Linda's Nails

August Special: Bring in a friend and take 20% off of your nails.

Gentleman Need Pampering Too... Gone are the days where manicures are a luxury just for women! Whether you indulge in a professional manicure or do one yourself at home, regular hand and nail maintenance is a grooming necessity. Your hands are often involved in making a first impression, and implementing a regular hand and nail care regimen will help make the best first impression possible.... Aside from keeping your hands looking their best, they will also feel much better. Regular use of lotion, for example, can help prevent painful cracking and bleeding, particularly during the winter months when the air is dry. The Bare Minimum If you’re at a loss for time, or simply don’t want to waste time on your hands, at least make the effort to regularly (i.e., daily) take care of your nails. Keep them short and clean underneath the tips. You can purchase a nailbrush for minimal cost at any drug store. Simply brush the tips of your fingers to remove dirt from under the nail. Also, brush across the tops of your nails. Additional Care The skin on your hands can become dry and rough very easily. Those who use their hands a lot may also develop tough calluses. To remove calluses, use a pumice stone or other tool designed for callus removal. Be careful not to remove too much skin, as this can be painful, but do try to remove as much of the buildup as possible. Follow this with a quality moisturizer. Some are specifically designed for men or for dryer skin, if this is a problem. Once a week, exfoliate the skin on your hands. There are products available for this purpose, or you can use a simple home remedy. Combine white sugar granules to a moisturizer and gently rub your hands together for a minute or so, then wash your hands and re-moisturize. This will remove dead skin cells that make your skin appear dull. Extra Additional Care Another option to consider is cuticle care. While maintaining your cuticles may seem girly, it can help prevent painful tears. Choose a product designed to remove or soften cuticles. These are applied to the cuticle and then the skin is pushed back using a small stick designed for this purpose. It only takes a few minutes, and the difference in your hands’ appearance can be striking. Finally, consider lightly buffing your nails to give them a slight shine. The look isn’t as noticeable as a clear nail polish, but the added shine gives a polished look to your hands. Look for a nail buffer in the nail care section of the drug store. This tool is used to rub lightly the top of the nail, which creates a shine. It’s very easy to do. If you’re in the mood for an indulging treat, consider a professional manicure. Not only will your hands look great, but it feels great as well. Manicures come complete with hand massage and full nail care, and more and more men are taking advantage of this simple luxury.

Shape Up "Women often ask what the most flattering nail shape is: round or square? For the prettiest look, follow the natural shape of the base of your nail, where it meets the cuticle. If the line is more curved, then round nails are best. If the line is straighter with only a slight bend at the corners, go with square nails."

Protect Your Polish "If you do your nails before a summer vacation, take a bottle of UV-protecting top coat on the trip with youespecially if you're headed to the beach. Exposure to the sun (as well as sand and salt water) dulls polish, but if you apply the top coat every day, your color will stay bright and shiny for your entire trip." Donna Perillo, owner of Sweet Lily Natural Nail Spa in New York City

Take biotin supplements In several studies researchers found that biotin supplements (a member of the B vitamin family) increased nail thickness and prevented splitting and breaking. In one German study of 71 people with severe nail problems, 2.5 mg of Biotin daily for several months benefited everyone in the study with 91% citing significant improvement. Results are apparent in about two to three weeks.