Nail Care
So often nail care is relegated to the category of luxury, not need. Many men and women neglect nail care either due to a lack of time or inclination that effort is better spent elsewhere. How awful then that most first impressions come from handshakes? Inevitably, new acquaintances and potential business clients glance at the hand extended to them. Well manicured fingers are not only inviting, but nonverbally communicate an attention to detail more powerful than any boasting of past deeds. But how do you achieve flawless nail care when you are on a tight schedule as most of us are?
The significant steps for well manicured finger nails are: soaking to remove dirt and grime, trimming cuticles, filing nails, and applying a clear coat for protection and shine. To maximize efficiency, begin by multitasking! Instead of soaking hands for five to ten minutes in warm water in an act on its own, take advantage of the times when hands are already spotless. After a shower or finishing the evening dishes is a perfect time to jump to step two. If there is any residue under nails after the shower or dishwashing, simply ease an orange stick or tip of a pointed nail file under the edge of the finger nail.
Hand soaking does not only remove dirt from the day's activities; it also softens cuticles for trimming. For really soft hands, soak hands in a water bath mixture of gentle soap and a moisturizing lotion. If you used the orange stick to clean under your nails, quickly wash it to remove any bacteria before using it on your cuticles. Use the stick to ease back any wayward cuticles, also known as the skin around fingernails that is painful when pulled. Only use the stick to make the skin stand up, and try not to pull up living skin as that will be a big "Ouch!" Using a nail clipper, or you can purchase a special cuticle clipper, snip the dead skin away. This leaves nails looking larger, and reduces the likelihood the skin will rip and bleed at a later date.
You will need to wait a bit between steps two and three, as filing wet nails is a good way to cause unintended ripping. Only once nails are thoroughly dry should a nail file or emery board be used to file. If nails have grown too long to be comfortable, use a nail clipper first to trim down the nail and the nail file only for fine tuning. Men should keep a boxier look to their nails, keeping a clean, neat appearance, but not necessarily an overly manicured one. Women can shape finger nails into a more rounded tip, a nice trick to make fingers look longer and more slender, or keep a square edge to draw attention to the nail.
Unless it is a special occasion, skip the nail color and only apply a clear coat of polish. Almost worse than neglected nail care is half-hearted nail care, and chipped bright nail polish screams half-hearted effort. A simple clear coat or two of polish is all that is needed for attractive, professional hands. Polish is not simply an aesthetic. A strong nail polish will also help protect nails from the daily abuse of finger jamming, snags, and breaking. It won't prevent damage if you slam a hammer on your finger, but normal wear and tear shouldn't be a problem. Nail polish has a pretty short shelf life once opened, so after a few weeks, replace it with a new bottle. If the polish is chunky and resists spreading from the brush, it has expired. Apply in two to three broad strokes to prevent unflattering streaks. If a large glob of polish lands on a finger nail, simply wipe it away and begin anew. Heavy coats of polish won't cure or harden in time to prevent a smudge or finger nail print.
Finally, receiving a manicure can be relaxing and stress reducing, but the expense and needed time are often in short supply for many of us. Don't forsake all your nail care for those reasons. With only about a weekly twenty minute time investment, hands can keep the look of a professional manicure. Well-manicured hands are a sign of class and professionalism. Use multitasking to reduce the overall time investment needed, and only hit on the important steps. If you have more time to devote to nail care, then by all means use a neutral color requiring more coats, or add a tasteful decoration to the tips. Just remember to refresh the color or design as appropriate to prevent it from looking shabby. Keep up this small detail of personal care to wow anyone on a first impression.
