Secrets of beautiful hands and nails

Eve Cameron's quick and easy guide to essential hand and nail care to keep them looking great

Hand and nail care should be an essential part of your beauty routine - but it doesn't have to take up lots of your precious time. According to leading nail technician Leighton Denny, few women are blessed with perfect nails.

 

'Childhood nail biting can weaken them longer term,' he explains, 'while lifestyle factors and air conditioning can dehydrate them.' Often though, it's sheer neglect, through lack of time, that leaves nails looking ragged.

The best thing you can do for your nails on a daily basis - which really doesn't take more than 10 seconds - is to massage in a nail oil. This will keep the cuticles in check and nourish the surrounding skin. 'File the edge off the nails once a week too,' says nail technician Marian Newman. 'You don't have to shorten them, just neaten them up. It will help to prevent peeling and snagging.'

 

Another tip is simply to remember your hands and nails while following your skincare routine. So for example if you are exfoliating your face, use a little on your hands and around the nails too. Ditto when you are using a face mask, applying sunscreen or moisturising your skin.

 

Top tips for nails

To keep nails looking good, try these tips from Jessica Vartoughian, creator of the Jessica nail range:

 

1. Never soak the hands in polish remover as it really dries out the nail, and try not to use polish remover more than once in 10 days for the same reason.

2. It's an old wives' tale that nails need to 'breathe'. Keep them polished and they'll be protected.

3. Nails should be trimmed once a month with clippers to promote growth. Think of it like cutting split ends from your hair.

4. When filing your nails, use long strokes from the side to the centre and back, playing the file like a violin rather than a saw.

5. To make a manicure last, paint polish and top coat over the tips and under the nail, if it extends enough. You can also reapply your top coat after two days, followed by a new coat of colour all over the nail the day after.

 

Choosing colour

Very dark shades of deep red or purple that veer to black have been trendy for the past few seasons, which practically makes them a classic in fashion terms. Worn on short nails, these almost Goth shades do look great. And the vamp look is back for autumn/winter 2008, so flaunt those dark shades!

 

If you prefer more natural shades, it's a good time to reconsider the French manicure, with white-tipped ends. On short nails, not long 'Footballers' Wives' style talons, the French manicure is once again chic. If you just want to go for a nude polish, take Marian Newman's advice when choosing the shade and approach nude nail polish as you would foundation. Choose something pinkish if your skin has pink or cool undertones, while if your skin has yellow undertones, flatter it with beige shades.

 

See our favourite products to keep hands and nails looking great