1. BE PATIENT
All our nails grow at different speed- some faster/slower than others. You won't wake up the next day after using a million treatments and expect them to have grown. It can take at least 3-6 months for all your finger nails to grow out to its full length. So be patient and those fabulous nails will grow in no time!
2. KEEP 'EM CLEAN
Keep your nails clean to encourage them to grow healthy and strong. Avoid using harsh chemicals such as cleaning products, directly onto your nails as it will weaken them and be more prone to breakages. Alternatively, wear rubber gloves when cleaning.
3. TREAT THEM
There are many nail treatments available in the market to encourage nail growth and strength. I like to use the O.P.I Original Nail Envy Nail Strengthener as a base coat, before applying a coloured polish. This strengthens as well as enables the nail polish to last longer. Sally Hansen (available from Boots) do a great range of treatments for dry & brittle nails, soft & weak nails and cuticle oils.
4. DO NOT BITE
Nail biting will slow down the process of your nail growth. It also makes them weaker as you use your teeth to bite or rip the nails off. There are 'stop and grow' products such as Orly Colour Blast Nail Treatment Stop Biting Polish which you use as a normal nail polish, but if you do attempt to bite them you will have a horrible, bitter taste in your mouth (this can be used as a top coat, over any other nail polishes of your choice).
5. SAY NO TO ACETONE
Acetone is a very strong chemical. It not only removes nail polish very easily but it takes away all the moisture and natural oils, leaving nails and the finger tips feeling and looking quite dry. My favourite nail polish removers are the Sally Hansen Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover and O.P.I Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover. If you only remove nail polish every 2-3 weeks, it is okay to use an acetone base remover as long as you moisturise your hands thoroughly straight after.
6. MOISTURISE
The area around your nails can get dry and rough. To prevent this from happening, it is important to wash and moisturise. A good moisturise such as the Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream and Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Therapy Hand Cream will soothe the dryness and soften the cuticles.
7. DIET
Diet plays a big role in how your body functions and develops. As I've said before on the blog, there is literally nothing that water can't fix. Water keeps the nails and cuticles hydrated. Foods such as spinach, chicken and fish are high in protein and will help towards the growth of healthy looking nails.
8. SHAPING
When filing your nails, it is important to only file in one direction- this is to prevent chipping and split nails. Try to avoid using metal files as they can be extremely harsh on our nails. I like to use the Boots 4 Way Buffer Block to file, buff, smooth and shine.
9. PROTECT THEM
The best way to protect your nails is to not do too much to them too often. A quick 'home' manicure every 2-3 weeks is more than enough. Top coats are available in 2 different finishes; shiny and matte (my favourite). Using a top coat after every nail colour application, it creates a barrier and enables the nail polish to last longer. My current favourite top coats are Barry M Matte Top Coat, O.P.I Rapidry Top Coat and Essie Nails Super Fast Dry Top Coat.
10. TOOLS
Avoid using your nails as tools! Don't put too much pressure on them while picking something up- they can get flexible and bend backwards, it is extremely painful.
3. TREAT THEM
There are many nail treatments available in the market to encourage nail growth and strength. I like to use the O.P.I Original Nail Envy Nail Strengthener as a base coat, before applying a coloured polish. This strengthens as well as enables the nail polish to last longer. Sally Hansen (available from Boots) do a great range of treatments for dry & brittle nails, soft & weak nails and cuticle oils.
4. DO NOT BITE
Nail biting will slow down the process of your nail growth. It also makes them weaker as you use your teeth to bite or rip the nails off. There are 'stop and grow' products such as Orly Colour Blast Nail Treatment Stop Biting Polish which you use as a normal nail polish, but if you do attempt to bite them you will have a horrible, bitter taste in your mouth (this can be used as a top coat, over any other nail polishes of your choice).
5. SAY NO TO ACETONE
Acetone is a very strong chemical. It not only removes nail polish very easily but it takes away all the moisture and natural oils, leaving nails and the finger tips feeling and looking quite dry. My favourite nail polish removers are the Sally Hansen Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover and O.P.I Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover. If you only remove nail polish every 2-3 weeks, it is okay to use an acetone base remover as long as you moisturise your hands thoroughly straight after.
6. MOISTURISE
The area around your nails can get dry and rough. To prevent this from happening, it is important to wash and moisturise. A good moisturise such as the Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream and Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Therapy Hand Cream will soothe the dryness and soften the cuticles.
7. DIET
Diet plays a big role in how your body functions and develops. As I've said before on the blog, there is literally nothing that water can't fix. Water keeps the nails and cuticles hydrated. Foods such as spinach, chicken and fish are high in protein and will help towards the growth of healthy looking nails.
8. SHAPING
When filing your nails, it is important to only file in one direction- this is to prevent chipping and split nails. Try to avoid using metal files as they can be extremely harsh on our nails. I like to use the Boots 4 Way Buffer Block to file, buff, smooth and shine.
9. PROTECT THEM
The best way to protect your nails is to not do too much to them too often. A quick 'home' manicure every 2-3 weeks is more than enough. Top coats are available in 2 different finishes; shiny and matte (my favourite). Using a top coat after every nail colour application, it creates a barrier and enables the nail polish to last longer. My current favourite top coats are Barry M Matte Top Coat, O.P.I Rapidry Top Coat and Essie Nails Super Fast Dry Top Coat.
10. TOOLS
Avoid using your nails as tools! Don't put too much pressure on them while picking something up- they can get flexible and bend backwards, it is extremely painful.