What do your nails really need?

You know how our legs need to be moisturised to stay smooth? And our hair needs nourishment to prevent split ends? Well, our nails need some love and care to look their best, too - the perfect mani doesn’t just happen overnight! So if you’ve been neglecting your paws, listen up and learn just how to take care of them properly.

Careful cleansing

How many times do you wash your hands during the day? If you’re a big tea drinker (and need to pee every five minutes), then it’s probably too many to count. Frequent hand-washing can dry out your hands as well as your cuticles, which can then cause those nasty skin splits. You know, the ones you try to pick off - only to make matters A LOT worse. To combat this, use a pea-sized amount of a hydrating hand wash whenever you wash your hands. Also, try to pat your mitts dry with a towel and avoid heated hand-dryers.

bh recommends: Circa Home 1998 Mango and Papaya Hand Wash, Palmolive Foaming Hand Wash Raspberry Pump and DermaSukin Daily Hydrating Wash.  

Trim it back

You’re more likely to chip or break your nails if they’re too long. So while long, claw-like nails come in and out of fashion, it’s a good idea to keep your nails relatively short to avoid any breakage. That is, unless you want jagged nails! Our advice? File your nails every week, and you may not won’t even have to bring out the scissors.

bh recommends: Bio Sculpture Nail Files and Manicare 4-way Buffer.

But the trimming doesn’t stop there. To get rid of any dead, dry-looking skin around the nails, you need to trim your cuticles every now and then. Soak your fingers in warm water to soften the cuticles before dipping them into a cuticle remover, like Revitanail Cuticle Remover Gel. Then, gently push back the cuticles before trimming any remaining hangnails.

bh recommends: Use the Sally Hansen Push ‘n Trim for both steps.

Oil up

Now, let’s talk about cuticle oil. If you’re prone to hangnails or dry, cracked cuticles, please, please, please add this step to your nail care routine. By applying cuticle oil every night (yes, not just when you paint your nails!), you’ll keep your nails protected and looking smooth and healthy. Not a fan of oil? No worries - there are also cream options on the market.

bh recommends: essie apricot cuticle oil, Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go.

Get creamy

The hydration shouldn’t stop at your cuticles. Plus, what good are healthy-looking nails on dry, rough hands? While we’re already aware of the importance of using a hand cream for the sake of hand health, did you know they can also help to strengthen and protect nails? Bonus: All that extra moisture will make sure your mani stays super shiny.

bh recommends: Glasshouse Fragrances Montego Bay Hand Cream, A'kin Lavender, Geranium & Jojoba, Nail & Cuticle and Designer Brands Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream.

Nourish from within

Beauty is just as much about what you put inside than what you put on the outside - and the strength of your nails is no exception. If you’re prone to breakage, splits or ridges, your diet may have something to do with it. Try incorporating these foods into your mealtimes, and take a supplement daily to boost nail health.

bh recommends: Blackmores Nails Hair and Skin and Swisse Ultiboost Hair Skin Nails+.

How do you look after your nails? Do you have any tricks for perfecting a mani?

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