Make natural nails look better?

I've been looking into acryllics but it seems like they're not really a longer-term solution and are usually regretted later. So since my own nails aren't too bad I'm thinking of just trying to improve my natural nails and then going for a french tip manicure.





The only problem is that lately the skin around my nails has been looking kind of rough. I've been getting more hang nails than before, and generally my cuticle area just doesn't look that nice anymore. What can I do??





I haven't started any kind of manual labour or anything that could explain why they are looking like this, and I still use the same kind of moisturizer on my hands that I've always used (curel). Also, I moisturize on a regular basis.





Can anyone recommend a manicure cream or techniques that can be done to improve cuticles, hangnails etc?? When I go for a manicure will they help to fix this for me?Make natural nails look better?
There are a few things you can do to help with this problem.


First, get some cuticle remover.One that I like is called 'Cuticle Eliminator,' and can be seen here:


http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/sterilis鈥?/a>


Apply this around the base of each nail plate and ensuring even coverage and avoiding skin contact (don't use your fingertips to spread it, use the spout on the bottle instead).


Let that sit for about one minute, then carefully remove the cuticle tissue from the nail plate using a good quality cuticle pusher made from metal. These work much better than orange sticks:


http://www.folica.com/Mehaz_Cuticle_P_d4鈥?/a>


BTW,Mehaz manufactures some of the best nail implements available. But there are others available which will work just as well for home use and cost you less money at the same time.


After you are done, wash your hands thoroughly, then dry them.


You can do this once or twice a week. It will not only help to keep your cuticles in great shape and looking good, but it will help to prevent hangnails as well.


After you are done removing the skin, use sharp cuticle nippers to remove any skin around the nail folds which may be sticking out. Do this step carefully as well.


I have to clarify something before I go on any further.


The term 'cuticle' is often used incorrectly to refer to the skin that surrounds the base of the nail in a kind of semi-circular shape. This is called the nail fold. The same skin arounf the sides of your nails is called the lateral nail folds. At the base of the nail folds - underneath the nail fold and closest to your nail, is where the 'eponychium' is located. The purpose of the eponychium is to form a tight barrier between your nail folds and the nail plte, preventing moisture, bacteria, and other things from getting under your skin in that area. As your nail grows out, there is a sticky layer of tissue which forms on the underside of the eponychium. This sticky layer of tissue is literally dragged away from under the tight seal the eponychium forms, and remains on your nail plate, and hardens as it grows out. The dead skin that you see at the very base of your nail, and extending out a little bit onto the nail plate (how far out it extends depends on how often you remove it), is the 'cuticle.' When I said to remove the cuticle, this is the skin that I am talking about. Never cut, or otherwise remove the skin on the nail folds. Many people like to cut that skin off using this sharp v-shaped tool which is sold in many stores for this purpose. Don't do this. The skin will grow back both thicker, and tougher. Also, It is important that you do not break the seal formed by the eponychium by the use of any pushers, whether it is an orange stick, or a metal pusher, or whatever. By doing so, you are opening yourself up to possible infections, and cutting or removing the skin around the nail folds will break this barrier, as will pushing the cuticle too far back. Do this with care.


Last, but not least, use a cuticle oil. My personal favorite is called Solar Oil, by Creative Nail Design. You can get this in major drugstores for about $9 for a 1/2 oz. bottle. It not only workks great to keep your cuticle area looking %26amp; feeling good, and mositurzing the skin but smells great too! Kind of almondy smell to it.


Anyway, apply a couple drops to each nail and massage into the cuticle area, the skin around the nail, and the nail itself. This will really help to moisturize your natural nail, and keep them healthy. Use this at least twice a day. Its not possible to use this 'too' often, so do it two, three, or more times a day, and within a week or two, you'll notice a big improvement in your cuticle area, and your nails will be healthier as well.


Note: There are other cuticle oils available, and you can use them instead of CND Solar Oil is you want to. But, no matter what brand you choose, be sure that it is a high quality oil. Not all cuticle oils work well, but the higher quality ones tend to be much better, and result in the sking around the cuticle area being softer, and healthier, and will help to reduce - or eliminate hangnails altogether.


hthMake natural nails look better?
For the most natural looking nail - get the manicure so they can take care of your cuticles and instead of nail polish, have them buff your nails. This gives them a super high shine. Kinda like you have a clear coat of polish but it won't chip off.
The manicurist will take care of this that's part of job
In the malls the people selling the dead sea stuff works great. I am not one to buy those things but they are great. I have really nice nails now. They shine naturally and they have an oil you apply once a day. It makes your cuticles soft and the hang nails go away.
Burt's bees has a very good cuticle cream designed specifically for what you've described. You should check that out.


Also, by pushing your cuticles back just a little bit once a day promotes nail growth and will probably help your hangnails. Make sure you're just pushing them back a little, and not picking at the skin around your fingers.


As far as the actual appearance of your nails, a manicure will help that, but definitely don't get any acrylics.


If you just want your nails to be smooth, shaped and shiney, there are nail files you can get for that at your local beauty store. One kind of rough, to do the shaping and smothing out of any ridges you may have on your nails. But not too coarse, otherwise it will leave your nails feeling paper thin. And one a lot softer with a bit of moiusterizer in it to make your nails so shiney they look like you've painted them with clear coat.


Good luck!