Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Four Easy Tips For Longer, Stronger Nails ..
1. Avoid nail polishes containing formaldehyde.
This chemical can cross link the keratin protein in your nails. While it does make the nails harder, it also makes them so stiff that they become brittle so they actually break MORE easily.
2. Dont bother with gelatin.
Many products claim that gelatin strengthens nails because it is made from protein, but there is no scientific evidence that gelatin has any benefit to nails.
3. Limit your use of polish removers.
These products contain alcohol and other solvents that dry nails out, making them more prone to breakage.
4. Use a good hand cream or cuticle cream.
Daily exposure to detergents and harsh chemicals dries out your nails and makes them break more easily. By moisturizing them often you can prevent loss of moisture and reduce the chance of breakage. Lotions with petrolatum or mineral oil are the best. You might try the Terra Naturals Nail Strengthener.
Source: http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/04/04/four-easy-tips-for-longer-stonger-nails/
This chemical can cross link the keratin protein in your nails. While it does make the nails harder, it also makes them so stiff that they become brittle so they actually break MORE easily.
2. Dont bother with gelatin.
Many products claim that gelatin strengthens nails because it is made from protein, but there is no scientific evidence that gelatin has any benefit to nails.
3. Limit your use of polish removers.
These products contain alcohol and other solvents that dry nails out, making them more prone to breakage.
4. Use a good hand cream or cuticle cream.
Daily exposure to detergents and harsh chemicals dries out your nails and makes them break more easily. By moisturizing them often you can prevent loss of moisture and reduce the chance of breakage. Lotions with petrolatum or mineral oil are the best. You might try the Terra Naturals Nail Strengthener.
Source: http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/04/04/four-easy-tips-for-longer-stonger-nails/
LcB Nail Lacquer
LaKhiva Blann of Little Rock has created a new nail polish line for one specific purpose - to build self-esteem.
Take a peek - http://www.lcbnaillacquer.com/shop.html
Take a peek - http://www.lcbnaillacquer.com/shop.html
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sally Hansen Color Quick
This is fabulous! Just click the pen for color and paint your nails. You can even carry this pen in your purse. It really really does dry very quickly.
http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=397
http://www.sallyhansen.com/product.cfm?product=397
Monday, February 7, 2011
Shelf Life of Nail Polish
Just as it dries on your nails, over time, nail polish can dry out in the bottle. Here are some good rules to make your prized polishes last as long as possible.
What's In Nail Polish?
Women have been painting their nails as far back as 3000 B.C. when the Chinese used a combination of Arabic gum, egg whites, gelatin, and beeswax to make a lacquer, with crushed flowers to provide color. While these ingredients are certainly not used in today's nail polishers, the art of painting one's nails has evolved through the years. The chief base ingredient is nitrocellulose, which is a highly flammable compound that can be combined with a solvent to make a lacquer. Today, cosmetics companies add a variety of compounds to enhance color, drying time, and staying power.
How Long Will It Last?
As a rule of thumb, nail polish can last at best for two years. While from a health perspective there are no chemicals in nail polish that are dangerous after two years, the polish typically dries to a point where it's discolored, or a smooth application cannot be achieved.
Are There Ways I Can Extend Nail Polish's Shelf Life?
Here are some general rules for storing your polish:
1. Keep polish in a cool, dry place. Nail polish is most affected by heat.
2. Keep a tight lid on the bottle. While this may seem simple, ensuring your polish is fully sealed can go a long away in extending its life.
3. Store bottles in an upright position. Bottles that are kept on their sides (or even upside down) can discolor more easily because it's harder to shake the pigments together.
Should I Refrigerate My Nail Polishes?
While many claim that keeping polish in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life, there is no conclusive proof that this method works. Refrigeration may slow the drying-out process; however, some of the ingredients in nail polish are highly flammable. Keeping them in an electric refrigerator may be more of a safety concern than a health concern.
Nail Polish Goes Green
Nail polish is known for its strong smell, and this is chiefly due to the chemical ingredients it contains. Today, companies are releasing polishes that are termed non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, or even water-based, which uses water and plant-based compounds to create a nail-polish-like substance. Because chemicals are incorporated with standard nail polishes to extend their shelf lives, these types of polish may not last as long as their chemical counterparts.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5112923_shelf-life-nail-polish.html
What's In Nail Polish?
Women have been painting their nails as far back as 3000 B.C. when the Chinese used a combination of Arabic gum, egg whites, gelatin, and beeswax to make a lacquer, with crushed flowers to provide color. While these ingredients are certainly not used in today's nail polishers, the art of painting one's nails has evolved through the years. The chief base ingredient is nitrocellulose, which is a highly flammable compound that can be combined with a solvent to make a lacquer. Today, cosmetics companies add a variety of compounds to enhance color, drying time, and staying power.
How Long Will It Last?
As a rule of thumb, nail polish can last at best for two years. While from a health perspective there are no chemicals in nail polish that are dangerous after two years, the polish typically dries to a point where it's discolored, or a smooth application cannot be achieved.
Are There Ways I Can Extend Nail Polish's Shelf Life?
Here are some general rules for storing your polish:
1. Keep polish in a cool, dry place. Nail polish is most affected by heat.
2. Keep a tight lid on the bottle. While this may seem simple, ensuring your polish is fully sealed can go a long away in extending its life.
3. Store bottles in an upright position. Bottles that are kept on their sides (or even upside down) can discolor more easily because it's harder to shake the pigments together.
Should I Refrigerate My Nail Polishes?
While many claim that keeping polish in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life, there is no conclusive proof that this method works. Refrigeration may slow the drying-out process; however, some of the ingredients in nail polish are highly flammable. Keeping them in an electric refrigerator may be more of a safety concern than a health concern.
Nail Polish Goes Green
Nail polish is known for its strong smell, and this is chiefly due to the chemical ingredients it contains. Today, companies are releasing polishes that are termed non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, or even water-based, which uses water and plant-based compounds to create a nail-polish-like substance. Because chemicals are incorporated with standard nail polishes to extend their shelf lives, these types of polish may not last as long as their chemical counterparts.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5112923_shelf-life-nail-polish.html
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Nail Fungus
Nail fungus may grow in the nail bed on both the fingernails and the toenails. Fungus grows in dark, moist areas and may grow under the nails after you use public showers and swimming pools, says the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, toenail fungus may be caused by wearing synthetic socks or wearing the same pair of shoes over and over. In some cases, you can reduce fungus naturally with home remedies.
Vinegar
Soaking the nails in vinegar may be effective in reducing some cases of toenail or fingernail fungus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although it may not be effective in all cases, the home remedy is inexpensive and may be worth a try. Soak your feet or hands for 15 to 20 minutes in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts warm water once a day. If the vinegar causes skin irritation, add more water to the solution or reduce soaking to three or four times a week.
Trim Nails
Trim nails short; the lifting of a long nail from its bed can give fungus access to the nail bed. To keep fungus from spreading, keep nails trimmed as close to the nail bed as possible. Do not cut your cuticles, says podiatrist James Graham, D.P.M. Removing the cuticles can create an easy entrance for fungus, which can rapidly spread to the rest of the nail. Wash your hands and the nail scissors or clippers thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water after trimming your nails to keep the fungus from spreading.
Nail Brush
Use a nail brush to exfoliate the skin around the nails, recommends Richard L. Dobson, M.D., professor of dermatology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Fungus attaches itself to dead skin cells and will spread rapidly to the nails. Scrub away dead skin cells using antibacterial soap and water each day; then rinse with cool water. Wash the scrub brush after using it to prevent fungus from growing on the brush.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/116957-natural-rid-nail-fungus
Vinegar
Soaking the nails in vinegar may be effective in reducing some cases of toenail or fingernail fungus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although it may not be effective in all cases, the home remedy is inexpensive and may be worth a try. Soak your feet or hands for 15 to 20 minutes in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts warm water once a day. If the vinegar causes skin irritation, add more water to the solution or reduce soaking to three or four times a week.
Trim Nails
Trim nails short; the lifting of a long nail from its bed can give fungus access to the nail bed. To keep fungus from spreading, keep nails trimmed as close to the nail bed as possible. Do not cut your cuticles, says podiatrist James Graham, D.P.M. Removing the cuticles can create an easy entrance for fungus, which can rapidly spread to the rest of the nail. Wash your hands and the nail scissors or clippers thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water after trimming your nails to keep the fungus from spreading.
Nail Brush
Use a nail brush to exfoliate the skin around the nails, recommends Richard L. Dobson, M.D., professor of dermatology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Fungus attaches itself to dead skin cells and will spread rapidly to the nails. Scrub away dead skin cells using antibacterial soap and water each day; then rinse with cool water. Wash the scrub brush after using it to prevent fungus from growing on the brush.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/116957-natural-rid-nail-fungus
Nailcare for Men
Men's nails generally grow faster than women's nails and tend to be stronger. However, their increased surface area makes them prone to trauma from bumps and bangs. Wider nails often need more coats of nail polish and a longer time to dry as well as making it harder to keep the polish spread smoothly on the nail surface.
Should you go the route of nail salons, you may discover that they charge more for men. A non-gothic friend of mine who goes for manicure on a regular basis tells me he can often talk them down to the same price as women or find places that charge the same price for both genders. However, chances are the more complicated your needs the more likely they will charge more. It is always a good idea to find a salon you feel comfortable with and become a repeat customer. Keep in mind that you do not need to go to a nail salon if you follow my suggested weekly maintenance. If you are unsure of how to begin, you may want to go once to see how they prepare for the nail care, or do what I did and go with a friend who is getting a manicure and just watch.
Apart from a 20 minute weekly self-manicure, there is not much else needed apart from an almost daily application of clear polish to keep the nail protected. You may also want to use hand lotion once a day to help keep the cuticles soft and the nails flexible… of course most men use some sort of lotion or lubricant on a somewhat regular basis so that may not be a problem... at least for one hand.
As the subtitle "Isn't he Dainty" suggests, you need to relearn how to use your hands and fingers. The section entitled Nail Care Survival Guide covers this topic well, but I'll add that men tend to have more of a problem with long nails than women in this area because they are starting the practice so much later in life. Women have the advantage of starting younger and also learning from the experiences of their peers growing up. So be patient with yourself and accept your fate that you will break a few nails in the beginning. Stop whining about it and be a man!
There are many brands out that have released polish specifically for men that come in a variety of colors. Apart from the nice non-gloss clear polish that is great for those who like the natural look, there is no reason to bother with these brands unless you like a particular shade they carry. These gender-specific polishes were intended for mundane males who are concerned about feeling effeminate while purchasing nail polish. Goths don't tend to be concerned about such gender issues.
Finally, be realistic. If you are active in sports or other activities that are rough on the hands, long nails are probably not for you. This goes for women too, but they tend to be more aware of the limitations one's lifestyle has on nail length.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/nailcare_for_men.htm
Should you go the route of nail salons, you may discover that they charge more for men. A non-gothic friend of mine who goes for manicure on a regular basis tells me he can often talk them down to the same price as women or find places that charge the same price for both genders. However, chances are the more complicated your needs the more likely they will charge more. It is always a good idea to find a salon you feel comfortable with and become a repeat customer. Keep in mind that you do not need to go to a nail salon if you follow my suggested weekly maintenance. If you are unsure of how to begin, you may want to go once to see how they prepare for the nail care, or do what I did and go with a friend who is getting a manicure and just watch.
Apart from a 20 minute weekly self-manicure, there is not much else needed apart from an almost daily application of clear polish to keep the nail protected. You may also want to use hand lotion once a day to help keep the cuticles soft and the nails flexible… of course most men use some sort of lotion or lubricant on a somewhat regular basis so that may not be a problem... at least for one hand.
As the subtitle "Isn't he Dainty" suggests, you need to relearn how to use your hands and fingers. The section entitled Nail Care Survival Guide covers this topic well, but I'll add that men tend to have more of a problem with long nails than women in this area because they are starting the practice so much later in life. Women have the advantage of starting younger and also learning from the experiences of their peers growing up. So be patient with yourself and accept your fate that you will break a few nails in the beginning. Stop whining about it and be a man!
There are many brands out that have released polish specifically for men that come in a variety of colors. Apart from the nice non-gloss clear polish that is great for those who like the natural look, there is no reason to bother with these brands unless you like a particular shade they carry. These gender-specific polishes were intended for mundane males who are concerned about feeling effeminate while purchasing nail polish. Goths don't tend to be concerned about such gender issues.
Finally, be realistic. If you are active in sports or other activities that are rough on the hands, long nails are probably not for you. This goes for women too, but they tend to be more aware of the limitations one's lifestyle has on nail length.
http://www.nailcareguide.com/nailcare_for_men.htm
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Types of Artificial Nails
Sculptured Nails
In this process, acrylic, gel or fiberglass is applied to your nails, and the material is lengthened and sculpted over metal or foil. Or, a plastic nail tip can be applied with glue, and then gel, fiberglass, silk or acrylic can be laid over the entire nail. As the natural nail grows out, your manicurist will fill in the base and file down the artificial tip. Eventually, you will end up with just the overlay on your natural nail
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are the strongest and last the longest of all the nail overlays. But, if it's not done well, these nails can look thick and very artificial. Find a manicurist who is an expert at applying acrylic nails, and you can get a very thin, natural-looking nail. They usually need to be filled in every two to three weeks as your nails grow, but depending on how hard you are on your nails, you may need to see the manicurist sooner to avoid nail loosening, which can lead to mildew if water gets trapped underneath. And, if a professional removes them properly, the acrylic nails should cause little weakening to the nail plate. One factor that might make you choose acrylic: It is the most commonly-used artificial nail; if you travel a great deal, it will be easier for you to find a place to repair or fill in your manicure.
Silk, Linen and Fiber Wraps
Wraps are pieces of silk, linen or fiberglass that have been cut to the desired shape and glued to the nail plate. This adds strength, and sometimes length, to the nail. Though done on natural nails, wraps are most commonly used to strengthen tips. Silk is the most natural-looking wrap and provides a lot of flexibility, but it is often too delicate for those with an active lifestyle. Linen is stronger, but it is not transparent and appears quite thick. Fiberglass is the best of both worlds, since it provides the natural look of silk and the strength of linen.
Gel Nails
Once, these nails were made of dental porcelain gel-powder. Now, manicurists use a Mylar form to sculpt your nail, and then cure, or set, it under an ultraviolet light. Because of this process, gel nails may need to be filled in less often than acrylic nails, though fill-ins are still necessary, and a professional must remove the tips.
http://www.ivillage.com/types-artificial-nails/5-a-147441
In this process, acrylic, gel or fiberglass is applied to your nails, and the material is lengthened and sculpted over metal or foil. Or, a plastic nail tip can be applied with glue, and then gel, fiberglass, silk or acrylic can be laid over the entire nail. As the natural nail grows out, your manicurist will fill in the base and file down the artificial tip. Eventually, you will end up with just the overlay on your natural nail
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are the strongest and last the longest of all the nail overlays. But, if it's not done well, these nails can look thick and very artificial. Find a manicurist who is an expert at applying acrylic nails, and you can get a very thin, natural-looking nail. They usually need to be filled in every two to three weeks as your nails grow, but depending on how hard you are on your nails, you may need to see the manicurist sooner to avoid nail loosening, which can lead to mildew if water gets trapped underneath. And, if a professional removes them properly, the acrylic nails should cause little weakening to the nail plate. One factor that might make you choose acrylic: It is the most commonly-used artificial nail; if you travel a great deal, it will be easier for you to find a place to repair or fill in your manicure.
Silk, Linen and Fiber Wraps
Wraps are pieces of silk, linen or fiberglass that have been cut to the desired shape and glued to the nail plate. This adds strength, and sometimes length, to the nail. Though done on natural nails, wraps are most commonly used to strengthen tips. Silk is the most natural-looking wrap and provides a lot of flexibility, but it is often too delicate for those with an active lifestyle. Linen is stronger, but it is not transparent and appears quite thick. Fiberglass is the best of both worlds, since it provides the natural look of silk and the strength of linen.
Gel Nails
Once, these nails were made of dental porcelain gel-powder. Now, manicurists use a Mylar form to sculpt your nail, and then cure, or set, it under an ultraviolet light. Because of this process, gel nails may need to be filled in less often than acrylic nails, though fill-ins are still necessary, and a professional must remove the tips.
http://www.ivillage.com/types-artificial-nails/5-a-147441
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