QUESTION: What does a healthy, well-manicured nail look like?
ANSWER: Healthy looking nails should be smooth, curved, void of any spotting, and should not have any hollows or ridges. Make sure your nails are completely dry before you file them. Shape your nails with a fine emery board, do not use any type of metal file. When filing, try to keep the shape of your nails oval not pointed, thus making the nails less susceptible to breakage.
QUESTION: How do I groom for my cuticles and keep them healthy?
ANSWER: 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. This new healthy skin protects the nails matrix which is the growth center of the nail and should be treated with care. Don't over manicure your cuticles. Overgrooming the cuticle damages the cuticle and causes it to thicken and overgrow. Never use metal or sharp instruments on your cuticles.
QUESTION: How do I prevent dry & cracking nails?
ANSWER: Consistent moisturizing will keep your nails & cuticles looking neat and tidy. Unfortunately, hand creams aren't emollient enough to keep cuticles from cracking and drying out, so you'll need added protection. The best prevention to dry and cracking nails & cuticles is to apply a drop an Jojoba oil or Avocado oil onto each fingernail. Gently push each cuticle back with your fingertips as you rub in the oil. Repeat after washing or when hands begin to feel dry.
QUESTION: How can I stop breaking & chipping my nails?
ANSWER: Treat nails as if they have just been polished. Don't use nails for such things as scraping, picking, pulling or opening things. Use the pads of fingertips instead of the nails. Doing so will not only protect your nails from breaking, chipping or peeling, but will make your hand movements appear more graceful as well!
QUESTION: What is the proper technique and tool for filing nails?
ANSWER: The key to strong, healthy and beautiful-looking nails is, curiously enough, the angle at which they are filed. Therefore, it is important to obtain a file that provides the proper filing angle to smooth nail edges and remove snags. This position keeps the top layer of the nail the longest and helps prevent "peeling," which can be caused by improper filing. The proper file gives nails a smooth edge without taking off days or even weeks of growth, as other files can.
Never file deep into the corners of the nail. Filing the corners weakens the sides of the nail, which are very important for overall strength. Nails permitted to grow out at the sides appear longer and wear better.
Note: Be cautious of contact with skin while filing nails. Most nail files are made entirely of abrasive material.
QUESTION: How do I keep my nail polish fresh-looking and chip-free?
ANSWER: Your nail polish regimen should consist of 4 component that will provide your nails with a healthy shine and prevent easy chipping. These four layers of nail polish components are: a ridge-filling base coat, two coats of color (laqcuer or enamel) and a protective top coat in order to maintain their strength and add shine.
Mickhael has been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 20 years, including ownership of quality salons across the U.S. for over 15 years. He has worked as a platform artist and educator for several haircare companies, and was awarded the prestigious Paul Mitchell Medal of Honor. Mickhael used these experiences in formulating, producing & marketing the Oasis Haircare line, as well as, the Fat Lip Makeup Company, which he promotes in his Oasis Salons, Maximum Beauty Products Supply Stores & online at the website: http://www.bestbeautystore.com
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.