|
Lock down has certainly screwed up our beauty maintenance appointments and we are becoming increasingly desperate for a little professional pamper time. Our roots are way past the point of disguising as “balayage”, our lash extensions are now bald, stumpy and sticking in all directions and let's not even mention the waxing situation. Thank goodness it’s all temporary - and there are so many amazing products on market for doing our own beauty care at home while we are are in lockdown. Check out my “DIY Home Spa Ideas” article for some inspiration and product recommendations. Meanwhile, let’s address our dry hands and chipped nails… for those of you who enjoy regular manicures I can imagine how sad you feel looking down at your neglected hands. Especially with all of the extra hand washing we are doing right now - our hands are really needing some extra TLC. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to give them a little spruce up at home.  Here are my top tips to “nail” your quarantine manicure. Firstly, remove any old nail varnish (ok, I know this seems obvious but just saying…) and trim your nails using clippers if required. Then gently shape with a nail file to your desired shape.  Place your hands in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles. You can even add your favourite oil, gentle cleanser or shampoo. Do not soak longer than a few minutes - over-soaking can cause damage when pushing back the cuticles. Using an orange stick (cuticle stick), very gently push the cuticles back from the nail. Be very careful not to lift, rip or force the skin.  Let’s get some moisture back in the skin. Next apply some nail oil to the cuticles. For those of you who have gotten to know me through social media and my British Bride beauty section, you will already be aware I am a huge fan of a multi use product. Multi-use products fill my eyes with big heart emojis as they save pennies, time AND space… and I am a fan of the Hair, Skin and Nail Oil by SuperfoodLX. Made from 100% plant oils and vitamin E, this oil can be used on the skin to help reduce acne breakouts and the appearance of fine lines, promote hair growth and nourish nails. I used a small drop on each cuticle, gently rub it in and allow to dry.  Our hands are one of the first places we show signs of ageing so get yourself in to a positive habit of keeping your hands moisturised with a nice hand cream. I absolutely love the Sencha Verbena hand cream from MOR’s Correspondence collection. While some hand creams take a while to soak in and can often leave hands feeling greasy, this cream soaks in quickly and the super nourishing ingredients of argan and coconut oils means skin feels plump and hydrated and fyi - it smells amazing. There are different scents to choose from in the range but this one smells delicious thanks to the lemongrass, clementine and Verbena Leaf ingredients, amongst others. For those who are a fan of pretty product packaging you will love parchment paper and ink branding.  Once your hands are completely dry, why not fake your own salon-perfect talons with some falsies? I know the idea of false nails can be terrifying. I have tried so many over the years. Being a Makeup Artist, I keep my own nails short for work but always enjoy a little length on my nails during my down time and holidays, so after a few disastrous attempts and losing a few nails in my prosecco and handbag while I have been digging round for my purse I have been left with a bit of a fear of the falsie. However, KISS have a collection of press-on nails and they are a game-changer for me. I was a bit scared at the prospect of not using glue with the nails but they do have a peel off adhesive on the nail and they do not budge! They have a natural tapered shape and come in several sizes to fit and 15 different designs including a selection of high quality jewels and special effect nails, if you wanted to get creative in your application. One of my clients even told me she applied a full set of imPRESS nails in the back of a car on her journey to a special event once! They are very easy to use but most importantly, they are very secure once applied and look fabulous.  If you are looking for additional help with strengthening your nails you could also consider taking a supplement and using a nail treatment. A healthy diet will always improve our skin, hair and nails as well as our health but supplements can fill the gaps. The Hair, Skin and Nail Complex supplement by Beautifully Nourished contains nutrients such as MSM, Marine Collagen and Silica which all work together to help with skin elasticity and hydration. Silica is particularly good for strengthening and firming nails. There are lots of benefits from both a beauty and wellbeing perspective when choosing a supplement. Hair, Skin and Nail Complex Supplements www.beautifullynourished.com £20.00 for 60 tablets (2 recommended daily for best results)  Nails can be damaged due to trauma, poor diet, poor care or environmental stressors. There are treatments available to help repair nails for healthier hands and I am loving Xérial 40 Nail Care. This nourishing gel made from Salicylic Acid forms a protective barrier on the nail protecting from the elements and helps to prevent splitting and breakage. Visible results can be seen (as long as correct guidance is followed). Xérial 40 Nail Care Treatment www.uk.labo-svr.com www.lookfantastic.com, www.feelunique.com and www.beautyexpert.com £15.00 for 10ml  Comments are closed.
|
RSS Feed