·
"Shellac is a hybrid nail treatment,
with the finish of a traditional polish but the long-lasting results of a gel
treatment. It is scratch and wear-resistant and can have a variety of finishes
including creme, pearl and metallic.
·
In
the run-up to your Shellac manicure,
I'd advise you to apply a nail and cuticle oil (I like CND Solar Oil )
to
keep the area conditioned and maintain the natural nail's flexibility. You
should be using a product like this anyway to keep nails in good health and
maintain moisture.
Sweep the brush across all 10 nails coating them in SolarOil - rub gently into the nail and the surrounding soft tissue! Use as often as you like!
After your manicure, keep using nail and cuticle
oil to keep both the nails and the product well-conditioned. It's a good idea
to wear rubber gloves when doing household chores, to keep your nails shiny.
Healthy nails mean strong nails - and stronger nails don't just look
better, they stay polished for longer, too. But how can you build up their
strength?
The way you
treat your nails has a
lot to do with how strong they are. Rubber gloves might not look very cool, but
if you over-expose your hands to water it will weaken your nails - so wear
gloves every time you wash up.
Keep a mini-tube of hand
cream, , in your bag to reduce dehydration from hand-washing when you're out
and about.
We all know
beauty comes from within, but this is especially true when it comes to your
nails. "Since nails are growing and replacing themselves all the time,
they need a good supply of minerals in the diet.
"Mineral-rich
foods include lean meats, fish, eggs, grains, low-fat dairy, nuts and
seeds."
When you do
your nails at home, make like a manicurist and file them in one direction only.
Sawing at your nails, or buffing too vigorously, will cause splitting and
peeling.
The cuticle is where nails
are created so don't neglect this area: a nourished cuticle will grow a
resilient nail.
Oils like will penetrate to the nail root, helping the
development of strong and healthy.
Nail strengtheners that
you paint on like polish can help toughen up your talons, but don't rely on
them - use as an extra to good nail care and nutrition.