18.3.12

Project Nail: Getting them back to health

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Judging by the vast amount of nail polish posts on this blog, you probably already know that I love nail polish. I think nails are a really important part of your overall appearance. The right color can just pull a look together. But, to be honest, I'm quite careless when it comes to my nails.

As you can see in the header, and in the picture below. My nails are a horrible, short, yellow, unhealthy mess at the moment. I wear polishes too often, I don't use a quality nail polish remover and I don't give them time to breath. And the worst part, I don't use a quality base coat. All important steps in maintaining healthy and strong nails.

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Then how do you get those longs nails in your nail polish posts, you might ask. The answer... falsies. As you can see on the pictures above there are a few really damaged nails. On those nails I wore false nails for the last two to three weeks. Whenever a nail would tear or break and I'd be unable to fix it, I would stick a falsie on and call it a day. While that left me with long and pretty looking nails (when covered in polish) it certainly didn't benefit the health of my nails. So yesterday I took all the falsies off, cut all my unhealthy brittle nails short and started project nail. I'm going to work hard and try my best to get my nails to their full natural looking health.

And that requires a couple of steps.

Step 1: I'm not going to wear any polish for the next two weeks. Starting yesterday. So until saturday the 31st of March, my nails will be free of color.

Step 2: I'm going to remove the yellow stains by creating a paste of baking soda and water. Baking soda is a natural whitening product. You can also use it on teeth, like I mentioned HERE. Just apply the paste to your nails and let it sit for thirty minutes. This should effectively remove the yellow stains from your nails.

Step 3: Completely quit smoking. Even though I only smoke about tree cigarettes a month, it's incredibly bad for and it stains your hands, nails and teeth. Not to mention the dangers for your body and skin.

Step 4: Get regular manicures. The salons in my town are overpriced and not that good, but I'm sure a little research and a short trainride will get me to a place where they take care of my nails and leave them looking pretty and healthy.

Step 5: Cuticle care. I don't really take care of my cuticles. I will start maintaining and moisturizing them regularly.

Step 6: Invest in a good base coat. I'm going to do some research (beauty blogs are such a wonderful thing) and find myself a proper basecoat. Any suggestions?

Step 7: Have at least one polish free day a week. To let my nails breath and maintain their natural color and shine.

I think these steps will aid me in achieving wonderful looking healthy nails. I personally can't wait to see the results of my effort. What about you? Maybe you have some more tips for me? Let me know!

7 comments:

  1. I need to do this too my nails aren't looking so nice under their nail polish disguise:)

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    1. I was pretty done with disguising them with polish. Health comes before beauty! Although I must admit it's terribly hard on me. Everywhere I look now there are beautifully manicured nails... haha.

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  2. I saw your nails last evening, they didn't look too healthy indeed. I knew a post was coming xD You really have to give them some time to recover. My mother didn't do that, and her nails are ruined completely.

    I also recommend special nailcare products. I use "nailcreme" from Teatree (Kruidvat) and that works really well for my nails. As you noticed, you thought I had fake nails at first xD But they are really my own nails. I use the nailcreme every time before applying nailpolish.

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    1. I really did think they were falsies. It's pretty much impossible to get mine to look as pretty as yours do, I am jealous! I'll check out the tea tree cream you recommended, I love the other products from that range.

      Thanks for the tip, Tess!

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  3. Ok.been there so few advices:If you want really hardcore nails treatment is the Flexitol nails cream(u can find it at Boots)..smells shitty but in a few days u see improvement...OR invest in the Fluttery Lemon nails cream from Lush,it works wonders :)x

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    1. I wish we had Boots in the Netherlands. But maybe when I'm in a splurge-happy mood I'll check out the Lush nail cream. I have been meaning to try some of their products... the stores always smell so good!

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  4. Great tips! =)


    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

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