady Like<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Essie.You-Do-Blue.jpg\")
You Do Blue<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Maybelline:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paint the Town<\/a> or Porcelain Party<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Maybelline.Paint-the-Town.jpg\")
Paint the Town<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Maybelline.Porcelain-Party.jpg\")
Porcelain Party<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Sally Hansen:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Re-Nude<\/a> or Grey-Dreaming<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Sally-Hansen.ReNude.jpg\")
Re-Nude<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Sally-Hansen.Grey-Dreaming.jpg\")
Grey-Dreaming<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n OPI:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Nail File<\/a> \u2013 shape your nails to your perfect length and shape!<\/li>
- Nail Clippers<\/a> \u2013 inevitable to be needed, so invest!<\/li>
- So I mentioned how acetone and alcohol-based products can cause more harm than good to the nails, and this reigns true. Try to avoid these products as much as possible. There will be times where they\u2019re necessary, but there are alternatives to intermix into your product usage. On top of these two main issues, if you have any old, expired or low-quality nail polishes laying around \u2013 toss them! These products can also lead to nail issues. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Use your nails as \u201ctools\u201d<\/strong>
- Go easy on the nail polish<\/strong>
- Strong body, strong mind, strong nails! Keep your nails nice and strong with nail hardeners or other similar products that you can find in your local market. Another way to do this is to dip your nails in warm olive oil. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day, and neither are your strong nails: stay patient! Use a nail strengthener like this one<\/a> and start noticing a difference in just a short amount of time<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Use gloves<\/strong>
- Winter is the worst time for your nails. The cold weather sucks the moisture out of your nails, but so does excessive use of nail polish. To prevent this from happening, use a good moisturizer around your nails and over our cuticles \u2013 natural oils do the same thing! You can find a good moisturizer\/cuticle cream here <\/a>— thank me later! <\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Nails are made up of keratin \u2013 the\nsame protein as our hair (HuffPost<\/a>)<\/li>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OPI.Hello-Pretty.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OPI.Sweet-Heart.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Gelish.Call-My-Blush.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chameleonjohn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/RCM.Wine-For-the-Wine.jpg\")