Having beautiful hands is impossible without proper nail care. Correct nail care not only keeps your nails healthy but also enhances your overall appearance. Below is a detailed guide to the basic steps of nail care.
1. Preparation
Before starting your nail care routine, gather the following tools: nail clippers, emery board, sponge buffer, steel pusher, cuticle nipper, cuticle pusher, cuticle oil, nail nutrition oil, and nail gel polish. Make sure all tools are clean and sanitized. You can disinfect them with alcohol before use.
2. Trim the Nails
Start by using nail clippers to trim any long nails to a suitable length. Be careful not to cut them too short to avoid pain or injury to the nail bed. Typically, your nails should extend slightly beyond your fingertips.
Next, use the emery board to smooth the edges of the nails to avoid any jagged edges. Start at one side of the nail and gently file towards the other side, making sure to apply moderate pressure, avoiding over-filing.
3. Remove Cuticles
Soak your hands in warm water for about 5-10 minutes to soften the skin around the nails, making it easier to remove dead skin.
Use the steel pusher to gently push back the old cuticle from the nail's surface, starting from the base of the nail and pushing towards the tip. Be gentle to avoid damaging the nail.
Then, use the cuticle nipper to trim any pushed-back cuticles. The angle of the cuticle nipper should stay parallel to the nail surface to prevent cutting into the skin.
Use a cuticle brush to clean out any dirt or debris from under the nails. Gently insert the brush between the nail and the surrounding skin, brushing back and forth to ensure the nail groove is clean.
4. Buff the Nail Surface
Use a sponge buffer to smooth any rough or uneven spots on the nail surface. Start from one side of the nail and gently buff towards the other side, applying moderate pressure. Be sure not to buff too aggressively.
Buffed nails will have a smoother surface, which helps nail gel polish adhere better.
5. Apply Nail Nutrition Oil and Cuticle Oil
Apply nail nutrition oil to the surface of the nail and surrounding skin, massaging gently to allow the oil to absorb. Nail nutrition oil provides essential nutrients to the nails, strengthening them.
Apply cuticle oil around the base and edges of the nails, particularly around the cuticles. Cuticle oil moisturizes the skin and helps prevent hangnails.
6. Apply Nail Gel Polish
If you're applying nail gel polish, first apply a base coat to protect the nails. Allow the base coat to dry before applying the gel polish. The base coat helps prevent the gel from damaging the nails.
When applying gel polish, start at the base of the nail and brush towards the tip, ensuring even coverage. Generally, 2-3 layers of gel polish are sufficient.
Once the gel polish has dried, apply a top coat to enhance the shine and durability of the manicure.
7. Daily Care
Avoid using your nails to pick at hard objects to prevent nail damage.
Keep your hands clean by washing them regularly to avoid bacterial infections.
Regularly maintain your nails, ideally once a week for basic care.
Maintain a balanced diet, rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, to support healthy nail growth.
