If you want flawless nail art and healthy nails, it’s crucial that you pay attention to the nail care products you’re using. The right base coat can help strengthen weak nails and a great top coat can transform an average looking manicure into a salon-like work of art. These 8 nail care essentials are the perfect guide to keeping your nails healthy and looking great:
1. CUTICLE OIL
Cuticle oil is a number one product for flawless cuticles and stronger nails. The main purpose of cuticle oil is to deeply moisturise not only the cuticle, but also the skin around your nails. Cuticle oil helps increase circulation in the nail bed and can stimulate new nail growth. When cuticles or skin around the nail are extremely dry and cracked, the oil provides quick repair and protection. The oil deeply moisturises the area, repairs the nail, and stops the cracking.
Try: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, $17.95 AUD here or OPI Avoplex Nails & Cuticle Replenishing Oil, $14.95 USD here.
2. RIDGE FILLER
Ridge fillers are used to even out nails that are ridged. They are opaque and have a thicker formula. Some ridge fillers are multi-purpose and can also act as base coats or nail treatments. A ridge filler will make your nails mirror-like smooth and primed, ready for you to apply your nail polish. Metallic, chameleon and shimmering nail polishes will look way better with a coat of ridge filler underneath.
Try: OPI Ridge Filler, $19.95 AUD here or Essie Ridge Filling Base Coat, $8.50 USD here.
3. BASE COAT
A decent base coat is a must have! Base coats give the polish an even surface to adhere to. It will help prevent dark colours from staining your nails and also extend the life of your manicure. Some base coats can even make your nails grow faster and strengthen them significantly.
Try: Essie Grow Faster Base Coat, $17.95 AUD here or China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat, $9.00 USD here
4. TOP COAT
A good quality top coat will seal the polish, leaving you with a beautiful shiny manicure that will be protected from chipping and/or peeling. The top coat, along with the base coat, will work together to help prolong your manicure. Plus, a great top coat will take your nail art to another level, making it look nice and smooth. I could go on but if you still need more reasons, just read this.
Try: Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat, $13.95 AUD here or Seche Vite Top Coat, $9.95 USD here.
5. GLASS NAIL FILE
Glass nail files can minimise chipping and peeling of your nails. They are not as harsh as regular sandpaper or metal nail files. Plus, glass files, as opposed to regular files, will basically last forever, they will never become worn down. They are also really easy to clean. You can wash a glass file with soap and water or even sterilise it with heat or alcohol.
Try: Sea Siren Hard Case Glass Nail File, $16.95 AUD here or Swarovski Glass Nail File, $19.99 USD here
6. HAND CREAM
Using a hand cream is the best way to repair and restore damaged hands, ensuring that they not only look younger but feel softer too. The skin on top of your hands is much thinner and has less sebaceous glands, meaning it can become dry very quickly. In comparison, the skin on your palms is a lot thicker, so for moisture to penetrate this area a hand cream needs to be rich and full of moisture binding ingredients.
Try: OPI Avoplex High-Intensity Hand & Nail Cream, $19.95 AUD here or Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream $30.00 USD here.
7. QUICK DRY DROPS
Quick Dry Drops can reduce your dry time if you are in a hurry. No more smudged nails! Quick-dry products use simple formulas that contain volatile (quick-drying) silicones which protect the nail polish from smudging while it dries and helps the solvent in the nail polish evaporate quicker.
Try: Essie Quickie-E Drying Drops, $19.95 here or Orly Flash Dry Drops, £14.00 here.
8. CUTICLE REMOVER
The best thing you can do for your cuticles, if they need it, is to use a cuticle remover product. The worst thing you can do is to use a cuticle clipper, nipper, trimmer or cutter. Most well known nail polish suppliers have at least one Cuticle remover product in their range. They come in a liquid, creme or gel form that is designed to be left on for a short period of time. Generally, you apply it, wait a period of time and then use a cuticle pusher to gently remove the excess cuticle. Finish off by washing your hands thoroughly to remove all traces of the remover.
Try: Manicare Cuticle Remover, $14.49 AUD here or Orly Cuticle Remover, £10.00 here.
There you have it, 8 nail care essentials for your stash. Do you have any tips that are not on our list that you swear by? We’d love it if you could share them in the comments below!
– Katie Cerff
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