The Biggest Nail Mistakes We Make & How To Fix Them

This fall, it’s all about who’s got the coolest nails: the sometimes forgotten beauty staple is making a comeback in a big way with nail art. From intricately painted designs to airbrushed stickers, being creative with your nails is quickly becoming the norm for fashionistas everywhere. What’s being lost in the shuffle? Nail health! If you’re going to work with these new trends, your nails need to be in great shape. Aija Vilemsonne, Creative Director for Pretty Woman USA, shares the biggest mistakes we make with our nails, and important ways to keep them looking their best to dress them up in this season’s fashions.

NAIL BITING

Obviously, in our “stressed out” culture, nail biting runs amok among women, old and young alike. While it’s obvious that it’s detrimental to the appearance of our nails, what might not be clear is the underlying damage that it causes when we resort to this unattractive habit. “Besides the fact that manicuring your nails is an important part of a composed look, nail biting can lead to other problems, including general illness. Also, with shorter nails, you’ll find that you can’t experiment with some of the upcoming trends – take care of them by slowly weaning yourself off of biting,” says Aija.

Flick the habit:

• The transfer of germs from nail biting is a breeding ground for bacteria. Whether you’re biting your nail so far down that it bleeds, which can cause an infection, or letting germs into your mouth by biting beneath the nail, it’s just not sanitary.
• Find another outlet for your stress. If you’re a person who uses their hands frequently, nail biting can be tempting. However, if you find another anxiety killer, such as a stress ball, you can eliminate the need to busy your hands as a stress reliever.
• If you’re running low on willpower, Aija suggests buying special nail polishes that have a bad taste – eventually, this will train your brain to look elsewhere for anxiety relief.

FORGETTING THE BASE COAT

Feeling pressed for time is basically a mainstay of any woman’s life. From getting ready for events to rushing to work, time is a rarity, and sometimes, we skip important parts of our beauty regimen to get out the door. Aija points out, “Most women skip the base coat when doing at-home manicures, which have been more prevalent following the recession. Don’t do it! It may seem like it’s an easy rule to break, but you’d be surprised of the ramifications, including abnormal nail coloring and breakage. It’s not worth it to skip it, even in the interest of time.”

Flick the habit:

• Have you ever looked at your nails after taking off a polish and thought, “Why are my nails yellow?” Well, you’re not alone. Most women don’t realize that when you skip a base coat, you give darker nail polish a chance to seep into the nail bed, affecting the color and health.
• Base coats contain important nutrients that your nails need. Vitamins, minerals, and aloe are common ingredients, and all promote moisture and keep nails from breaking or chipping.
• For purely cosmetic reasons, base coats allow for a more uniform spread of polish when applying, and they give a certain amount of sheen to a manicure. There is no downside, so don’t forget it!

GETTING BUFFER HAPPY

Sometimes, we get a little excited when using our nail tools, and we tend to go a little overboard. One such task that gets taken a little bit too far is buffing. Sure, it seems like there doesn’t really need to be an end to the buffing if the nail is looking shiny and new: but there does. “Lots of women get manicures where buffers are almost overused, and they take that habit home with them. Although buffing keeps nail beds uniform and eliminates any bumps, keep in mind that it also strips nails of their top layer and can contribute to brittleness, so don’t overdo it,” advises Aija.

Flick the Habit:

• Aija doesn’t recommend using buffers too often. Once every month or so is enough to maintain the look of your nails without damaging them. Buffing makes your nails shiny, but it also takes away layers.
• If your nails are stained or yellowing due to mistakes with your top coat, buffing with lemon juice will help to restore the nail’s natural coloring and strip the unwanted hue from your nail bed.
• Always make sure to moisturize before and after your manicures, making sure to apply lotion directly to the nail bed. This prevents breakage and also arms your nails with the best defense against environmental and self-imposed factors.

Aija says, “By following these tips, you’re setting yourself up for healthy, strong nails that are ready for any nail art trend that you can throw at them!”

For more from Aija and information on nail care, visit www.PrettyWomanUSA.com.