PROFECTIONAL MANICURE &PEDICURE TIPS

Prefessional Manicure & Pedicure Tips

1. Removing old lacquer
Using a nail-polish and paper towel or cotton pad both offer more friction than a tissue and won�t shred the way cotton balls can. Always try to use a non- acetone polish remover. It�s less drying to nails and cuticles than regular formulas.

2. File your nails while they�re dry
You�ll get a better shape if you file before soaking. Overly abrasive files, including anything metal, will promote peeling so choose a fine-grade emery board. The best technique, file in one direction using smooth strokes. Sawing back and forth can break the nail.

3. Soften nails and cuticles in a bowl of warm water
Mix the warm water with cuticle oil, olive oil or body lotion. After 10 minutes of soaking, dry off and apply cuticle cream or lotion. Gently ease cuticles back by making tiny circles against the cuticle with an orangewood stick- a thin wooden stick with a slant-edge tip at both ends that are sold n drugstores wrapped in cotton.

Next, rub cuticles with a warm, damp, washcloth in the same gentle way. The circular motion helps slough away that white membrane, which is dead cuticle skin. Many salons cut cuticles to get a clean-looking result in little time, but it�s not healthy practice: The cuticle forms a protective seal between the nail and the skin to prevent irritants from getting into the skin, and cutting it can result in infection. You need to coddle your cuticles. Avoid cutting them or pushing back aggressively. Doing either can damage the nail matrix, the area under the cuticles where growth takes place.

4. Wash away oil or lotion
Use soap and water and dry the nails thoroughly. Rubbing them with polish remover again as they do in salons shouldn�t be necessary and can actually over-dry nails.

5. Apply a basecoat
Basecoat is like a double-stick tape for your nails. It holds polish in place so it lasts longer. It also prevents dark lacquers from tinting your nails.

6. Sweep on polish
The way they do at salons, in three strokes, from base to tip. Go up per dunk before applying to nail. This helps you apply the thinnest coats possible.

7. Wait two minutes between each coat of color
Base and top coats are included to speed up overall drying time. Set an egg timer.

8. Finish with a topcoat
If you have the time, use a topcoat�s designed to be shinny and protective. It will offer a harder, longer-lasting protective shell with a higher shine that fast- drying topcoat can provide.

Wearing a topcoat also can keep your nails healthy. It helps prevent water loss, so nail breaks less. Still, if you�re in a rush, don�t risks ruining your nails by all means go with the speedy version. And use a quick-dry topcoat every other day to prolong the life of your polish.

Hand Care

You may be going to beauty salons for facials or skin care treatments, or using homemade skin care products to take care of your face but you may have forgotten all about your hands. Your hands need just as much care as your face and you don’t even need to go to the beauty salon for this. Here are a few quick tips on how to care for your hands.

Hand Care Tips

• Always wear rubber gloves when you plan to do any household work or gardening. If your hands are exposed to too much water, soap, detergents, dirt or chemicals then, the skin of your hands can become wrinkled and rough.
• Ideally, you should moisturize your hands at least 4 times in a day, especially after washing them. Even if you do not have time make it a habit of moisturizing your hands before you go to bed at night. This is just as important as brushing you teeth before you go to bed, every night. 

• You can also use your face exfoliator on your hands. This will help to remove any dirt and dead skin cells, and nourish and rejuvenate the skin of your hands.
• You can scrub your hands with bath salts, after washing them with soap. This will leave your hands squeaky clean. Do remember to slather some moisturizer on your hands afterwards.
• If you have oily hands, you can try rubbing cornmeal on them after washing them with soap.
• Go in for regular manicures (professional or homemade) to keep your hands and nails in good condition.
• Drink lots of water and fresh fruit juices. Eat a balanced, low-oil diet.
• Exercise regularly. If you are healthy and fit, you skin will have a healthy glow.
• If the skin of your hands is dry and flaky—you can massage a little petroleum jelly on your hands before you go to bed at night. After you do this, you may wear thin cotton gloves. Wake up in the morning and enjoy the soft feel of your hands.
• A quick, easy-to-make homemade scrub for your hand will help. Here’s the recipe for a rejuvenating homemade hand scrub:

Ingredients for the homemade hand scrub recipe

• White Oats- 1 tbsp.
• Honey-1 tsp.
• Water-½ cup
• Milk (refrigerated)-1 tbsp.

How to prepare the hand scrub
Take the water and the oats in a glass (Pyrex) vessel. Boil the mixture till the water evaporates, completely. Take care not to burn the oats. Scrape out the well-boiled oats and put it in a glass bowl. Add the milk and honey to the boiled oats and mix well.

How to apply the hand scrub

• Clean your hands with a mild soap.
• Pat your hands dry with a soft towel.
• Apply the hand scrub, evenly, over your hands (fingers included).
• Leave on for 10 minutes.
• Wash off the hand scrub with lukewarm water.
• Pat your hands dry with a soft towel.
• Take an almond-sized drop of moisturizer in your palm. Massage it into the skin of your hands and fingers, using gentle but firm rotating movements of your finger tips.
• Use this hand scrub two times a week for best results.
• This hand scrub exfoliates, moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin of your hands. Use this hand scrub, regularly, and enjoy the clean,
• soft and firm feel of your hands. (You may use this scrub for your feet as well.)

Note: Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.