By: Amanda Padilla
Getting your nails to look like a million bucks does not need to break the bank. Here are some home techniques to get your digits in tiptop shape:
- Scrub off dry skin from your hands by making your own homemade scrub. Use one part brown sugar, one part coconut oil, the juice of two calamansi, and a few drops of peppermint oil. Take a teaspoon and rub all over your hands. The rest of the scrub can be stored for up to two weeks. This is great to use on the rest of your body, too.
- Revive those cuticles by soaking them in warm water with a slice of lemon until the skin gets soft. This usually takes five minutes. Heat up a little olive oil until it is warm then use a cotton ball to spread the warm oil all over the cuticles. Put gloves on and leave for ten minutes.
- Before giving yourself a home manicure, apply petroleum jelly to the skin around the nail. This ensures a perfect manicure without any polish on the skin.
- Have you ever had a problem with nail polish stains? Apply whitening toothpaste on the entire nail and leave on for a few minutes. Use a brush to work the paste on to the nail then rinse off. You’ll be amazed at the results.
- Waiting for nail polish to dry can drive a person mad. Speed up the process by soaking your fingers in ice water for 30 seconds. It won’t be completely dry instantly but it will definitely cut down your wait. Make sure the ice doesn’t graze your nails!
- Mist hairspray on freshly dried nails. This will help make your manicure last longer by fortifying the polish. Hairspray acts as a top coat making it more resistant to cracks and scratches.