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Give yourself the royal treatment
The quest for beautiful nails goes back as far as civilization or at least to the point of free time and disposable income. Archeological digs in the royal tombs of Ur in southern Babylonia turned up a manicure kit made of solid gold. The tools in that ancient kit were just like the ones we use today (except for the royal signet and jeweled-encrusted handles): a nail clipper, a file, and a cuticle stick. As any Babylonian queen will tell you -- whether you spend your time inspecting the hanging gardens, lunching with royalty, or just waving to the commoners -- the more you use your fingers, the more important it is to care for your nails.
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The Whole Kit and Caboodle
- At a minimum, your manicure kit should include a fingernail clipper, a toenail clipper, a more delicate tool for trimming hangnails and cuticles, and several varieties of nail files, from fine to coarse.
- Some other implements you may want to include in your kit:
- Orangewood stick: for cleaning under the nail, pushing back cuticles, and removing stubborn bits of polish.
- Nail stone: to smooth out edges after filing and lift off cuticle that has grown onto the nail
- Chamois buffer: to help smooth out ridges and shine bare nails
- Nail brush: to keep nails clean, slough off dead skin, and help prevent cuticles from sticking to fingernails
- While not for nail care, you should include a pair of tweezers, too. They're not only great for shaping eyebrows, but they're better than using fingernails for those tasks that can split or chip your nails.
Facts on Files
- Emery boards are inexpensive and easy to carry in a purse or briefcase. They're best reserved for nails of at least average strength. Use the darker side for shaping and the lighter for smoothing edges. Buy several because they tend to get worn very quickly.
- Cushioned files have a layer of foam between two abrasive surfaces so they're flexible and therefore gentle on the nails. Many have two different grits; some even have four. Round versions are particularly good for smoothing edges.
- Metal files are coated with an abrasive surface usually made of ground gemstones like sapphires or diamonds. They're a good all-around choice and tend to last quite awhile.
True Grits
- For most nails, a fine grit is best. If your nails are especially strong, or if you have the artificial variety, medium might be better. Coarse grits should be reserved for artificial nails and fine-tuning of toenails after clipping.
Filing Tips
- Since water softens nails, wait at least one-half hour after a bath or washing dishes before filing.
- Tilt the file back slightly to bevel the edge of the nail toward the fingertip.
- Work in one direction at a time instead of using a sawing motion.
- To minimize splits, don't file way down on the sides. Instead let nails grow out straight for about one-sixteenth of an inch.
Just for Fingernails
Regular filing is the best approach to maintaining nail length and shape. But when things get out of hand or a nasty break requires some pre-file shaping, you'll need nail clippers or scissors. It's harder to injure yourself with clippers, but scissors can give you a more accurate cut.
Especially for Cuticles
- Be careful here. Cuticles protect the nail roots from infection and hacking away at them is not a good idea. Regular moisturizing and gentle brushing should keep them in good shape and help prevent hangnails, which are made of built-up cuticle.
- A cuticle trimmer is a dual-purpose tool that's easy on the cuticles. One end is wedge-shaped to push back cuticles, while the other is a sharp, V-shaped edge for trimming. Use after a bath or brushing when cuticles are soft.
- Cuticle scissors and nippers trim hangnails and ragged bits of cuticle. Don't use them to dig under cuticle that's become stuck to the nail -- push it back with the blunt end of the cuticle trimmer.
Tools for Toenails
- Poor shaping is a major cause of ingrown toenails, an often painful condition where the nails curve inward and dig into the flesh rather than growing straight out. Cut toenails straight across instead of rounding off the edges to avoid risk.
- For trimming, you have your choice of scissors, clippers, or nippers. Choose the one that's most comfortable for you. For especially thick, tough toenails, spring-action nippers may be the best choice.
- Once you've trimmed your toenails, use a coarse file to smooth any rough edges.
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Appropriate Uses
Chamois buffer
Enhances the shine of natural nails.
Coarse-grit file
Shapes and shortens toenails and artificial nails.
Cuticle trimmer
Trims and pushes back cuticles.
Emery board
Shapes, shortens, and smoothes natural nails.
Fine-grit file
Shapes, shortens, and smoothes natural nails.
Nail clipper
Clips and trims natural nails.
Nail scissors
Cuts natural and artificial nails.
Nail stone
Smoothes the edges of nails after filing.
Orangewood stick
Pushes back cuticles.
Ridge sander
Sands and smoothes heavy, rough ridges on the surface of nails.
The Nuts and Bolts of Nails
- Be careful not to clip cuticles and nails too closely; you may cause infection.
- When filing nails, always file in the same direction rather than sawing back and forth to prevent damage to nails.
- Since water softens nails, wait at least 30 minutes after a bath or doing the dishes before filing.
- Discard emery boards when they become worn.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
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