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9 Healthy Nails Tips

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There are many myths that float about the Internet about what are signs of healthy nails or the opposite. So it can be a minefield when you are trying to look after yourself as part of your self-care routine. These are simply my healthy nail tips I try to follow and recommended by reputable medical sources.

healthy nail tips- what do healthy nails look like

Our nails are a pretty important part of our fingers and toes. They help protect the skin underneath on our fingers and toes when they are being used as tools. And they do take a beating at times, because they are there to protect us. So often white marks or spots come up that are simply from damage happening to the nail or nail bed in our everyday lives. How often do you bang your hands on something, and then ten minutes later have completely forgotten that you did it until you notice a mark turns up. Most marks from damage like that will grow out (eventually…the time taken depends on how quickly your nails and hair grown and the time of year too).

Normal healthy nails should be pink where the nail is on the skin, and white on the part that grows off the nail bed. They can sometimes develop harmless vertical ridges down them (going from cuticle to nail tip that is), which can be more prominent the older you get.

(If you want to know what is NOT normal for nails, take a look at this article by the Mayo Clinic).

Tips to keep your healthy nails.

  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Drink plenty of water- 2 great things for your whole body.
  • Moisturise your hands and nails daily with a non greasy moisturiser.
  • Use Cuticle oil daily (applied to skin above nail, not to cuticles directly).
  • Keep your nails trimmed and filed to prevent any devastating tears. And if one occurs, get to it quickly to save further damage.
  • Keep your nails dry and clean – which means wearing rubber gloves if doing the washing up!
  • Apply a nail hardener if you think your nails need more strength.
  • Don’t bite or pick at your nails or hangnails. Always use clippers or sharp nail scissors. (Yes Steve this includes you!).
  • Use gentle products on your nails. Try to use acetone free removers etc so they don’t dry your nails out as much.

To download these tips to keep as a reminder click here.

But if you are ever unsure about something to do with your nails, go speak to your doctor who can tell you if it’s something sinister…don’t just rely on those images of 10 signs of unhealthy nails you just googled! Some of them may be right, but some may be completely wrong and tell you that something is happening that isn’t really. Your doctor is the best person to ask in the end. Not Dr Google!

Here are some of the top recommended products for healthy nails on Amazon, or you can search your own.


References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954

https://www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/nails/nail-color.php

Want to take your self care that extra step? Then read about adding wraps and tips on how to apply them.

How to apply Jamberry wraps- official method

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How to apply Jamberry wraps - official methodYour lovely new wraps have arrived or you just got a sample from your consultant. And you are not quite sure on how to put them on. Well here’s how to apply Jamberry wraps- official method. This is the officially recommended method advised by Jamberry.

What you will need:

(the first 5 are available in our application kit)

  • Purple cuticle pusher or orange stick
  • nail scissors
  • nail file
  • buffer block
  • alcohol wipe or nail prep cleanser
  • Mini-heater or hairdryer
  • Jamberry nail wraps

Step 1

Prepare your nails.

Wash hands with dish detergent, thoroughly going over each nail. Use an orange stick or cuticle pusher and gently push back your cuticles from your nails. (If you have a lot of cuticle built up on your nail, try Jamberry Cuticle Remover first by painting it over the nail and cuticle and leaving for 2 minutes before pushing back cuticle and then rinsing off).

Buff your nails lightly with a buffer block to get the shine off them. Then clean nails with an alcohol wipe or Nail Prep Cleanser/Wipe. 

Step 2

Match the nail wrap up that best fits each nail. Aim for a smaller size than the nail to avoid overlapping the wrap on the skin and nail edges as that could cause it to lift.

Step 3

Cut the nail wrap in half. Use the orange stick to pick up wrap from the cut side and peel away from clear backing sheet.

Step 4

Warm up the sticky side of the nail wrap with a Mini-Heater or blow dryer for around 3 seconds. Avoid overheating it.

Step 5

Press the nail wrap onto your nail with the round edge at the cuticle. Smooth the nail wrap firmly down the center of the nail towards the tip of your nail. Then smooth the sides out starting at the centre and going out towards the edges. This seals the nail wrap to your nail.

Step 6

Trim off most of the excess wrap with nail scissors, so you can work on the other nails. Apply heat and pressure to each one till they are bonded to the nail.

Step 7

File off remaining excess with a coarse file using a downward motion at 90 degree angle to the nail. Keep filing until edge feels smooth and does not catch on clothing. If a finer file is needed, try the glass nail file.

Here is the official video link for application:

(If you find this official method does not work for your own nails. There are a few other methods you can try. The Cold 1, 2, 3 method is the one I use the most myself. Come check out my other posts to see this method).

Now you should have beautifully decorated nails that will last up to 2 weeks. You can brag to your friends that your fancy nails were easily done from the comfort of your home. And if they’d like to try them out, send them here to ask for a sample.

For more tips, come and join my special group that also loves using Jamberry products.

10 Jamberry application tips to get a great manicure at home

How to apply Jamberry wraps- the Cold 1, 2, 3 method

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how to apply wraps cold 1 2 3This is my favourite method of how to apply Jamberry wraps – the Cold 1,2,3 method. If you have tried the official method of application (see here) and found it didn’t work well for you, this may be the answer to being able to wear those lovely samples you got.

Step 1

Prepare your nails as with official method.

Wash hands with dish detergent, thoroughly going over each nail. Use an orange stick or purple cuticle pusher and gently push back your cuticles from your nails. (If you have a lot of cuticle built up on your nail, try Jamberry Cuticle Remover first by painting it over the nail and cuticle and leaving for 2 minutes before pushing back cuticle and then rinsing off).

Buff your nails lightly with a buffer block to get the shine off them. Then clean nails with an alcohol wipe or Nail Prep Cleanser/Wipe

Step 2

Match the nail wrap up that best fits each nail. Aim for a smaller size than the nail to avoid overlapping the wrap on the skin and nail edges as that could cause it to lift.

Step 3

Cut the nail wrap in half. Use the orange stick to pick up wrap from the cut side and peel away from clear backing sheet.

Step 4

Lightly put the nail wrap onto your nail with the round edge at the cuticle. As it is not heated you can lift it up and re-position the wrap as needed. (I often find some fingers I can never get right the first time).

Step 5

Warm up the centre of the nail wrap with a Mini-Heater or blow dryer for around 3 seconds. Avoid overheating it.

Step 6

Smooth the nail wrap firmly down the center of the nail towards the tip of your nail with your cuticle pusher or orange stick.

Step 7

Warm up one side of the nail wrap and then smooth the sides out starting at the centre and going out towards that edge. Repeat for the other side.

Step 8

Trim off most of the excess wrap with nail scissors, so you can work on the other nails. Apply heat and pressure to each one till they are bonded to the nail.

Step 9

File off remaining excess with a coarse file using a downward motion at 90 degree angle to the nail. Keep filing until edge feels smooth and does not catch on clothing. If a finer file is needed, try the glass nail file.

And there you go! You have successfully applied your own Jamberry nail wraps. Go show them off to your friends and brag about how they will not chip or smudge and last up to 2 weeks. And if they’d like to try them out some as they are so amazed, send them here to ask for a sample of their very own to try out.

10 Jamberry application tips to get a great manicure at home

10 Jamberry application tips to get a great manicure at home

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Jamberry wraps are a great cheaper alternative to getting your nails done at the salon, but there are a few things you need to consider to get the best out of your application. So here are 10 Jamberry application tips to get a great  manicure at home every time!

10 Jamberry application tips to get a great manicure at home

Jamberry application tips

Tip 1 – Nail preparation

For great wrap application you need to remove all oils from your nails by washing your hands with a grease cutting dish detergent and wipe down each nail thoroughly with an alcohol wipe. Don’t use acetone or removers that have moisturisers or conditioners in them. If you have extremely oily nails, vinegar is a great oil remover!

Tip 2- Cuticles

As part of your nail preparation, you need to push back the cuticles. Any skin touching the wrap can affect the adhesive surface.  A lot of people have invisible cuticles that build up on their nails. Cuticle remover can help get this extra layer off your nail- apply product to nail, leave on two minutes and then push back cuticles with an orange stick or cuticle spoon, paying attention to scraping the excess from your nail. Then wash remover from your nails before using an alcohol wipe.

Tip 3 – Sizing

Embrace the Gap! You do NOT want your wrap to touch ANY skin or cuticle! ALWAYS leave a small sliver of nail around the wrap edge. You will not see this from afar and means your wraps will last the longest possible time!

Tip 4 – Handling wraps

Do not touch the back (sticky part) of the wrap with your fingers at all! Instead use an orange stick, tweezers or cuticle pusher to handle the wrap.

Tip 5- Smoothing the wrap

Apply the wrap from base of the nail to the tip. Once it is in place, smooth the wrap from base to tip with orange stick or cuticle pusher. Then work from side to side in a feathering pattern, starting from the base and working up to the tip. This lessens the chance of bubbling and wrinkling happening. Then go over all the edges again to ensure a water-tight seal is achieved for your whole wrap.

Tip 6 – Order of application

Do your dominant hand first- that’s the one your usually write with- while you have the most patience. You will get better at applying the wraps with your non-dominant hand and you will have the hardest done first! Finishing up your manicure will now be a breeze!

Tip 7- Useful Tools

A cuticle spoon pusher can help remove cuticles and can be heated to iron out wrinkles and bubbles in your wrap!

Tip 8- Cooling

Let your wraps cool completely for a few minutes before filing or clipping the tips.

Tip 9– Clipping

If you prefer to clip your nail or they are short, do not clip them before applying wraps. Instead, apply your wraps and then clip! This will form a nice clean edge on them.

Tip 10 – Wait

Wait several hours before submerging your hands in water, especially HOT water!!!! The same goes for applying oils or lotions! Simple hand washing is fine!

Now that you have worked on these tips, use your sample sheet of wraps to practise and perfect your technique!

Not sure what Jamberry is? Click here.

Want to learn about applying Jamberry wraps? Official method and Cold 1,2,3.

 

How to apply Jamberry wraps- official method

How to apply Jamberry wraps- the Cold 1, 2, 3 method

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What are Jamberry nail wraps?

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What are Jamberry nail wraps I hear you ask? You mean you still haven’t heard of them before! No? you are kidding! Well let’s see now about filling you in about Jamberry nail wraps.

What are Jamberry nail wraps?

They are a revolutionary do-it-yourself vinyl nail wrap designed by Jamberry and made in the United States. Originally marketed as nail shields, they are a heat activated vinyl adhesive that is very durable. You could say they are a vinyl sticker, but that last much longer than a regular sticker. They can last up to two weeks on your fingers and 4 weeks of toes. And as the original name suggests, they do help protect your nails from the perils that befall so many ladies nails (tears, rips, chips). The wraps are smudge proof, and will not chip or streak like polish. And can be applied in the convenience of your own home in around 20 minutes.

What do they look like?

There are over 300 designs available in Australia. From subtle designs to intricate geometric designs, from block solids to multicolour, there is a Jamberry nail wrap for every woman’s personal style. You can even search by design style or colour on their website to find ones that you may like the best!

what are Jamberry nail wraps

Jamberry nail wraps come on a clear backing sheet and each sheet has enough to complete two whole manicures, two pedicures and then between 4 and 8 accent nails. A single wrap is cut in half and can do two fingers (and depending on the length of nails, can be used to cover more nails later depending on your skill). The largest pedicure wraps can be cut into 8 to cover the smaller toes, and the next largest in two for the big toes.

The wrap is placed on the nail and heated for a few seconds with our Mini-heater. It is then pressed firmly onto the nail with a cuticle pusher or orange stick. That’s all it needs. Heat and pressure. And to finish it off, you file off the edge of the sticker with a nail file. Voila! Beautiful Jamberry nail wraps on your fingers and toes!

So what are Jamberry nail wraps? One of the best things to happen for your nails!

If you’d like to check out the vast range of designs available in Jamberry nail wraps click here! Or come and join in the fun with other Jamberry fans in my VIP group.

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what are Jamberry nail wraps

How to apply Jamberry wraps- official method

10 Jamberry application tips to get a great manicure at home