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May 28, 2012
Healthy nails
Text by April Roque
There's just something about having creativity literally right at the tip of the hand that makes life seem a little bit brighter. |
Whether done at home or at your favorite nail salon, nail pampering—besides makeup—is one of the best ways a woman can feel pretty and pampered. Exhausted? It's nothing that clean, cheerily colored nails can't cure. There's just something about having creativity literally right at the tip of the hand that makes life seem a little bit brighter, especially when it gets too serious.
But, as with everything, too much of something is always bad. Along with the rise in technology came advances in nail technology, too, but there are basics to keep in mind before you get carried away by all the candy-colored, fun nail patterns.
Jacqueline Yeung, Star Nails Asia's Spa and Education Consultant and a professional nail technician for 10 years, shared a couple of tips in one of Beauty Blends Inc.'s training seminars, based on her extensive experience in the nail industry. HerWord.com was there to take some notes:
1. High-quality nail products are not cheap. As always, quality comes at a price, and for nails to be treated well, try to avoid settling for imitations or nail products that are surprisingly (or suspiciously) cheaper than others. Yeung thinks that the surprising affordability of lesser-quality products only renders them unreliable because it means something was sacrificed to lower the cost. Most good-quality nail supplies come from the US, she said, because it's where the nail industry originated. "Personally, it's where I find the most affordable nail products with the best quality," said the professional nail technician.
2. Consider nail art, along with gels and acrylics, makeup for nails. It's very pretty to look at, yes, but it paints a not-so-pretty picture for the nail itself. Yeung said that artificial and overdone nails, like makeup, can be a bit overwhelming (think rhinestones and two coats of polish) and heavy for the nail plate. Such abuse may result in unhealthy, yellowish nails. Instead, try and keep those nails away from too much doodads. "Just be sure to let your nails take a breather every month or so," advised Yeung.
3. There is chemistry involved. One of the most annoying things after a nice nail spa session is the nail polish getting ruined right after you leave the cozy chair; it's happened to all of us—accidentally scraping the still-fresh polish on the gentlest of surfaces. Even though your nails were sprayed or applied with fast-dry chemicals, Jacqueline Yeung has a surefire yet simple way of letting your nails dry faster. "The thing to remember is, the lower the temperature, the faster your nails will dry," she said.
4. Leave major nail issues and injuries to the expert. Yeung emphasized that it's actually best if people leave their nail concerns to the experts. Doing some DIY nail pampering at home can be done occasionally, but serious nail injuries or wounds have to be taken care of by trained professionals."Mending an ingrown nail by yourself, for example, is dangerous and can make matters worse. It's less difficult and much easier for you if it was done by someone, who knows what he or she's doing," Yeung explained.
5. Nails are not useless; they're there for a reason. Finally, the Star Nails representative reminded everyone that nails are not trivial body parts that are only to be painted or get creative with. Finger nails protect the sensitive skin at the end of fingers and toes from being harmed, she said, and they're useful especially when we have to pick up small objects or scratch something. Like hair, skin or any other part of our body, Yeung explained that nails have limits and are not to be abused just for the sake of beauty. "There is still something attractive about seeing clean-cut and natural nails," she said, "after being coated in a bright red shade for a week."
Beauty Blends Inc. is the distributor of Star Nails and Misa nail products, with head offices located at G/F Manhattan Bldg., 920 Banawe Street, Barangay Manresa, Quezon City. For inquiries, call (632) 363-6736 or (632) 363-6739, or email inquiry@beautyblends.com.ph.
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