Thanks to the overwhelming influence of our favorite celebrities, long nails are all the rage nowadays. Every day it seems there is a new 'it' long nail design that we've got to try. But before we start glazing, frenching, and rainbowing our long nails, we need to ensure they are in good health to uphold it. With all the gel manicures we've put them through, most of our nails are weak and unstable, making that long perfect manicure harder to achieve. Here are some tips to get your nails on the road to recovery...
As with most health and beauty hacks, the key to success is hydration. Expert manicurist Ama Quashie explains that "to have strong nails, they need to be healthy – and to be healthy, they need to be hydrated." No, we're not suggesting you pour water over your nails each morning. Rather, you're gonna need to invest in some cuticle oil. This will work to keep the cuticle and nail bed hydrated, guaranteeing stable growth.
If you're doing everything right yet constantly struggling with nail peeling and breaking, it could be a telltale sign that you're biotin or folic acid deficient. The obvious solution is to incorporate it into your diet through supplements or particular foods. On that note, eating a nutritious diet can make all the difference when it comes to nail health. Opt for all the colorful fruit and vegetables, and stock up on nuts, fish, avocado, eggs, lean meat, and whole grains. Keeping alcohol and sugar consumption to a minimum will also work wonders.
Sponsored
Throw away that six-year-old nail file because it's likely doing more damage than good. According to Manicurist Ami Streets, a soft nail file is the optimal tool for filing your nails. This will help to prevent your nails from tearing or splitting in the process. When filing, keep to one direction in gentle, long movements. Lastly, while upgrading your nail file, it's worthwhile to check out the range of nail polish removers. The ones full of acetone may get the job done quickly, but this will come at the expense of your nail health and hydration. Pick up an acetone-free bottle now, and your nails will thank you later!
