Last week we told you about the best manicure trends this season, well.. This week we are going to rewind things just a little bit and dive into nail care 101. Not only is it important to take care of your hands with the best skin care - you also want to treat your hands with the same care. Whether you’re the at-home DIY women or you have standing appointments at your favorite nail salon, we’ll give you tips and tricks and things to look out for when it comes to caring for your nails.

Skip the soak.

Yes, we know that you may have spent years going into a nail salon for your manicurist to plop down a dish of warm water to soak your nails in. Here’s why you should skip it - your nails will absorb the water which (believe it or not) causes them to swell slightly, which makes it easier to cut or file your nails too short, and it may actually even cause your manicure to not stick around as along. If you soak your nails and apply your polish, as your nails dry, the moisture has no where to escape which makes the polish lift from the nail resulting in chipped polish - and no one wants that.

Cuticle care.

So, you may be thinking that if you skip the soak, how will your cuticles become soft enough to push back? We recommend using a cuticle remover, which will make them soft enough to push back with a (you guessed it) cuticle pusher. Make sure that you clean your nail tools thoroughly after each use. 

Clip & shape.

If you’re removing a lot of length from your nails, we’d recommend clipping them prior to filing and shaping. When it comes to filing, we prefer using a glass file over an emery board as glass is easier to clean and sanitize over  regular emery board. When filing make sure to file in the same direction rather than sawing back and forth to prevent breaks and splits in your nails. We would also like to note that if you do like to visit a nail salon, make sure that your nail technician uses clean, sanitized tools each time. They should open their sanitized tools in front of you as well, and if not - don’t be afraid to ask!

Avoid nail discoloration.

Before applying your nail color, we recommend using a base coat to avoid staining and yellowing of your nails, and to help your polish last longer!

Oil it up.

Once your polish & top coat has dried completely, apply an oil to your cuticles once or twice per day to make sure they stay hydrated and to help prevent hangnails!

Take a break. 

It’s always a good idea to give your nails a break from polishes, instead use your week off from your favorite nail color (or try out a new trend) to apply a nail strengthener. This is especially helpful if you’re prone to brittle nails.

Check the label.

Make sure you have a look at the ingredients used in your nail products. Things such as formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate can actually cause your nails to break and chip. We recommend looking for a five, seven, or nine free option.

You are what you eat.

Remember the key to having strong, healthy nails comes down to making sure that you’re eating enough protein and vitamin enriched foods. Vitamins A & C help prevent dry, dull nails while vitamin B can help combat brittle nails. Also, be sure to keep the water up for hydration!

Are you already planning your weekend in with a glass of wine, reality TV and some pampering - give your hands the full experience with our full collection of hand care!