The perfect manicure
Scrub up
Remove old polish with a conditioning remover and clean under nails with a soft nailbrush. Soak fingertips in a bowl of warm soapy water for three minutes and exfoliate your hands with Olive de Provence Exfoliating Body Scrub 200ml to lift off dull dead skin.
Soften up
After rinsing, apply Olive de Provence Hand &, Nail Cream 100ml and rub in well. Soften cuticles with a cuticle treatment cream and gently push them back with the end of a cuticle stick wrapped in cotton wool.
In the buff
Gentle buffing smoothes and cleans the nail surface and encourages growth. Go lightly – too much friction can damage nails. File nails into shape and remove any snags – work from edges to the centre and never saw the corners as it weakens the nails. Soak nails again to remove creams and dry well.
Prep and polish
Preparation will guarantee you a longerlasting and professional finish. Base coat protects nails from staining and helps polish to adhere better. Top coat protects, adds gloss and cuts down on chipping. Invest in Sally Hansen 4-in-1 Complete Care is a handy all-in-one product. Apply one coat for the base followed by two thin layers of nail varnish. It will dry quicker this way. Mop up any overflows with Sally Hansen No More Mistakes, a great clean-up pen. End off with a top coat and a spritz of Revlon Quick Dry for touch-dry tips in seconds.
Fix nasty nail problems
Fungal infections
These occur when dirt or water gets deep under the nail and it becomes infected. Use Dettol (500ml) followed by an anti-fungal cream.
Ridges and white flecks
Unfortunately you have to wait for these to grow out. They are bruises caused by knocks or pushing the cuticle back too harshly. They may also appear after severe illness or weight loss, or can be caused by low levels of complex vitamins and minerals. Pop a Clicks Hair, Skin and Nails capsule every day.
Discoloration
Yellowish nails can be caused by dark polish with no base coat, some prescription drugs and nicotine. Cotton wool soaked in lemon juice rubbed on nails for a week can help fade stains. did you know? ‘Squoval’ is the hot, new nail shape. It’s great for short nails and looks sexy with deep dark polish for winter. File straight across but keep corners soft.