Nail Designing

Nail designing is the latest craze among girls at the moment. You can make your nails look absolutely fabulous and freaky with the use of nail designing techniques.

Nicely manicured fingers will always look attractive. Manicured fingers will not only look stylish, but they also reflect your sense of personal hygiene.

The designing of nails starts with the cleaning. It is always better to keep your nails clean. Your nails can be cleaned by soaking your fingers in a bowl of warm soap water for 10 to 15 minutes. A small fine brush can be used to remove the dirt from any cracks in the nails.

There are many creams and polishes on the market that will strengthen your nails and prevent them from cracking. Nail hardeners are the perfect item for those who have very fragile nails. These hardeners can keep your nails strong for over time.

The good old glossy enamel, when applied on your nails, will make the nails look attractive. Not all girls or women are blessed with long nails. There are artificial nails available on the market will make your nails look longer.

Your nails can be decorated with cute, trendy paintings. There are a variety of nail polishes that add a touch of life to your nails. These polishes may be matte finished or gloss finished.

A type of nail designing accessory called glitters is used to make your nails sparkle. Many tattoos are also used to decorate nails. Your nails can also be made attractive with the help of stones and jewels. The nails can also be designed using the skills of a professional.

Many kits are available at affordable prices to allow you to decorate your nails. The kits include nail hardeners, base coats, nail polishes, glitters, manicure kits, fine brushes, nail dryers, etc. The kits come with design catalogues from which you can choose your designs.

You can design your nails according to your creativity and imagination. Many contests featuring nail designing are held in colleges and other institutions.

By Elizabeth Morgan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

More Nail Tips

Shaping Your Fingernails

Polished nails and healthy cuticles aren't the only things that make your fingernails beautiful. Keeping your nails trimmed and shaped properly helps to create a glamorous look to your hands. Every hand is different, but there are few common shapes and sizes to hands that can help you to determine how you should shape your nails. The way your cuticle is shaped will also help
* For cuticles that are oval at the base, square shaped nails are appropriate
* For cuticles that are pointed, oval shaped nails might be better suited
* For small hands and fingers, try almond shaped nails
* Short and plump fingers look best with squared-off, oval nails
* Thicker hands or fingers with a wide nail bed should have squared off ends.
* Longer nail beds look best with rounded nails.

It is recommended by experts that the free edge of your nails should only extend a few millimeters beyond the tip of your finger. To begin shaping your nails, start by trimming them with a quality clipper. If you use a clipper that is too hard to squeeze, you'll end up breaking your nails or making inaccurate cuts. Once you have trimmed your nails into the desired shape for your hand type, you can begin to file your nails for smooth edges. Here are some filing tips to keep in mind:
* Don't file your nails from side to side, it can weaken the stress points of the nail's free edge
* Gently file from the corner of your nail to the center in one direction
* To make sure both hands are the same length or shape, hold the same finger from each hand up to one another
* Metal files can split your nails. Use a soft, flat emery board.

Tips for Beautifully Polished Fingernails

Beautifully polished nails aren't just for hand models. Besides your face, your hands are another area that people first notice about you. Nail polish can help your hands look younger, smoother and even thinner. Polishing your nails may seem like a no-brainer, but here are some helpful tips you may not have been aware of before:
* If you are already wearing a polish or not, before you apply nail polish, always remove the excess oils from your nails with nail polish remover
* To avoid cotton ball fuzzies stuck to your nails, use a makeup sponge with polish remover
* To avoid yellowing nails after your polish is removed, try buffing the tops of your nails. This will also smooth out the roughness of your nails
* Always, always, always use a base coat! This also will help eliminate the discolorization of your nails
* Water-based nail enamels, hypoallergenic and unscented nail products are available if you have sensitive skin
* Choose a shade that enhances your fingers and toes
* Instead of shaking your polish, roll the bottle in the palm of your hand, your nail polish will last longer
* Don't put too much polish on the brush
* When painting your nails, apply the polish to the tips of your nails and slightly underneath the tip of your nails
* Fast drying enamels are fabulous, but they also chip faster
* Nail polish takes a full hour to completely dry without smudging
* Once your nails have dried enough, usually 10 minutes, add a top coat
* To keep your nails looking glossy, apply a new coat every other day.

Copyright (c) 2007 Barry Lycka

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

Six Tips For Long Lasting Summer Nail Polish

Warm weather is here, and that means most of us will be wearing nail polish more often to show off our hands and feet. The barer summer clothes and sandals mean your feet and hands will be center stage, so putting a few extra minutes into proper nail care is must for the prettiest looks. Whether you are applying nail polish to your hands or toes, the basic principles to make your manicure or pedicure last are the same.

1. Prepare your nails properly before polishing. Nail polish won’t adhere well to nails that are dirty or oily. Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any lotions, dirt or oils, and then brush each nail with a bit of nail polish remover. This will remove all oils from the nail itself and prepare it for accepting polish.

2. Lightly buff your nails and file off any rough edges. Polish will be more prone to peeling and flaking if the nails are rough around the edges or have ridges in them. Filing and buffing gives a smoother surface so that polish won’t flake.

3. Choose the right polish. Did you know that nail polish expires? Most brands will only last about a year before they become thicker and start to clump. Polish that’s too thick will go on thicker and won’t dry well, leading to more chance of smearing or smudging. Most nail polish formulas are similar and will last almost a week, but fast drying formulas are an exception. The extra ingredients that allow fast drying polishes to set so quickly also makes them peel more quickly, so try to avoid fast-dry formulas unless you absolutely have to use them. The extra few minutes spent drying a standard nail polish will be well worth it if your manicure lasts days longer.

4. Care for your polish properly. Summer weather is especially tough on nail polish – the high temperatures can cause polish to separate and the color to change. To keep your nail polish in top condition, refrigerate it in the summer. You should also clean the polish bottle carefully after each use by wiping the outside edge of the bottle with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to keep the bottle from sticking shut. Finally, be sure that you gently blend the nail polish before applying by rolling the bottle between your hands. Shaking a bottle of polish will create air bubbles in the polish that can cause bumps and clumps when you apply it – guaranteed to shorten the life span of your manicure or pedicure.

5. Use a base coat and top coat. It takes a bit more time to do a complete manicure rather than just throwing on some polish, but its well worth the effort. After your nails are clean, be sure to apply a base coat; this product prepares the nail for polish and gives nail polish something to cling to so that it lasts longer. Follow this with two thin coats of polish in the desired color, and then finish off with a quality top coat. When you apply the top coat, be sure to run the brush horizontally across the tip of the nail with a bit of it going under the edge of the nail. This will help prevent peeling and seals the manicure properly.

6. Don’t rush things. Be sure to let your nails dry five to ten minutes between each coat. If the coat below isn’t completely dry before you add the next one, your nails won’t dry properly for quite a while, leading to chips and smudges. If you are in a rush or simply impatient, plunge your nails into ice water for a few seconds between coats – this will quickly dry and seal the polish.

Enjoy your beautifully painted, long lasting nails! Remember not to open soda cans or pick at envelopes with your freshly painted nails. Using your nails as tools won’t help you keep your nail polish fresh at all!


By: Sally Hart

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/

Nail Care Tips: Do You Know These Important Do's And Don'ts?

Applying the nail care tips below will help you maintain your fingernails in prime condition.

As our fingernails are so noticeable and convey a message about us to everyone we meet, it is essential we take just a little time and educate ourselves on how to care for them well.


What follows is a list of nail care tips divided into do's and don'ts:

Nail Care Tips: The DO'S

DO drink plenty of water each day. It's good for your general health and a well hydrated body contributes to healthy nails. Cracked nails may indicate the need for greater fluid intake.

DO apply varnish remover before applying nail polish. This removes any grease on the surface of the nail and gives extra life to the nail polish, so make sure you do this regardless of whether there is old polish on your nails or not.

DO take vitamin supplements unless your doctor advises otherwise due to other health considerations. Vitamins A, C, E, and B12 are especially important. Additionally, calcium, zinc, iron, protein, and folic acid will help avoid white marks appearing on the nails and prevent nails from becoming brittle. Research the foods you need to provide you with these essential vitamins and supplements.

DO use a good quality buffer preferably once a week, no more than twice a week. Be sure not to buff too vigorously and not for too long to avoid damaging the nail. Just a brief gentle buff before applying nail polish can help prevent the polish from peeling due to a rough or uneven surface on the nail.

DO use a soft nail file rather than an emery board. Emery boards can be too rough and damage the nail easily unless used with great care. Better to use a soft cushion nail file and wash it regularly for repeated use. It almost goes without saying, metal nail files are a definite NO NO!

DO wear protective gloves when doing any work that requires the hands to be submerged in water or come in contact with chemicals. Preferably use gloves with a cotton lining so they remain dry inside. Fungus loves a moist environment.

DO give attention to the cuticles regularly, using a moisturizing cream often to avoid the cuticles from drying out. Overgrown and ungroomed cuticles can adversely affect nail growth.

Nail Care Tips: The DON'TS

DON'T file backwards and forwards as this can cause splits in the nails which become even worse if water penetrates after hand washing. Rather use a gentle one way stroking action with the file along with a little patience.

DON'T file the corners of the nail as this can weaken them and make them more susceptible to breaking. File straight across in a way that produces a soft, oval shape. Pointed nails break easily.

DON'T file nails when they are wet. Make sure they are completely dry.

DON'T use varnish remover and reapply nail polish more than once or twice a week. Preferably select a varnish remover that contains moisturizers to avoid the nails drying out.

DON'T use your nails to scratch hard surfaces, pick at an object, remove staples, or serve as a digging tool. Just take a minute to get a proper tool for the job and avoid sacrificing your nails!

DON'T over manicure the cuticles as this can damage them causing them to thicken and overgrow.

DON'T ever cut the cuticles or use metal or sharp objects to push them back. Purchase the proper tool for the job, an Orange Stick. Hold it at an angle and gently push the cuticles back without damaging them. Using a cuticle remover first will help make the job easier and avoid damaging this sensitive skin.

After a nail care session, conduct a little test. To see how smooth your nails really are run them down an old pair of tights or pantyhose. Any snags will help you locate the nail that needs further attention.

The nail care tips listed above require some time and effort and perhaps initially a small investment to obtain the necessary professional tools. However, once you have them and get into a nail care routine, the benefits will make it all worthwhile.

You will feel confident and flash your nails with pride.

By: Mike Jones

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

How To Remove Acrylic Nails

Getting acrylic nails at the saloon can get pretty pricey, as is having them removed there. Thankfully you can do both at home these days. To add your own acrylic nails, purchase a kit in the drugstore. Once you grow tired of them, here’s how to remove them at home.

You can remove acrylic nails two different ways. You can purchase a professional acrylic nail removal kit at your local drug store, or you can invest a dollar or two in a large bottle of nail polish remover. Make sure you buy a kind that has acetone in it, not one of the gentler nail polish removers on the market these days.

Lay out several pages of newspaper on your kitchen table to prevent spills. Keep several paper towels close by as well to wipe off nail polish, dry your hands off and put the acrylic nails on as they come off.

Clip your nails as short as possible to make the process easier. Next apply some petroleum jelly to your fingers (except the nails) to prevent your skin from drying out completely during the soaking.

Pour the entire bottle of nail polish remover in a bowl. Warm it up in the microwave to make the process faster and easier. Soak your fingernails for about 15 to 20 minutes. The acrylic nails should start to come apart from your natural nail at this point. Gently peel them back a little and soak longer if they still seem pretty attached. Repeat this process until you can easily peel the entire acrylic nail off. Don’t force it, or you risk ripping your own nail out of the nail bed, which is very painful.

Wash your hands several times when you’re done to get all the acetone off. Use a good hand moisturizer. The acetone dries your skin out. Your nails will look very rough from the acrylic coming off. Use a nail buffer to smooth them out. They’ll start looking better after a few days.


By: Mila Sidman

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/

How Often Should You Look After Your Nails And How To Prevent The Most Common Nail Problems

There are quite a few different problems which can occur with our nails. Uncared for nails can easily become brittle, split and white spots can often appear.

It can be hard knowing how often you should care for your nails and what you should do. However, with a little time and effort you will notice that looking after your nails really does not have to be overly hard.

How Often You Should Look After Your Nails:

As a general rule, your nails should be looked after every single day. Simple hygiene such as using a nail brush and mild soap and water daily is not really a chore and it only takes a few minutes of your time. On top of that there are also other things you can do weekly including:

Removing any old nail polish by moistening a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Press the cotton to the nail for just a few seconds to soften the polish and prevent any rubbing of the nail. In one firm movement move the cotton from the base of the nail, right up to the tip and then repeat until the polish has all come off.

Next shape the nail by using an emery board. It is better to file the nails from the corner to the centre, though you should not file the actual corner itself. It is important to not run the file up and down the nail as this can cause ridges and other potential problems with the nail.

The next step is to soak the hands in warm water for up to a few minutes, in order to remove any built up dirt and bits of nail from the filing that was just done. Use an orange wood stick to clean under the nail.

Many people like to push their cuticles back but generally it is better to leave the cuticle where it is. If you are unsure as to where the cuticle in the nail is, it is basically the skin which grows from the finger onto the base of the nail. Not pushing the cuticle back helps to prevent infections.

Although you can buy different top coats and base coats, it is thought that a clear nail polish does exactly the same job and so it is cheaper to just apply clear nail polish first. Next choose whichever color you want for your nails and apply. Leave them to dry and then apply another layer of clear nail polish as a topcoat to seal the color in and to prevent chipping.

It is recommended that you visit a professional manicurist every six weeks in order to keep your nails extra healthy. Some good tips for caring for your nails include not using nail polish remover more than once a week. Nail polish remover can cause the nails to dry out and crack and split. Also, after washing your hands always apply lotion or moisturizer to the nails in order to keep them well lubricated and protected.

White spots often occur on the nails and they are generally nothing to worry about. Whilst they can indicate a problem with nutrition, most white spots are caused by rough manicures and too much force applied to the nail. In this case they should grow out on their own and you should make a note to yourself to be extra careful with your nails in future

Also ridges are another common problem which are usually caused by too much pressure on the nail. Some ridges are also down to hereditary factors and these can only be controlled by smoothing them down using a buffer. If the ridges have only just occurred they can be a symptom of anemia and so it is always better to consult your doctor.

Overall, looking after your nails need not be a chore. It does not take long to scrub under the nails with soapy water using a nail brush, and having a manicure once every six weeks can actually be quite fun. So, look after your nails daily and you should not have many problems!

By: Louise Forrest

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Do You Want Beautiful Nails? Do Something About It!

Some people are born with beautiful nails. But, more women keep their nails looking beautiful with nail polish and other treatments like Rejuvacote and those offered by Nailtiques. With so many outstanding products on the market there is no reason for your fingernails not to look beautiful at all times. Even if you have weak, brittle nails there is still hope for you. Consider the advantages offered by the following treatments and see which one is best for you!

Nailtiques
There are many different types of Nailtiques products and treatments. They are all specifically designed to improve and enhance the appearance of fingernails and skin. Most of the Nailtiques formulas are designed and formulated to improve the condition of fingernails. Nails that are dry, flaky, that chip or peel, are no match for the treatments by Nailtiques. It takes seeing to believe, but after you use the Nailtiques products you will find your nails are repaired, healthy, and beautiful like you always dreamed of.

Rejuvacote
If you have been wearing acrylic nails for some time, or even a short period of time, you know how thin and brittle your natural nails can become. Your natural nails actually become so thin that they are flimsy and can easily break, crack, or peel. But, Rejuvacote rescues your nails. No matter how bad your nails are after wearing acrylics you can use Rejuvacote and see significant results in no time.

Nail Polish
There are all sorts of nail polish you can choose from. There are nail polishes that simply add color, there are others that treat a specific problem like weak nails, and there are still more that have a combination effect. You may have a favorite nail polish, most women do, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out some other nail polish brands, either. There are some outstanding types of nail polish you can choose from. In fact, there are all kinds of nail polish that are probably better than yours so try some of the salon brands and see which ones you like best!

Gorgeous Hands at Last
Using products like Rejuvacote, Nailtiques, and salon quality nail polish will result in you having gorgeous hands in just a few weeks. You may never have imagined that you could have beautiful hands, but with these treatments you can!

By: Sally Hart

Article Source: www.iSnare.com