Ive found that i've developed a slight obsession with cuticle oil. I wash my hands a lot throughout the day and find that even if I apply lotion on afterward, the area around my nails, becomes very dry, prone to hang nails, cracked looking, and just down right ugly! So after I wash my hands I apply a cuticle oil and then I apply a hand & nail lotion to further seal in the moisture.
Did you know?
The cuticle is actually DEAD skin? It should be removed during manicures/pedicures to make sure that nail polish and/or acrylic application has a clean surface to adhere to. If it is not properly removed, it can cause your acrylic to lift and your polish will not last as long. Its also the ONLY thing that should be clipped during a manicure or pedicure. NEVER let a nail tech cut the actual skin that is a the base of your nail. This is called the eponychium, and removing could leave your nails wide open for infection. It will grow back, however, thicker and tougher.
EDUCATION: During a manicure, the eponychium is gently pushed back, exposing the non-living cuticle. The eponychium is the skin that lies directly on top of the newly developing nail plate. It is living tissue and often times get mistaken for cuticle. Eponychium should never be cut because it will grow back thicker and tougher, almost like scar tissue, as it is trying to protect itself from the nippers. Normally, the uppermost visible part of the eponychium has the appearance of normal healthy skin.
Pic from NSI Nails
First Thing First:
If you plan on making your own cuticle oil for at home use, there are a few things you should know. #3 and #4 also go for if you choose to purchase a brand name cuticle oil.
- Store your oil in an air tight container
- If you are the only one using your cuticle oil, you can store it in a nail polish bottle and apply the same as you would nail polish.
- If you are sharing your cuticle oil or applying to others nails, DO NOT apply with a brush. You want to store your oil in a dropper bottle and DO NOT let the dropper touch your or anyone else's nails.
- Cuticle oils are not self disinfecting like nail polish, alcohol, or nail polish remover. Once your dropper or brush touches nails and you stick the dropper or brush back into the bottle, you have just contaminated your ENTIRE bottle of cuticle oil with bacteria.
- **Keep this in mind when in nail salons. DO NOT allow your nail tech to brush on your cuticle oil. For acrylic nails, cuticle oil is usually applied to your nails after the nails are applied, filed, and buffed. Right before they have you wash your hands.**
- Another way to store cuticle oil, is to store it in a bottle that has a cork and use a NEW cotton swab to apply it to your nails. **DO NOT DOUBLE DIP** Use one side the for the left hand and the other side for the right hand!
I found this bottle on Amazon.com for $1.38. It even has a space to write in the name of your oil, and the formula you used!
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| http://www.amazon.com/Franken-Juggs-Easy-Fill-Polish-Bottle/dp/B004WD32T2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320612905&sr=8-1 |
Nail Growth Cuticle Oil
1 part Jojoba Oil
1 part Tee Tree Oil
1/2 part Vitamin E Oil
8 drops of your favorite Essential Oil for fragrance (more than one EO can be used)
Nail Strengthening Cuticle Oil
1 part Vitamin E Oil
1/2 part Jojoba Oil
8 drops of your favorite Essential Oil for fragrance
Anti-Aging Cuticle Oil
1 part Jojoba Oil
1/2 part Patchouli Oil
1/2 part Rose Oil
1/4 part Vitamin E Oil
1/4 part Vitamin A Oil
Apply Cuticle oil to your nails several times a day, preferably 2-3 times or after every time you wash your hands, as I do. Apply one drop or brush onto your entire nail, remembering to also apply to your eponychium. (remember this from earlier? lol) Massage on to your nail for a few seconds.
I hope you found this information helpful!
Until next time KiWi Babies.....SMOOCHES!!
