Your nails are one part of the body that can easily go neglected. In fact, you can go without polishing them and they’ll still look fine in their natural healthy state. But in as much as nails may be considered low maintenance, they still require some level of care and attention. With the right kind of routine, you can ensure that your nails remain healthy and strong whether you like to get them polished or not. Here are a few dos and don’ts that, if adopted and added to your nail care routine, can strengthen your nails.
The routine:
- Don’t cut your nails with clippers, file them down instead.
- Use the tea bag trick if they break (see how to do this below).
- Apply good quality polish often because painted nails offer some protection.
- Always keep nails moisturized (hand cream or jojoba oil is good around cuticles).
- Avoid keeping your nails for long periods in water.
- Eat nuts and seeds, they’re great sources of vitamins that promote nail growth.
The tea bag trick:
- Before you start, ensure that your nails are clean and plain, free of base coat and polish.
- Cut the teabag close to the size of the break in the nail.
- Apply a clear coat over the break
- Place the piece of teabag over it and allow to dry. An easy way to do this is with tweezers. Smooth out the surface of your nail gently with a nail file or buffer.
- Repeat this with the rest of your nails for evenness.
- Lightly push back your cuticles and then buff them with a fine grit buffer. Apply jojoba oil around your cuticles.
- Apply a base coat to your nails and leave them unpolished or apply your favorite color to them.
See additional tips on how to create a routine that strengthens your nails