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When it comes to bodycare, nails are often at the top of the list. Although I have to say that I often leave them neglected. Not great when this article is about keeping your nails gorgeous. Don’t do what I do. With these top 5 tips you will nave gorgeous natural nails.
This article is about looking beautiful naturally. This is not about creating natural looking nails with a manicure. If you want to know about homemade natural remedies for nails then keep reading.
On this page you will find:
"Like hair, nails are made up of a protein called keratin"
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Nail anatomy
First of all, nails are not bone. Like hair, nails are made up of a protein called keratin. They are basically the hardened off part of your skin. The look of the nail depends on the vitamins and minerals in your body. Any vitamins or minerals are carried in your blood stream to the whole of your body, including your nails. Also, if there are any stresses in your life, that can affect your nail health. This can reduce the natural beauty of the nail.
But, there are a number of steps you can take to return natural beauty to your nails.
Let’s move on to my 5 tips for gorgeous natural nails
Tip 1 | Safely remove dirt from under your nails
Realistically, nails need daily care. Especially if your nails are long. A lot of dirt can collect under your nails so make sure when you wash your hands, focus on your nails too. Do not use tips of scissors or any sharp objects to remove dirt from under your nails. This can damage your nail and push the dirt further down under your nail.
"Simply scratch a soap bar a little so the soap gets under your nails."
You might be wondering: “How can I prevent dirt under nails?”
If you know you will be working in the garden, for example, you can prevent any dirt getting under your nails. Simply scratch a soap bar a little so the soap gets under your nails. Once you have finished whatever it is you were doing, wash your hands as normal. Make sure you wash off all of the soap under your nail. Unless you want food with a sprinkling of soap.
Tip 2 | Always remove chipped nail varnish with acetone free nail varnish remover
Healthy natural nails should be pale pink and shiny. If you have had a manicure, your nail polish should be intact. Nail polish should enhance the look or your nails. Any chips will make nails look scruffy. When I say nail varnish, I mean a non toxic nail varnish.
"You should always remove nail polish safely, with nail polish remover."
What you don’t want to do is scratch off the chipped nail polish with your nails. You should always remove nail polish safely, with nail polish remover.
I know this might not always be easy (we are all busy people), but try to remove nail varnish when it is chipped. Leaving chipped nail varnish on your nails is just not a good look. I recommend a nail polish remover that is acetone free because it is yet another chemical that you don’t need in your life.
Tip 3 | Limit your use of nail polish or false nails
If you paint nails or use false nails regularly, this can make your own nails dull and brittle. This is because the chemicals in nails polish or the glue used for false nails are harmful.
I mean I don’t even know what is in nail polish or nail glue (a topic for my next article probably). What I do know is that if nail polish brands don’t list the ingredients, then that is not a good sign.
"the chemicals in nails polish or the glue used for false nails are harmful."
Another thing you should be mindful of is when you wash up. I know, everyone has a dishwasher. Who washes up these days?! Well, someone does. And I want to cover all bases.
When you wash up, the chemicals in washing up liquid damages your skin and nails. Regular washing up dries out your skin and nails too. So, just wear rubber gloves. The trusty yellow Marigolds are great.
Tip 4 | Never bite your nails
It might go without saying, but biting your nails is not good for your nail health. It is not good for your general health either. Dirt and bacteria can collect under the nail, which you then ingest (eat) together with the bitten off nail. So, don’ bite your nails. In fact, don’t even cut your nails with scissors.
You should always have nail care tools like a nail file at hand. I like to use a glass nail file. It is reliable and does an excellent job of filing nails.
Tip 5 | File your nails properly
Part of your nail care routine should include filing your nails properly. Firstly, never file the edges of your nails too short. This can lead to inflammation. At least once a week leave some bodycare time for yourself to file your nails. Apply some organic coconut oil or natural hand cream around your nails to avoid hangnails. Hangnails make your hands look scruffy and can lead to inflammation.
"In fact, don’t even cut your nails with scissors."
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If you have dull, brittle nails
You can strengthen brittle nails using the following simple method.
- Warm up some vegetable oil. You only need enough for a mini nail bath.
- Then add vitamin A. You can use a liquid vitamin A capsule and cut it to release the liquid.
- Add 5 drops of lemon juice
- You can repeat this mini nail bath 1-2 times a week.
Avoid buying any nails products that claim to make your nails stronger. These beauty products are full of chemicals that you do not need. I can promise you that.
Another method to help brittle nails is a wax nail mask. I don’t think anyone has heard of this before. Well now you have! And it is easier than you think.
You can add this to your weekly nail care routine.
To make the wax nail mask:
- Melt some wax. You can do this by placing some wax in a glass bowl. Then put the bowl over a saucepan filled with hot water. The water can simmer on the hob and the wax should melt.
- Cool the wax very slightly and dip your tips into the wax. Make sure to over your whole nail. The wax will form a mould around your fingertip like a little finger hat.
- Leave these finger hats overnight.
This can be used as a great home remedy for nails after acrylics or any other false nails.
Vitamins for healthy nails
Your natural nails will be stronger and will grow quicker if you include vitamins for healthy nails. Include foods rich in vitamins A and D, gelatine, proteins and mineral salts.
If you have brittle nails, you can apply vitamin A straight on to them.
"Another method to help brittle nails is a wax nail mask. I don’t think anyone has heard of this before."
How to remove cuticles for beautiful natural nails
Most of us will have those really annoying bits of skin at the bottom of our nails. They make your nails look untidy and they keep coming back! I am talking about your cuticles of course. They do serve a purpose of keeping your nail healthy though. So don’t be too annoyed at your cuticles.
There is a way to remove cuticles safely at home. You can do this whilst filing your nails.
- Firstly, use a nail file or a cuticle pusher to gently push back the cuticle to the very bottom of your nail. The cuticle should move away from the nail and form a little bump. This will make the cuticle easier to cut off.
- Cut off the cuticle using a cuticle remover. Do this gently and take your time.
- After this I suggest moisturising the area with some organic hand or body cream. I also really like using organic coconut oil. This will prevent any hangnails. I am sorry, but I don't believe in "cuticle oil". Any oil like the organic coconut oil can be a cuticle oil.
Conclusion
As with everything that I suggest, this is the chemical free way to look after your nails. Natural beauty is all about enhancing the features that you already have. This means just having healthy natural nails and looking after them with natural, non-toxic beauty products.
This suits me very well because I do not have time to paint my nails on a regular basis. Because of my lifestyle, if I paint my nails, I am usually disappointed. As soon as I start cooking or cleaning, the beautiful nail varnish just chips off. Then I either have to take the varnish off and completely repaint my nails, or just put up with the horrible look of chipped nail varnish. I don’t want to do either.
Have you heard or tried any of the above tips for gorgeous, natural nails? Give them a go and let me know how they worked for you!
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