Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Express Nails

How To Do Your Nails Fast
When you are in a rush, decisions have to be made. Prioritize. Do you shape or polish? Do you quick-dry or go the long, slow route? New formulas allow for snap decisions:

Speed-dry enamels are worthy of their name (you can open mail, search for keys, or put on your tightest long-sleeved shirt within seconds), but there's a downside: "As fast as they dry, that's as fast they chip," insists manicurist Elisa Ferri, so save them for emergencies. Take a few extra days out of a fast-dry manicure by doing a daily touch-up with a quick-drying coat.

In the other corner, there are strong, chip-resistant formulas - the tortoise of the polish race. To pick up the pace of these tougher enamels, like L'Oreal Shock Proof, carefully submerge freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds to harden still-groopy polish.

Light or sheer shades are best for hasty manicures, Ferri says. "You can even get away with just a wide stripe down the center" rather than painstakingly painting the entire nail.

If a manicure is beyond the repair of a topcoat or two, face facts and call in the remover. You can keep single-use packets of nail polish remover (Cutex and Get Fresh make them) on hand so you can strip away color on the run.

When there is no time for polish, just clean underneath the nails, rub on a buffing cream, and shine them with a chamois buffer.

Tips to keep your nails strong and sexy

Our hands are such an integral part of our daily lives, and constantly, we risk their health and strength, often without even noticing, because of the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day activities. Take a few moments each day, or at least a few times a week, to monitor the condition of your nails -- the color, the texture, the appearance of ridges or white marks.

Make a greater effort to take good care of your nails, and you will be thrilled with the way they complement your wardrobe and your own personal style. Consider the following tips as a way to enhance the health and quality of your nails.

Great, healthy Nails

* Apply speed-dry nail polish when time is of the essence;

* Drink a lot of water. Keep your body hydrated everyday to maintain healthy nails;

* Fortify your diet with FDA approved vitamins or supplements. Your fingernails count on you to be responsible with your health and your diet. Unless instructed otherwise by your physician, increase your daily doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, folic acid, protein, Vitamin B12, and zinc;

* Touch up your manicure on a daily basis to prevent chips and cracks.

* Your nails depend on you to maintain a healthy diet. Take in a lot of healthy foods.

Nail polish tips

* Finish with a clear topcoat to add gloss and sheen;

* Start with a base coat to strengthen and protect the nails;

* Store nail polish in the refrigerator to maintain a smooth consistency;

* Try not to store nail polish in a room that becomes cold. The nail polish bottles may break without warning, leaving you with a big mess.To avoid breaking nails or brittle nails

* Avoid using your nails as tools. This means no picking, scratching, digging, pinching, etc. You know who you are;

* Increase the amount of calcium in your diet;

* Use products containing alcohol, especially perfumed lotions, sparingly. These items can make nails prone to breaking;

* Wear rubber gloves when you do chores that involve continual submersion in water or contact with harsh detergents or chemicals.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

A Handy Nailcare Guide

  • Fingernails are formed under the cuticle and grow out toward the fingertip. Thus any injury to the cuticle can affect the nail.

  • It takes about six months for a nail to grow from cuticle to tip, but nail growth varies from person to person and finger to finger. Thumb and pinky nails grow more slowly than those on the middle and index finger. Male nails grow a little faster than female nails. Fast-growing nails are an indication that you are well-nourished, but no single food promotes nail growth.

  • Taking vitamins or minerals or increasing protein intake will not strengthen nails. Nor will consuming gelatin, contrary to myth and advertising.

  • Nail ridges and spots are seldom anything to worry about. Many people have white lines or spots on one or more nails. Vertical ridges or striations are often hereditary and may become more prominent with age. Horizontal ridges are usually the result of small injuries or overzealous manicuring. Most dark-skinned persons have pigmented bands on their nails. Occasionally, however, ridges and other nail abnormalities are a sign of a serious illness.

  • Splitting nails are usually just another version of dry skin. Fragile nails are sometimes caused by thyroid disorders, anorexia, anemia, or severely deficient diets. But most often they are just a nuisance.

  • Dryness is an enemy of fingernails. Hot water and soap can dry them; so can gardening or household chores. Keeping nails wet for long periods makes them brittle when dry. Winter is hard on nails, so gloves and a moisturizer are a good idea.

  • Another enemy is nail products. Cuticle removers contain harsh chemicals that can make your nails drier; so do nail polish and polish remover. Chemicals in nail wraps or “sculptured” nails can damage nails and the nail base. The fewer compounds you apply to your nails, the better.


UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, January 2005


Sunday, April 6, 2008

The most popular nail color


There is one nail color out there that is famous for it's perfect color. Perhaps the most popular -- & most universally beloved -- nail polish color is OPI's 'I'm Not Really a Waitress' . No shock there, huh?

Saturday, April 5, 2008

How to give a foot massage

How does a foot massage sound?

Regardless of whether you're on the receiving end of a foot massage or you're the one giving it, you both will experience many benefits, Even if you are simply massaging your own feet, it can still be a rewarding and satisfying way to end your day.

The giver: Giving a friend or loved one a foot massage is very soothing and calming for you, too, and can actually cause your blood pressure to decrease. It's a very caring, nurturing, and bonding experience to share with another person.

The receiver: Obviously, this is really the best position to be in. Foot massage will help reduce your stress, boost circulation, and relieve blood stagnation from wearing ill-fitting shoes. In addition, it will dramatically relax your body, soothe foot muscles, and undo knots and tension in your toes, balls of your feet, arches, and ankles. It will even soften your feet if a cream or massage oil is applied!

One-on-one: Though not as fulfilling as having your feet massaged by another, self-massage enables you to care for your feet on a regular basis, to de-stress and pamper your feet as you see fit.

Techniques of foot massage

A foot massage can be performed at any time you wish or as part of a home pedicure procedure. The following illustrations depict some standard foot massage techniques that a nail technician might perform on a client during a pedicure. If you do not have a willing partner to give you a massage, never fear. These techniques are just as easily done (with some minor alterations) alone.

If a partner is involved, have the one receiving the foot massage recline against a big pillow on the sofa or bed to fully relax the entire body. Foot massage feels really great if the whole body is at ease.

If you're going solo, find a comfortable chair, preferably one with padded arms and a foot rest, such as a recliner. Sit back, prop one foot in your lap and let the other rest extended in front of you, and massage those feet until they smile.

If using a massage oil or lotion, protect clothing and furniture with a towel or two. Rub oiled or creamed hands together vigorously to warm them before beginning the foot massage. Complete all six steps on one foot before moving on to the other.

Step 1: Stroke the top of the foot

Stroking stimulates circulation and warms the foot. Holding your partner's foot in your hands, on the top of the foot begin a long, slow, firm, stroking motion with your thumbs, starting at the tips of the toes and sliding back away from you, all the way up to the ankle, then retrace your steps back to the toes with a lighter stroke. Repeat this step three to five times.



Stroke the bottom of the foot.

Step 2: Ankle rotations
Loosens joints and relaxes feet. Cup one hand under the heel, behind the ankle, to brace the foot and leg.

Grasp the ball of the foot with the other hand and turn the foot slowly at the ankle for three to five times in each direction. With repeated foot massages, any stiffness will begin to recede. This is a particularly good exercise for those of you suffering from arthritis.



Rotate the foot from the ankle.

Step 3: Toe pulls and squeezes
Toes, like fingers, are quite sensitive to the touch -- this massage can be very calming. Grasp the foot beneath the arch. With the other hand, beginning with the big toe, hold the toe with your thumb on top and index finger beneath.

Starting at the base of the toe, slowly and firmly pull the toe, sliding your fingers to the top and back to the base. Now repeat, but gently squeeze and roll the toe between your thumb and index finger, working your way to the tip and back to the base. Repeat these two movements on the remaining toes.



Gently pull and squeeze the toes.

Step 4: Toe slides
Grasp foot behind the ankle, cupping under heel. With the index finger of the other hand, insert your finger between the toes, back and forth for three to five times.



Slide your fingers between the toes.

Step 5: Arch press
Releases tension in the inner and outer longitudinal arches. Hold foot as you did in Step 4.

Using the heel of your other hand, push hard as you slide along the arch from the ball of the foot toward the heel and back again. Repeat five times. This part of the foot can stand a little extra exertion on your part, just don't apply too much pressure. Push your hand along the arch of the foot.


Step 6: Stroking. Repeat step 1
This is a good way to begin and end a foot massage.

Agony of the Feet Relaxing Massage Oil
You'll need:
2 teaspoons (10 ml) castor, jojoba, soybean, or extra-virgin olive oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop German chamomile essential oil
1 drop geranium essential oil

To make:
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly. Yields one treatment.

To use:
Use approximately 1 teaspoon (5 ml per foot and massage in completely. Inhale the aroma on your hands before you massage, and continue to breathe deeply, as these particular oils are extremely calming. Put on socks after massage to absorb excess oil and soften feet.

Too much water and chemicals


Ever notice how dry your nails get...especially after you've had them in water? Get into the habit of wearing rubber gloves when you do any cleaning around the house.

The reason? Cleaning agents can be extremely harsh on both nails and hands. The nails when exposed to water, swell and then shrink back as they dry. This contributes to brittle nails.

8 Color Tips for Nails

Moisturize cuticles. Cuticle oils penetrate the skin bed best. Don't have cuticle oil on hand? Use a rich hand cream or even lip balm.


Prep nails by filing. File nails in an oval shape just like the curve of your nail base. Square tips could make your fingers look chubby.


It's important to wipe nails with a nail polish remover before applying polish even if you aren't wearing polish. Why? Oils left on the nail (like the hand cream or lip balm) will keep polish from sticking. But don't clean nails with cotton balls. Why? They'll leave little fuzzies on your nails. A better option is to use a makeup sponge or Stripper to Go pads from celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann.


Wrap the tips of your nails with polish. When applying polish, be sure to bring it over the front edge of the nail and slightly under the tip. This helps prevent chipping.


If the polish chips, it's best to remove the paint from the nail and start over. If you don't have time, dip your finger in nail polish remover and smooth over the chipped area and re-apply a topcoat.


Smudged your polish while painting? Try this trick: dip your finger in nail polish remover and use it to smooth the surface, repainting with a topcoat.


The secret to keeping nails from smudging: Dry time! Surfaces will feel dry to the touch after 10 minutes, but don't be fooled. It actually takes an entire hour for nails to completely dry.


When a nail breaks, the best thing to do is to cut it off. But here's a trick if the break is low down (& painful, undoubtedly): cut a tiny strip of gauze from a teabag, place it over the tear & the paint over with polish.


To maintain a fresh polish, add a fresh layer of topcoat every other day.


How long should your manicure last? Experts say one to 2 weeks. A pedicure should last 2 to 4 weeks.

A couple expert tips we've learned over the years:

1. Want to ensure your nails are the right shape? Line each finger up with its opposite, cuticle-to-cuticle.

2. Fingers stained from nicotine, berries or too dark polish? Take a whitening toothpaste (we like Rembrandt & brush away the stains.

3. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. You'll find it dries faster.