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Ask the expert
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Have your hands paid the price for summer fun in the sun, sand and garden? Get them into back-to-business shape in a few easy moves.
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By Janine Falcon
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Preparing your nails
Shape nails with a nail file or an emery board. "File in one direction," says Amanda Barr, an esthetician at EvelineCharles Salons and Spas in Vancouver. "Back-and-forth filing weakens the nail and causes peeling."
Buff the surface of the nails lightly with a buffing tool to smooth ridges and add shine. "Buff only once a month," says Barr. "Too much will cause peeling."
Soak fingers of one hand in a bowl of warm sudsy water for about five minutes then pat away excess moisture. Push cuticles back gently with a cuticle pusher and carefully trim hangnails with cuticle nippers. Repeat process on other hand.
Treat your hands
Massage hands gently and thoroughly with an exfoliating scrub. Rinse, pat dry and work cuticle oil into the cuticles, then follow with a rich hand cream.
Paint and polish
Swipe nail surface with remover-soaked cotton pad to remove cream residue. Apply a thin coat of base coat, which "prevents staining from dark polishes and helps colour stay on longer," says Barr.
Add a thin coat of polish in three strokes: one down the centre of the nail, then one on either side. If desired, do a second coat in the same manner, starting from the first finger again. Finish with a thin layer of topcoat to add shine and protect the colour.
Quick tip
No time for a full manicure job? Here's how to look groomed in minutes.
1. File nail edges into shape.
2. Rinse hands thoroughly and pat most of excess moisture away.
3. Massage cuticle oil into cuticles.
4. Moisturize with hand cream.
5. If you have time, wipe nails with remover, then apply tinted strengthener or ridge filler.
You're done!
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