Pedicure Do's and Don'ts

Last time I posted here tips for a wonderful colored nails. And now, I want to share another tips related to that.

Pedicure Do’s:

• DO schedule your pedicure first thing in the morning. Salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day. If you’re not a morning person, make sure that the salon filters and cleans the foot bath between clients.
• DO bring your own pedicure utensils to the salon. Bacteria and fungus can move easily from one person to the next if the salon doesn’t use proper sterilization techniques.
• When eliminating thick, dead skin build-up, also known as calluses, on the heel, ball and sides of the feet, DO use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub. Soak feet in warm water for at least five minutes then use the stone, scrub or foot file to gently smooth calluses and other rough patches.
• When trimming nails, DO use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of their small, curved shape. See a podiatrist if you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails.
• To smooth nail edges, DO use an emery board. File lightly in one direction without using too much pressure, being sure not to scrape the nail’s surface.
• DO gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean. This helps remove the dirt and build-up you may or may not be able to see.
• DO maintain the proper moisture balance of your feet’s skin by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.
• DO use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles.
• If toenails are healthy, DO use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.

Pedicure Don’ts:

• DON’T shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs may allow bacteria to enter.
• If you are receiving a pedicure and manicure, DON’T use the same tools for both services as bacteria and fungus can transfer between fingers and toes.
• DON’T allow technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection if too much skin is removed.
• DON’T round the edges of your toenails. This type of shape increases the chances that painful ingrown toenails will develop.
• Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread. Since they can’t be sterilized, DON’T share nail files with friends and be sure to bring your own to the salon, unless you are sure that the salon replaces them with each customer.
• DON’T use any sharp tools to clean under nails. Using anything sharp makes it easy to puncture the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.
• DON’T leave any moisture between toes. Anything left behind can promote the development of athlete’s foot or a fungal infection.
• Because cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria, DON’T ever cut them. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection. Also, avoid incessantly pushing back cuticles, as doing so can make them thicker.
• If you suffer from thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection, DON’T apply nail polish to cover up the problem. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail bed to “breathe.” Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists be sure to visit your podiatrist. www.shine.yahoo.com

 So there, enough to remind us the do's and don'ts.

Tips for a Wonderful Colored Nails

How often do you go to beauty salon for a manicure and pedicure? Or do you do it by yourself instead? At least once a month I got my nails done by an expert so that leaves me to do it most of the time.

So how do we get well-polished nails even at home?

• For the flawless French Manicure, use a white nail pencil to line the nail tip from beneath for that pure white clean look instead of white nail polish.
• Do not forget to a weekly hand massage to pamper yourself, increase your circulation and enhance nail growth.
• To make the chip-resistant nail enamels last longer, submerge your freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds.
• While running for the car, you will just need five seconds to put a wide stripe of a quick-drying nail varnish down the center and you are ready to go!
• If your nail polish has chipped to an extent that touchups are of no use, better use the remover rather than trying to hide it under a coat of nail paint that makes the texture of your nails took uneven.
• You may sometimes even get away with cleaning the nails underneath, rubbing on the buffing cream and use chamois buffer for the healthy shine.
• Remember never to file the corner of your nails as it weakens them amd make them brittle.
• Get fashionable and funky by doing your nails in a solid color and allowing them to dry. Then use a toothpick to make a diagonal line across your nails in a different color. More skilled artists can go for more complicated patterns of their own.
• For club night outs or hot dates, try metallic glints; nail piercing, nail tattoos and embellishments. If your nails are not as long as you desire, you can opt for fake nails too.
• A hasty French manicure look can be achieved by using a neutral shade as the base paint and the white shade on the tips of your nails.
• For shimmer and glitter, use a coat of clear gloss or sparkle on your dried nail polish. Silver glitter looks best on dark blue and black shades while gold glitter goes well with red shade. They are the best choices for bridal look or on weddings of near and dear ones and formal wear. http://beauty.iloveindia.com

OK, I hope I can remember all of it or better yet print it as a note. LOL Or maybe, I will just ask some help, *grin*