Sara Sampaio
A dream manicure is a great way to instantly look polished. However, if you’re more into DIY manis, you might be guilty of committing some nail crimes without even knowing it. Here are three mistakes to avoid to always show off a set of nails that’s in tip-top shape.
Avoid quick-dry nail polish
Lots of nail products, whether polishes, drops or sprays, are made to dry in a jiffy. They have the same technology and ingredients found in regular polish, with the only difference being the ratio of ingredients. Quick-dry polishes typically use higher levels of solvents so the evaporation rate is increased to reduce dry time. These types of polishes also have an additional film former (copolymer) to guarantee a good-quality film is formed. While the idea of saving some time is great when you look at the list of chores on your to-do list, the downside to quick-dry products is they make your nails dry out. So it’s better to avoid these typically dehydrating products, as well as anything with acetone in it, as it causes nails to break. If you’re in a real hurry, swipe on some cuticle oil, which acts as a barrier, so you won’t need to worry about denting nail polish while getting ready.
Don’t file nails in a back and forth motion
Filing your nails back and forth may tear the tip of your nail and leave it uneven. What’s more, it can lead to small tears and ruptures in the nail that can become big breaks and splits over time. While it may take longer, the best way to go about filing your nails is to stick to stroking the file in one direction. Taking your time to do the job in a careful and loving way will ensure you wind up with a silkier and more refined end result. Plus, if you like to file regularly, scrap that metal nail file, which can be too hard on nails, especially if they’re weak.
Stop cutting your cuticles
Cuticles, those thin slices of skin along the bottom of your nail bed, have an important purpose as they shield you from infections and external aggressors. They’re also an entry point, so when you cut them, you’re risking all manner of infections because you’re essentially granting bacteria, germs and gunk access to the vulnerable underside of your nails. The only time you should really be using cuticle nippers is when you have sore hangnails along the sides of the nail and below the cuticle (they are inevitable, even if you use moisturiser religiously). If you’re looking for an aesthetic solution, the best thing is to push back the cuticles by applying cuticle remover and then propelling the cuticles back with a nail-specific wooden stick.
