It’s a new week and another day for #ManicureMonday tips!

As the weather cools, most of us know that we need to upgrade our skincare. But your nails need seasonal care as well.

December signals that Christmas is coming, Harmattan season is here. The dry air is especially rough on hands, your nails are more likely to split, crack or tear and your cuticles are more likely to be plagued by hangnails. Even your polish is more likely to chip!

But not to worry, today we bring you three essential tips that will help to protect your nails and glittering holiday manicure all through the season.

Exfoliate and Wear Gloves

Here’s an easy salt scrub procedure you can do by yourself

Ingredients

    • One cup sea salt
    • One-half cups of oil, such as Sweet Almond, Jojoba or a massage oil
    • A few drops of essential oil, such as Rosemary or Lemon
    • Mix the salt and oil together.
    • Add the essential oil and mix everything well.
    • Apply to your hands, taking care to rub gently in circular patterns around the nails, tips and over the cuticles.
    • Focus on rough areas.
    • Rinse well with tepid or warm water.

When going about activities that involve detergents and cleansers that may be harsh on your fingernails, and cause drying, splitting and peeling use gloves to quickly prevent these. Also, don’t overuse your nails as cuticles can dry out from repetitive hand washing and manicures, so if they are not given extra protection with a nourishing cuticle cream, they will crack and split, increase the risk of nail infection.

Always Keep your Hands and Nails Moisturised

Olive oil and Petroleum Jelly are good inexpensive home beauty treatments to use that will strengthen your nails and fortify weak or peeling nails. Cuticle creams will also soothe and nourish dry cuticles and brittle damaged nails.

Eat for Your Nails

This season make sure your diet features foods rich in Biotins, such as Soybeans, Peanuts, Green Beans, Walnuts, Liver, and cooked Eggs. In addition to other health benefits, Biotin can help strengthen and thicken nails.

Additional Tips

  • Don’t try to pullout cuticles, use a nail clipper and gently clip from the root.
  • Keep your polish looking perfect by dabbing a tiny drop of nail polish remover across the nail to even the old-looking polish, so a new coat of nail polish can blend easily. Apply a new layer of nail colour to the chipped nail and let dry.

Photo Credits: Dreamstime