Spark

In a world of endless oils, balms, and tools designed to improve the appearance of our nails, it can be a little tricky to know where to start. We’re guilty of not doing much to care for our nails besides the occasional paint job, but we know how important it is to look after them. After some thorough research and asking our in-Centre beauty experts for their advice, we’ve put together a few handy tips to keep your nails in tip-top shape.

1) Trim regularly.

Trim your fingernails and clean under the nails as often as you can. If they get too long, you run the risk of breaking a nail, and we all know how painful that is! Use clippers or manicure scissors to achieve your desired length, and always cut hangnails instead of ripping them off. To achieve the shape you want, file your nails in one direction using light strokes to prevent damage.

2) Always moisturize.

Nails need moisture, just like your hands. There are tons of amazing hand creams out there, so spend some time looking around to find your favourite scent. When applying lotion, put extra care into working the lotion into your nails. We like to keep a bottle of moisturizer by the sink and apply it every time we wash our hands. If you need more intense moisturizing this winter, hand masks will change your life! They instantly pump moisture back into the skin and leave your hands feeling baby soft.

3) Learn proper cuticle care.

Cuticle care is the most intimidating part of the routine, but all you really need to do is keep them moisturized, and clip them when they start getting out of control. Just ensure you don’t remove the entire cuticle, as it prevents bacteria from entering your nail bed. We found an amazing product from LUSH called Lemony Flutter which nourishes your cuticles and improves the health of your nail. Apply this 2-3 times per week before bed, and watch your nails and cuticles become healthier!

4) Invest in nail strengthener.

If you’ve had acrylic nails or get Shellac manicures fairly often, you might have noticed your nails have become thinner and started to peel. Luckily, there are many products that can make them stronger – cue the nail strengthener and growth formulas! Many strengtheners contain protein, vitamin E, and calcium, which strengthen nails and prevent breaking and peeling. OPI recommends applying two coats to clean nails, followed by one coat every other day. It can also be used as a top coat over your nail polish for extra strength.

5) Don't forget to coat.

Do you really need a base coat? You sure do! It creates a barrier that protects your nails from the damaging effects of nail polish, and will give the polish a more even texture. If you have ridges in your nails, you can find ridge-filling base coats that fill in any lines or grooves for a smoother appearance. Finish off your nails with a top coat to prevent chipping and make the nails shine.

6) Play with colour.

Okay, this technically isn’t a nail care tip – but it’s the best part of the whole process! It’s always fun deciding on a colour, and this season we’re loving sparkly orange and classic red.

Looking for more insider tips? See how we elevate our basics.