What I Have Learned About Nails

We all learn things about our nails with the passage of time but sometimes we forget the basics for whatever reason — drink, forgetfulness, excitement… who knows. With this in mind I decided to make a list of what I have learned about my nails over the years. These are not in any particular order.

• Two coats dry better than three or four (and also better than one really thick coat) so I like to apply two coats of color (the first one thin and the second one a little thicker) then apply the top coat the next day depending on which top coat I am using.
• A little nail/cuticle conditioner is better than no conditioner but daily conditioner works wonders.
• Taking a break between manicures to give nails an allover conditioning keeps them looking healthier for when you want to go bare or almost bare.
• Buffers are evil. Sure they are great for reducing ridges and adding a bit of sheen to your nail beds but in the end all they do is weaken the nail so when the buffed part grows into the tip area it either splits like shale rock or breaks all together. Only use if absolutely necessary but preferably not at all.
• Don’t yank on a hang nail, it will always end badly. Or at least 99% of the time. You may get away with pulling on one but the next one won’t go the way you want it to. Wait and clip with the proper tools. Here is a visual reminder:

• When doing manicures the more light the better. I find the more light I have to work with the less likely I am to get polish all over my cuticles. The same holds true for working on the cuticles. If I can actually see them them clearly I am less like to over maintain them.
• If cuticles need to be pushed back then it works better and there is less damage if I just had a shower.
• My nails / cuticles are not going to look like the other bloggers. It is impossible. But for someone who washers their hands 25+ times a day and uses her nails as tools — well, they look pretty darn good.
• I don’t paint my nails to make them look better than someone else’s. I paint them because I think it is fun.
• Some days my nails / cuticles will look better than other days.
• There will always be someone who thinks your nails / cuticles look like crap. But there will always be others who think they look awesome. (Focus on the positive juice, not negative snit!)

It’s a simple list but I plan to continue to add to it as the light bulbs go on. Do you have anything you have learned about your nails recently?