Nail Art Ebook. LaLilliMakeup

can help conceal minor blemishes, but covering isn’t enough. Nail disorders should never be ignored. Healthy nails are strong, smooth, even, and of a uniform light-pink color.

      ● Brittle nails: weak and thin, brittle nails tend to break easily. Brittleness can be due to vitamin and/or mineral deficiency. As we’ve noted, keratin is the main component of nails, but the vitamins, minerals, fats and other elements that make up the smaller portion are important too. A deficiency in any of these can affect texture and thus weaken the nail. Frequent contact with solvents, detergents or other strong substances also causes deterioration, so wear rubber gloves when using them.

      ● Purple or purplish-blue nails: generally in cold weather nails, like lips, assume a purplish-blue hue, indicating poor blood circulation.

      ● Yellow nails: the regular use of dark or low-quality polishes can cause yellowing (so can smoking, so don’t do it!). Always apply a base coat before the colored one.

      ● White spots: white specks that sometimes appear on nails are nothing more than tiny air pockets caused by minor trauma.

      ● Black spots: theses are tiny hemorrhages, the kind that happen when a nail is crushed; if you’ve ever caught your finger in a door, you know what I’m talking about. These spots last a while, but eventually disappear.

      ● White nails: watch out for nail fungus!

      ● Ridged nails: these may indicate calcium deficiency.

      Strong, healthy nails begin with a balanced diet. Magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D all facilitate growth, while vitamin B makes nails stronger. Don’t bite! Bitten nails are unsightly and biting leaves nails vulnerable to infection. Preparations and polishes that are designed to prevent biting can help.

      My advice Prepare a solution of olive oil, onion, garlic or garlic oil, a drop each of vinegar and chili pepper, and spread it on your nails, blotting away any excess.

       Your mouth — and vampires — will remain far from your hands!

      QUICK SOLUTIONS

      for the most common problems

      Slow growth: polishes that accelerate growth are available on the market.

      Brittle nails: stay away from nail polish for several days and moisturize your nails thoroughly. Apply hand cream or shea butter morning and night, and try rubbing in some castor, olive and/or argan oil.

      Splitting nails: avoid frequent manicures and file with a coarse-grained emery board; use acetone-free removers; apply a strengthening base coat over nails that have been rubbed with shea butter.

      Part 2

      OILS AND ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NAILS

      There are many nail products on the market, some fairly expensive, others more affordable; these are convenient, easy to use, and practical. Yet we often forget that nature provides us with terrific ingredients for taking care of our nails and hands, many of which can be found in every home, including olive oil, lemon, castor oil. Let’s look at what they’re good for.

      CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS)

      both a restorative and a wonderful strengthener, is often used in beauty treatments. Rubbing it on nails and applying it to skin helps intensify and maintain hydration.

      OLIVE OIL

      is a natural strengthener whose composition closely resembles that of the sebum emitted by human skin. It’s great for skin and nails, and also makes an amazing cuticle moisturizer.

      COSMETIC ARGAN OIL

      this is an expensive oil, clear in color and extracted from the green berries or fruit of the Argania spinosa plant. The oil is rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, omega-3, omega-6, and essential fatty acids. It nourishes and moisturizes skin and strengthens nails, giving them shine.

      ESSENTIAL GARLIC OIL

      antifungal and a bactericide, applying a small amount can help prevent biting. Don’t use it if you have digestive problems.

      ESSENTIAL LEMON OIL

      is drawn from the fruit of the Citrus limonum and is great for nails that are prone to peeling. It is an essential oil, and it’s better to use it in very small amounts. When applying it to nails, always dilute with another oil (olive, argan, or castor). The lemon has natural fortifying powers. Be careful: essential lemon oil is photo-sensitive and should not be applied before exposure to the sun or a tanning lamp.

      Part 3

      BASIC TOOLS

      There are plenty of manicure tools on the market but you need to know which ones are best suited to your needs. Files are essential; you should always keep one in your purse for emergencies, but….. which kind should you choose?

      Files are made from various materials

      1 PAPER: this is the most common type, cheap and easy to find. It comes in all types, colors, and shapes (square, half-moon, long, etc.) It’s easily manufactured, which allows companies to make small and purse-sized versions that can be kept in a bag for quick touch-ups. It’s available in different grains, from super-fine to super-coarse, and is practical, convenient, light, and flexible; it conforms quite well to the shape of the nail, making filing relatively easy. The disadvantage of this type of file is that it cannot be washed, as any contact with water will ruin it.

      2 METAL: these are durable, easy to clean and handle, perfect for strong, healthy nails, but not advisable for brittle ones.