Manicures can help hands stay young. For a top-notch manicure at home, try using these steps as told to Marie Claire magazine by nail technician Chonya Alvarez from The Spa at Saddlebrook in Tampa.
1. Start by removing old polish. For natural nails, use a nonacetone remover. Try Cutex® Essential Care™ Advanced Nail Polish Remover Pads.
2. File nails to desired shape. What looks modern now is a shortish nail,straight across the top with rounded edges. File your nails in one direction starting at the edges and moving toward the top.
3. Soak in soapy water for a few minutes to soften cuticles.
4. Dot a cuticle cream on the cuticles and rub in. Try Creative Nail Design Sea Therapy Cuticle Eraser.
5. Use an orange wood stick (available in drugstores) to push back cuticles.Be sure not to cut your cuticles, which can cause infection and damage the nail.
6. Massage hands with a hand lotion for extra moisture. Try Creative Nail Design Solar Silk.
7. Wipe nails with a damp cloth to remove excess oils.
8. Apply a base coat. Let dry for one minute. Try Creative Nail Design Sticky.
9. Apply two coats of your favorite color. Always apply polish by starting on the side of the nail. You should be able to cover the nail in three stokes, one on each side and one in the middle.
10. Apply a top coat. Try Creative Nail Design Speedy. (Remember: If you use a fast-dry top coat, your polish will not last as long.)
Pay special attention to the shape of your nails. Long rounded nails are out of date and make hands look older. To file and shape nails, use a glass file (the least abrasive filing option) and get it wet.
The other thing you must pay attention to is nail polish color. Dark shades make hands look older, as to bright shades. Many older women favor pale shades and iridescent colors. Avoid these and instead stick to traditional nail polish colors in medium shades of pink, as well as neutrals. While red is a classic color, it can draw unwanted attention to aging hands and anything too orange or yellow can make skin seem sallow.
Nails can have problems being dry, brittle and ridged as they grow older.
“Ridges are nails’ version of wrinkles — and yes, you get more of them as you age,” Richard Scher, MD, a dermatologist who has special expertise in nails tells More magazine. To smooth ridges, use a buffer once a week. Any more will weaken the nail.
1. Start by removing old polish. For natural nails, use a nonacetone remover. Try Cutex® Essential Care™ Advanced Nail Polish Remover Pads.
2. File nails to desired shape. What looks modern now is a shortish nail,straight across the top with rounded edges. File your nails in one direction starting at the edges and moving toward the top.
3. Soak in soapy water for a few minutes to soften cuticles.
4. Dot a cuticle cream on the cuticles and rub in. Try Creative Nail Design Sea Therapy Cuticle Eraser.
5. Use an orange wood stick (available in drugstores) to push back cuticles.Be sure not to cut your cuticles, which can cause infection and damage the nail.
6. Massage hands with a hand lotion for extra moisture. Try Creative Nail Design Solar Silk.
7. Wipe nails with a damp cloth to remove excess oils.
8. Apply a base coat. Let dry for one minute. Try Creative Nail Design Sticky.
9. Apply two coats of your favorite color. Always apply polish by starting on the side of the nail. You should be able to cover the nail in three stokes, one on each side and one in the middle.
10. Apply a top coat. Try Creative Nail Design Speedy. (Remember: If you use a fast-dry top coat, your polish will not last as long.)
Pay special attention to the shape of your nails. Long rounded nails are out of date and make hands look older. To file and shape nails, use a glass file (the least abrasive filing option) and get it wet.
The other thing you must pay attention to is nail polish color. Dark shades make hands look older, as to bright shades. Many older women favor pale shades and iridescent colors. Avoid these and instead stick to traditional nail polish colors in medium shades of pink, as well as neutrals. While red is a classic color, it can draw unwanted attention to aging hands and anything too orange or yellow can make skin seem sallow.
Nails can have problems being dry, brittle and ridged as they grow older.
“Ridges are nails’ version of wrinkles — and yes, you get more of them as you age,” Richard Scher, MD, a dermatologist who has special expertise in nails tells More magazine. To smooth ridges, use a buffer once a week. Any more will weaken the nail.
