Whether you're the type of girl who always has her nails painted, or you prefer a more natural look, polished hands let the world know you're a total power girl. But you don't need to save up for weekly manis or be ambidextrous to rock flawless nails on the reg. Pay attention to these pro tips to learn the secrets of girls who have nails on fleek every single day.
1. They keep their nails clean. Just like you wash your face every day, you should clean under your nails every day, too. "Even if you're wearing black nail polish, you need your nails to be clean for optimal growth and strength," says celeb manicurist Geraldine Holford, who works with Selena Gomez and Lauren Conrad. "You can use a nail brush and just soap and water."
2. They always apply a top coat. "Make sure you use a good top coat so your nails look shiny!," says Geraldine. "It also extends your mani." Even if you're going polish-free, a swipe of clear polish takes two minutes and makes your nails look instantly more put-together. We love INM Out The Door Fast Drying Top Coat because it dries quickly, and it's super affordable.
3. They file them in one direction. You'll damage your nails if you file back and forth with a rough nail file. Instead, file only in one direction, hitting the tips of your nails.
4. They don't bite them. Your mom is right on this one: The germs on your hands shouldn't be going anywhere near your mouth. Biting also damages your nail beds, sometimes irreconcilably. Not to mention, it leaves your nail tips jagged and uneven.
5. They apply cuticle oil. Dry cuticles can instantly ruin even the most flawless of manis. Geraldine always uses cuticle oil on her celeb clients over hand or nail cream. "Oil absorbs into your nails, while cream just sits on top," she explains. She loves Chia seed or Jojoba oil, which you can grab at any health food store for less than $10.
6. They lightly buff them. In addition to filing your tips, you want to buff anything peeling off your nail beds. But be careful not to over buff, or you'll leave them weak and thin.
7. They don't pick at their cuticles. Just like biting your nails, picking at your cuticles could damage your nails, causing them not to grow properly. Eek! The best way to break the habit is to keep your cuticles healthy and moisturized (see #5) so they don't peel.
8. They push back their cuticles. Cutting the thin skin around your nails can lead to infection. Plus, once you cut them, they grow back quickly and start to fray if you don't trim them again. Instead, just lightly push your cuticles back every day and they'll never be overgrown. "After washing your hands with warm water, get a regular towel and push back your cuticles," Geraldine explains. "It'll help keep them in check."
9. They don't pick at their nail polish. It's sooooo tempting, but if your polish is flaking off, just remove it with nail polish remover. Because when you pick at the polish, you're also removing the top layer of your nails, causing them to thin and weaken. Plus, one little chip is probably only noticeable to you, but an entire hand of picked-off polish is hard to hide.
10. They wear gloves while doing dishes. Having your hands under hot water for a while can really dry out your nails. So if it's your turn to do the dishes, or to clean the bathroom, ask your mom or dad for some rubber gloves before you get to work. Mix some oil with hand cream, and apply to your nails and fingers before popping on the gloves, and it'll be like getting a spa manicure while you're stuck doing chores.
