Tips for Healthy Fingernails from our Nail Salon in Cirencester
Whether you prefer to work bold and bright nail colours or a polish-free natural look, the key to either of these looking good, is having healthy strong nails.
We’ve talked in the past about the colours and nail shapes that are on trend, but there’s so much more to having great-looking nails, and the fabulous Alana from the Llama Lounge nail salon in Cirencester Blushes is here to share her top tips for achieving healthy nails that will look stunning with or without a coat of varnish.
Not only is Alana the master of creative nail colour, she’s also the expert on classic nail care for both your hands and feet. So if you want neat cuticles and strong smooth nails, keep reading.
’Nailing’ your nutrition
Healthy nails can only grow strong when you feed them well. That includes making sure you get enough of the nutrients that build your nails' structure from your diet. A lack of vitamins can sometimes explain why your nails split or break off easily, look dull, or have white specks and other discolouration.
Eating more foods rich in vitamin E, zinc and iron every day will help strengthen your nails, as well as lean protein and Omega-3. This article from Good Housekeeping magazine on the 5 foods that can make your nails stronger is well worth a read.
Cleansing Considerations
Just in the same way you would choose nourishing, moisture-rich skin and body care products for the bath, the same goes for your nails. Choosing gentle products to wash and hydrate your hands and nails will keep your cuticles soft and your nails smooth.
Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and harsh hand washes can dry out both your nails and nail beds making them brittle and more likely to break.
You’ll want to look for a moisturising hand soap and make sure you dry your hands thoroughly after washing, by gently dabbing dry rather than scrubbing! Alana also recommends any moisturiser that contains urea, phospholipids, or lactic acid as they’re great at preventing dryness and cracking.
The same goes for household cleaning products. If you have to do the washing up or clean the bathroom, a pair of Marigolds need to be your new best friend!
Another ‘handy’ tip (not sorry) is to massage a rich nail and cuticle moisturiser or oil in before bed so it can soak in and work its moisturinsing magic while you sleep.
Oh…..and try to avoid biting your nails or the skin around them. All the moisturiser in the world won't save your nails if you nibble on them.
Manicure Maintenance
Putting your fingers into the safe hands of a skilled nail technician like Alana in our nail salon in Cirencester will bring you long-term benefits. Regular manicures will keep your nails and cuticles trimmed and shaped to stop them from catching and breaking easily.
The relaxing moisturising hand massage will also promote healthy blood flow in your hands and improve circulation, which is always a good thing.
Nail Builders
If you’re looking to grow your nails or protect them from damage, you might want to consider a nail-building treatment like a BIAB Gel manicure.
BIAB is a thick gel product (not to be confused with gel polish!) that protects your nails and aids nail growth from underneath. And it doesn’t need to be set under a UV lamp. BIAB is a 1 step process with your primer, base coat, colour, and builder all in one product.
It’s worth emphasizing that while you can soak off BIAB nails at home with acetone, it’s worth popping into a salon to have your gel nails soaked off by a specialist to avoid damaging your nail structure. They can ensure all the product is removed safely and that your nails and cuticles are properly moisturised.
Give Alana (our Blushes Cirencester in-house expert) a call for more personalised advice on how to keep your nails in tip-top condition, and book your nails in for a beauty treatment in Cirencester.