Nail Care Tips!

Last year, I went to school for manicuring, and I do have a license as well, and do some manicuring on the side. I do a mean pedicure, too! Anyway, I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some nail care tips here, as far as going to a salon and nail care at home!

1. Use cuticle oil daily to soften and soothe cuticles, also making the ugly dry look disappear.
2. DO NOT "nip" your cuticles with a cuticle nipper unless you know what you are doing. Cuticles are dead skin cells stuck on the nail bed, but just below that is live tissue and if you nip too far, you will cut yourself up and it will lead to infection. Just use cuticle remover from the drug store and a wooden pusher to gently push them back.
3. When giving yourself a manicure, DO NOT use lotion before painting your nails, or any other type of product that may leave a residue (like cuticle oil). Wait until after your nails are completely dry before applying oil & lotion.
4. Be sure to dehydrate your nails before applying a base coat (I recommend Orly Bonder) with Acetone. This will ensure the nails are totally dry for nail application, so the polish won't wrinkle as it dries. Always use a paper towel or fiberless wipes when applying the acetone so you won't have any cotton fibers stuck in your polish (a nail tech's greatest enemy!)
5. Use a REALLY good top coat if you are doing your nails at home. I recommend Seche Vite or CND Super Shiny). Even if you use cheap polish, use a GOOD top coat, it protects the nail color and will aid in dry time.
6. When getting your nails done, just make sure that the implements are sanitized with pure alcohol or disinfectant before they work on you. This is a no-brainer, people!
7. DO NOT let any nail tech use a "callus razor" on your feet. This does not work, and will do nothing but cut you up. Calluses are SUPPOSED to be on your feet, they PROTECT the feet. However, they should be smoothed down, not totally removed, unless you have to get them removed by a doctor for whatever reason.