I have had a few questions lately from readers about how I’ve managed to grow my nails to a long-ish length (not too long, I personally don’t want to have talons or claws LOL, I wear contacts and that would be dangerous) and keep them that way. So I’ve assembled a list of tips and tricks to help you! I am not a nail expert but these are things that I have found helpful and that have worked for me.
1. Your nails are jewels, not tools! This is my most favorite saying ever. Do not use your nails to pick sticky price tags off of things and do not use them to open things like pop cans. Do not tap your nails on hard surfaces, do not scratch them against anything, hopefully you get the idea. Just chant “jewels not tools” in your mind, hundreds of times, over and over again, until it sticks.
2. Which brings me to this tip, wear rubber gloves AT ALL TIMES when doing dishes or chores around the house, especially when using any cleaning products. Period. Have you ever broke or chipped a nail while srubbing something and you jam your fingernail into a hard surface? Exactly. Ouch!
3. Do not cut your nails with clippers unless it is an emergency or something. Using clippers puts a huge amount of unnecessary pressure on your nails and can cause splitting. Use a crystal nail file when you need to take any length off of your nails. Use only a crystal file, no old fashioned emery boards or stainless files.
4. Keep something on your nails at all times whether it is nail polish or a treatment product like China Glaze Gel Calcium Nail Fortifier. This should actually be tip #1 but I really did not put these in any particular order. If you only take one bit of my advice, this should be it. Followed my #1 here (“jewels not tools”) which should be #2 after this one.
5. Moisture. Constant moisture. Wash your hands? Moisturize. Cough? Moisturize. Breathe? Moisturize. Hopefully you are catching on. I use CND Cuticle Eraser about 3 to 4 times a day followed by CND Solar Oil and then hand lotion. My boyfriend thinks I am an obsessed freak and maybe I am. But take a look at his nails and cuticles and then take a look at mine. Sorry honey, but you don’t read this anyway.
That is all I can think of for now but I reserve the right to update this when I discover something new.
On to some other stuff:
Have you entered my giveaway yet?
Have you seen my OPI 90210 collection swatches yet?
Have you seen the China Glaze Romantique swatches yet? Just want to make sure that you guys haven't missed any of the really good stuff lately.
See you later. Love you, readers!! Thank you for reading e-polishblog. It truly means the world to me!!
Also, if you use Google Reader or any other blog reader, why don't you take a second and subscribe to e-polishblog? You can at the top right hand corner of my blog. It would seriously mean the world to me. I've recently started using Google Reader to keep up with my favorite blogs and I freaking love it.
xoxo,
Katee
Thanks so much for the tips, Katee! I'm doing a couple of them already so I'm feeling hopeful -- but I needed all these tips and reminders so your post is GREAT! I just recently got Cuticle Eraser and I agree that it's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHey Molly, no problem!! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about Cuticle Eraser........exactly what does this do?
ReplyDeleteBrooke - it is amazing. It has AHA's and it conditions and exfoliates the cuticles and surrounding skin. Since I have started using it I seriously have not used cuticle nippers, not even once. The stuff is the bomb. I'd never go w/o it again!
ReplyDeleteHear hear! Especially the gloves thing - I even wear cotton gloves to bed. If you slather on cuticle oil or moisturizer then slip them on before bed, when you wake up in the morning you have lovely soft digits.
ReplyDeleteYou can usually find the cotton gloves next to the dishwashing gloves in the supermarket - very cheap.
Good idea on the cotton gloves Nixxy! TY
ReplyDeleteYes Ma'am! :-) I have definitely taken your advice and promise not to clip my nails anymore and I did buy some of the CG Calcium Fortifier as well. Google Reader does rock huh? I use it also. I love everything Google.
ReplyDeleteIt is hats off to Katee day in my book! I have been AMAZED at what one week w/o polish or product on my nails can do. I would have NEVER thought it until Katee confirmed it.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the ceramic nail files ever wear out? I've got one that's one or two years old and it doesn't seem to be doing as good a job.
VV - I am totally addicted to anything Google!!
ReplyDeleteGG - awww thanks!! I have never used a ceramic file. Glass or crystal files are the bomb!
xoxo,
Katee
I've been lucky in that my nails are pretty hardy, never very weak or brittle... but I've had horrible cuticles forever, and ever. Now that winter is really starting to bear down on MN and the air is getting so dry the hangnails just don't seem to go away. I just picked up Solar Oil and the Cuticle Eraser tonight (along with a crystal file) at Ulta I am very hopeful that getting into a habit with these products will really help make a difference. Thanks so much for your tips! (Still haven't gotten a call from the Chanel counter on the Vendetta yet. My fingers are crossed that I hear from her before Christmas, I can't wait to check out this polish!)
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, love to see beautiful NATURAL nails. I've found that a 3 way buffer is a lifesaver for smoothing out the little nicks that can occur at the tips of nails (no matter how careful you are)
ReplyDeleteSarah - Ohh good stuff!! Use the cuticle eraser before the oil and you'll be golden. I usually use the combo 3 times daily. I am still waiting for Vendetta too!!
ReplyDeleteAnon - Thanks!! :)