THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NAIL CARE

Let us ask you this… How high does nail care come up on your beauty to-do list? If you’re anything like us it will go something like skin care, hair care, body care then every now and again nail care. But, whether you’re one to mimic Hailey Bieber’s manis or bare all by going polish-free, healthy nails are a non-negotiable when it comes to your self care regime.   

Don’t know where to start? No worries. Here at Cult Beauty, we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up everything from how to care for your nails to the best polishes, vanishes and more, so you can enjoy a salon-approved set from the comfort of your own home.  

BUT FIRST, IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET TO KNOW YOUR NAILS 

Before we delve deep into how to care for your nails, it’s essential to get to know the anatomy of them – after all the nail plate, cuticle, nail bed and matrix all play a starring role in maintaining their overall health. Simply put, the nail plate is what you can see, the cuticle is designed to protect, the bed is responsible for growth and the matrix is where the news cells are produced.  

HEALTHY VS UNHEALTHY NAILS

Identifying if your nails are healthy is the first step to achieving an at-home manicure. But how do you determine their condition? 

SIGNS OF HEALTHY NAILS: 

• Nail plates are a pinkish, white colour 
• Your cuticles are visible and existent  
• The lunula (AKA the half-moon shaped white section) is prominent on your nail base  
• Your nails and white tips are even in length  

SIGNS OF UNHEALTHY NAILS: 

• Peeling or splitting of nails regularly occurs  
• Tiny white spots appear on your nails from over painting 
• You have swollen skin around your nails that has occurred from biting cuticles or removing nails 
• Horizontal grooves are visible on your nail plate

HOW TO CARE FOR NAILS  

If your nails fall into the less healthy category, it’s time to give them the TLC they deserve and bring them back to life. Cue: your new and improved nail care routine. As the foundation to healthy nails, it’s crucial that you take the time to stay committed and consistent to the easy and efficient steps below… 

STEP ONE: CUT YOUR NAILS REGULARLY 

Not only does cutting your nails regularly improve your hands’ health, but your overall health too. How? We’re glad you asked. In essence, trimmed nails prevent the spreading of germs and bacteria, keeping infections at bay. And if that isn’t enough, shorter nails are less likely to snag or break too.  

STEP TWO: PUSH YOUR CUTICLES BACK 

Whether you’re painting your nails or not, take the time to push back your cuticles to keep them looking neat and tidy. To do this apply cuticle cream or oil and leave the formula to absorb for up to 10 minutes to soften the surface. Then using a cuticle stick, gently push the cuticles back to the base of the nail, before getting rid of any excess skin with a cuticle clipper. 

STEP THREE: FILE YOUR NAILS 

Before you begin filling, make sure you’ve removed any nail polish and your hands are clean. Then, sit back, relax and get filing. But remember, always file away from the outside of your nails and only file in one direction and avoid applying too much pressure. And when it comes to what nail shape you want? Take inspiration from what’s trending on your FYP.  

STEP FOUR: MOISTURISE YOUR NAILS DAILY 

Just like your skin, hair and body keeping your mani moisturised is key. Quench your nails’ thirst by applying cuticle oil daily. Flooded with hydrating heroes (we’re talking shea, coconut and copaiba oil), these featherweight fusions keep them in a healthy condition that your nail tech would be proud of.  

STEP FIVE: POLISH, THE RIGHT WAY 

Now your nails are prepped, it’s time to treat them to a little pamper session. Once you’ve chosen your preferred polish, start by removing any excess colour from the brush and get ready to release your inner Picasso. We recommend starting in the centre and working your way out – and applying your second coat in the same order (if your design permits it). Once your second coat is dry, complete your look with a  top coat. This finishing touch will add some shine, prevent the colour from chipping and make your set last longer. 

NAIL CARE TIPS YOUR DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED ‘TILL NOW 

1. Avoid unnecessary contact with water: before you ask, no we’re not telling you to stop washing your hands. The key word here is *unnecessary*. Weakening your nail structure, it’s important to uncover ways in which you can reduce the time they spend under water. A case in point? Make sure you’re slipping on your Marigolds when washing the dishes. 
2. Treat your nails the same way you would treat your hair: both composed of keratin proteins, treating your hair and nails the same is nail care 101. As they both have the tendency to become dry and damaged from over-processing (we’re talking frequent use of polish removes, gels, colour and heat), it’s important to keep them hydrated. To do this use indulge in nail oils and hand creams.  
3. Be gentle: your nails are delicate, so we need to treat them with care. For starters avoid using metal tools beneath your nail plate, as too much digging can cause it to separate from the skin and lift. And, for those who like to indulge in acrylics or gels occasionally, make sure to remove them correctly – by this we mean don’t peel them off, as this shaves your nail plate and makes them weaker over time.  
4. Give your nails a break: save the nail art and Pinterest-inspired designs for those special occasions and opt for a clear gloss for day-to-day wear. Powerful pigment can dry out nails, turn them yellow and weaken their structure. Just like your skin and hair, your nails need a rest and repair period too! 
5. Keep your nail file close at all times: a broken nail can occur at any given moment – whether you’re at work, the gym or at brunch with your bestie. Therefore, we recommend always having your nail file on standby to buff out any rough edges and prevent further damage.  

BEST NAILL POLISHES & NAIL CARE PRODUCTS 

Manucurist Active Glow Polish 15ml - Raspberry

DOUBLE STATUS POINTS

14

18.08€

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Sitting somewhere between your polish and nourishing nail treatment, Manucurist’s Green Active Glow serves up a French finish – sans the salon appointment. Regenerating nail growth while boosting a rosy glow, this formula fuses sweet almond oil, raspberry and a cocktail of AHAs to soothe, smooth and add some shine to your self-prepped set.  

Ruby Hammer Nail Kit

DOUBLE STATUS POINTS

1

24.80€

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Offering 24-hours of nail maintenance when you’re on the go, Ruby Hammer’s Nail Kit features all the everyday essentials you need to keep your talons in tip-top condition. Perfectly proportioned to slip into your handbag, this survival set is housed in a neon pink travel pouch and includes a glass file and complimentary  cuticle pusher. Now, that’s what we call couple goals. 

nails inc. Everybody in Love Quad Set

3

25.99€

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Encouraging you to ‘strip down into your birthday suit and live life in the nude’, NAILS.INC’s Everybody In Love Quad includes (you guessed it) four of the brand’s bestselling polishes. Celebrating being comfortable in our own skin, this beauty bundle boosts a range of neutral hues from deep brown, creamy nude and everything in between.  

L'Occitane Shea Nail and Cuticle Nourishing Oil 7.5ml

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6

RRP: 17.52€Current price: 14.01€

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Going above and beyond to ensure happy, healthy and hydrated fingertips, L’Occitane's Shea Nail Cuticle Nourishing Oil banishes brittle nails. Enriched with an impressively high concentration of shea oil at 30%, it delivers dew and provides protective properties shielding your set from unwanted breakages. Plus, fitted with a brush applicator, it’s mess-free and dishes our just the right amount of oil for each and every nail. 

Tweezerman Manicure Kit

DOUBLE STATUS POINTS

6

13.50€

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Bringing the salon home, Tweezerman’s Manicure Kit is filled with treasured tools your talons will thank you for. Taking your nails from neglected to neat, this one-stop shop contains two high-quality nail files, a multitasking buffer (that files, buffs, smooths and shines) and a pair of nail clippers for seamless shaping maintenance.  

So, there you have it… now you know how to care for your nails, all that’s left to do is cancel your appointment and enjoy your very own manicure from your bed, sofa or wherever you decide to chill.