Nail Grooming

[Asha]

How do you take care of your nails and hands at home? What products do you find help you? What is your routine? Also, this could include pedi products too.

I did a search and didn't find one on this exact topic.

[tlew12778]

I remove old polish, then shower. I cut them after I get out of the shower so they don't snap off. Then I file, buff, rinse, and do 2 layers of nailtiques. If I am using a color, now's the time to add it. After that, I do a top coat of nailtiques.

I normally don't wear color so I am usually running around with just 2 coats of nailtiques. I re-apply every 2 days or so. Once it starts peeling, I start all over.

For my toes, I do much less. I clip, file, do a base coat in clear (bc otherwise the color always ends up in my cuticles when I take it off), then do two coats of a color. I rarely ever buff or use a top coat.

[Ki Ki Marcus]

For my fingers I just clip, file and buff. (Use thos 3 or 4 sided little things that help straighten the nail bed and shine it up.) No color or even clear coat of any kind. I do this about every week or so.

For my toes, I'm on a strict 2 week scehdual. I remove polish, shower, do a foot scrub, clip, put on a clear base coat (to keep my nails from turning yellow over time due to constant nail color use), 2 coats of OPI, and a shiny top coat, then moisturize and use the moisture booties.
(I also moisturize using the little booties 2 to 3 times a week.)

[Asha]

kiki - could you tell me what are moisture booties? where did you get your's?

tlew - i rarely wear color on my fingernails as it usually chips in one day even with a prof'l manicure.

[tlew12778]

Oh... I am interested in those too. Do you mean the Sephora ones? I always look at them everytime I am there but I never want to spring for it bc I don't know if they work.

[Daisy]

My routine ~

Nails - every week I file them, push back my cuticles (I use cuticle cream too) and I paint them with a couple of coats of clear nail hardner.

Toes - I get a pedi every couple of weeks or so when needed. I also use a pumice stone in the shower everyday.

[Secret_Squirrel]

I bought my mositure foot booties at Rite Aid. I used to slather my feet in shea butter and wear them to bed.

Then they got seperated in the wash and I only have one at a time, now.

[Asha]

hmmmm...rite aid....i could get a discount on those then.

so you just put some sort of heavy duty moisturizer on your feet and then wear the booties. i assume you wash them in between uses.

greenbunny i am lol thinking of you going to bed with one booty. how sexy!!!

[Asha]

daisy - what does cuticle cream do? i have noticed the winter has been harsh on my fingers and am wondering if this would help my cracked cuticles.

[Ki Ki Marcus]

I got my booties at Bath and Body Works. I got feet booties and ones for the hands, as well.

I really like the Shea It Isn't So foot cream from B&BW. It's really rich and absorbes well. I use it in my hand gloves when my hands look bad, too. (Since you were mentioning that you have cracked cuticles.)

[looch]

In the winter, I apply A&D ointment to my cuticles before bed. I typically keep my nails polish free because I am very hard on my hands, and can't stand chipped polish. I just clip and file after a shower. I typically don't get pedicures in the winter to give my nails a chance to grow out, although, if we are going on a beach vacation, I do splurge. I use one of those pedicure scrubbies that I bought in a beauty supply store to keep my feet smooth.

In the summer, I get pedicures about every 3 weeks. I use only nude or pale pink opaque colors.

[KK812]

I just did my nails tonight for easter. Pedi-soak feet, pumice, lotion, clip/file nails, cuticle cream/cut, base coat, 2 color coat(right now, pale purple), top coat. Mani-cut, file, buff, clear coat. I keep my nails(fingers AND toes, you french pedi lovers :p) really short. I try to take care of my nails once a week, pumice daily, and do my toes every 2 weeks. I get professional pedis only once in a while b/c i can do just as good a job.

[maxandmolly]

For my toes, my all time favorite treat to myself is a pedicure. Doesn't matter how often I go though, I *never* can get rid of the cracks in my heel. But I love to be pampered, fussed over, and I cannot, for the life of me, paint my own toes. Also, I have a terrible habit of ripping (not biting, ripping) them down as far as humanly possible, if not more, and when I actually spend money on them, I don't do it. Didn't spend money just to ruin 'em!
I type too much to bother with my hands. I had fake nails around this time last year for a wedding, and couldn't type worth a shit with the things.

[Heidi9771]

For all of you who have really dry calloused feet, I wanted to share my little secret...Philosophy's "Soul Owner" foot cream. I don't think I can live without it! It really helps in between pedicures and improves the action of my foot pumice in the shower. Love it and recommend it to all my friends...warning though..this stuff is a strong exfoliator!

http://www.philosophy.com/wcsstore/philosophy/images/product/large/prodlg_00550111.jpg

[Kate&Joey]

Hands: Don't do much other than clip/file whenever they get too long or one nail breaks (to even out the rest). I should probably spend more time on my hands, but like a PP poster mentioned, I hate chips so I don't bother painting my fingers anymore.

Feet: In the spring/summer/fall, usually give myself a pedicure every two weeks. Base coat, two coats of color, top coat. I use a wide spectrum of colors...nude, pale gold, terra cotta, and deep chocolate. Sometimes I use red, but I like the more unusual colors. Love painted toes!

Pretty Feet Tip: I use the Body Shop's Peppermint Foot Lotion at least every other day. When I get out of the shower, I slather it on my feet/toes/ankles and put on regular cotton socks. So, when I'm doing my makeup and hair, my feet are getting some intensive moisturizing.