Okay, so as promised, I've put together some of my top tips for longer and stronger nails! I've also combined this post with tips for better looking hands too, considering you can't have one without the other and vice versa. Superficial? Uhuh. Nevertheless, if you're craving the juxtaposition of silky-soft hands and killer talons, read on...
5 NAIL CARE TIPS
Combine trimming and filing - Similar to our hair, nails need to be regularly managed to avoid weakening and breaking. In between trims, I lightly file my nails every few days. Also, to ensure less awkward tears and snags, try switching squared-nails for a 'softened' version by slightly rounding the edges (as shown in photos)
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Base and top coats - Both are essential for nail health/appearance. A decent top coat ensures better wear and therefore less regular use of nail polish remover (which can dry out your nails). I'm a huge fan of Jessica Nails' Top Priority Top Coat
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Vitamins and supplements - There's plenty of information straight from experts available online, however three I've been taking for many years are Zinc, Folic Acid and Biotin (Vitamin H). Biotin is particularly useful as it specifically promotes the growth of nails and hair - personally, I take MultiBionta by Seven Seas. Tablet forms of Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) are available, however you'll also most likely have access to an abundance of it right now, as fish, cheese and red meat are all high in Folic Acid!
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Avoid soaking your nails - Cover your hands as often as possible when coming into contact with water, for example when washing up. Be sure to thoroughly dry the underneath of your nails after washing your hands/showering too - an area often forgotten and left damp!
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Give them the princess treatment - Sadly, lying on a chaise longue all day as you're fed a bunch of grapes isn't (always) possible. So, as your nails grow to a longer length, don't be tempted to use them as substitutes for your fingers by relying on them to open packages or pick up small objects. Though, picking up a cube of jelly a day is allowed, as it's rumoured to be an effective (and rather tasty) nail strengthener!
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Time to move onto the hands! Genetics play a decent role on this front, particularly with regard to finger length, however there's still a lot that can be done to improve their appearance. Such as... not shoving your hand into a bunch of roses and scratching up your middle finger on thorns, oops!
5 HAND CARE TIPS
Cuticles - If needed, cuticles can be gently pushed back using a soft-tipped pusher. However, avoid cutting them as this can open the door to infection/irritation
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Hand over the shovel - Simply put, do as little with your hands as possible. Easier said than done? Of course! However, small lifestyle adjustments on this front can go a long way. For example, one of my changes includes wearing palm-grip gloves when lifting (albeit very light) weights. Speaking of weights, arm exercises that involve lifting will simultaneously help shape the muscles in your hands/fingers!
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Sun damage - Treat your hands as you do your face when exposed and use sun protection
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Lotions & potions - There are so, so many options available when in comes to skincare/hand creams, therefore you're best deciding on budget, scent and preference before you begin searching. Personally, I'm forever variating my hand creams, though most often revisiting products by Clarins and L'Occitane
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Identify the problems - 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure', after all! Check out the ingredients of the soap you use at home/work to see whether it could be contributing to dryness. Have you been wearing gloves throughout this past chilly season? Is it time to exfoliate?
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With love,
Gabrielle x
Great tips Gabrielle and gorgeous photos as always! Gemma x
ReplyDeletewww.jacquardflower.uk
Really helpful, thank you for sharing! I think your blog is lovely, let me know if you would like to follow each other!
ReplyDeleteadelelydia.blogspot.com
I never thought to get some supplements for nails.These are so helpful tips Gabrielle. Have a wonderful weekend ahead. xx
ReplyDeleteNina
http://www.ninasstyleblog.com
I agree about sun protection for hands, I never ever thought of it until a month or so ago. Now I even apply serum and moisturizer on the back on my hands to care for it.
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
Your nails are simply phenomenal. And oh how I wish lying on a chaisse longue all day was acceptable!
ReplyDeletexx lacoconoire.com
I love these tips; your nails are so gorgeous! I find that applying an oil like argan oil to my cuticles help keep them moisturized as well!
ReplyDeletexo, alice / T Y P E N U
I love this post Gabrielle !!! i am always looking for more hand care tips :) BTW your hands very pretty :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ambiinwonderland.com
My nails have been breaking a lot recently so I found this post really helpful! I definitely need to give them some TLC. Love your nail varnish as well, and your ring! x
ReplyDeleteGeorgina | Rent or Chanel?
I definitely need some supplements as my nails are in a dire state, thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteYou always have amazing nails and I wondered how you do it!
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed the 5th nail tip :)
Thanks for this! I am going to start taking biotin for my nails (and also the post-pregnancy hair shedding that's currently happening, yikes!) Thanks for sharing the brand you use!
ReplyDeleteI've recently been thinking of ditching my acrylic nails and trying to grow my natural ones so this post has come at the perfect time for me! :) I love the sparkly blue manicure too which I'll have to try and recreate :) x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful nails!
ReplyDeletehttp://carinazz.blogspot.com.ee/
Amazing tips! Sadly I could not grow my nails, cause if I will again work in the hosp. nails are trimmed for sanitation.
ReplyDelete~ Styleccentric Fashion' | BLOGLOVIN
xo, Alyssa
Awesome tips! I always use base+top coat and moisturise my hands, especially in the colder months.
ReplyDeletexo
http://www.carinavardie.com
What a brilliant post ! I'm awful at looking at my nails because I just didn't know how . But I really want to get them looking good for summer and I'll defiinitely be using these tips especially taking Multibionta because I also have trouble growing my hair so that sounds perfect :) I'm also going to try and pick myself up a good hand lotion and use it regarly :)
ReplyDeletelots of love, Marianne xxx
http://myhappybubblexx.blogspot.co.uk/
I used to really struggle with my nails but after giving them some TLC they're now really healthy and looking a lot better. Personally I struggle with dry hands because I do so much with my hands that requires me to wash them often. Hand cream is definitely my best friend!
ReplyDeletewww.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Base and top coat is absolutely important and you always have such pretty nails design. x
ReplyDeletehttp://birdiethgirl.blogspot.com
Great tips dear and your hands are beautiful. I apply a transparent coat always before applying any nail paint :)
ReplyDeletehttp://perkymegs.com/
Hello Gaby, Great post, thanks for your top tips for longer and stronger nails!
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, this is not superficial. We should always do at least one thing for ourselves to feel pretty. I strongly think women should always pamper themselves.
Sweetie, I have to admit that I don't like your sparkly blue nail polish ;-) But you have beautiful sexy hands.... Oh and I adore those roses...Have a happy Sunday
omigosh your nails are too pretty! I always use a top coat before applying any colours on them ^^
ReplyDeleteYour hands and nails are wonderful, great tips !!!
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion & beauty blog
Wow, these are really cute photos. I love your nails and the photography is really great!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
SHAIRA // Dentistry Night 2016
great tips! such a very informative post and i found it very helpful! thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeletexx Jamie | With Love, Jamie
This is such a helpful Gabrielle and those photographs are gorgeous too as are your nails! x
ReplyDeletefashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips, Gabrielle. My nails have recently become really brittle so I;m definitely going to follow your advice.
ReplyDeletewww.mydailywear.co.uk
very sensible advice! I enjoyed reading your tips for stronger and healthier nails and hands. I do agree that top coat is important but somehow I never remember to put it on....but you're absolutely right. The less polish remover we use, the better. In addition, I think it is essential that we wear gloves when we're doing the dishes or any kind of washing and cleaning in our home. Most detergents contain many harmful chemicals, so wearing gloves is really important. My nails are not in a good state, I must admit. They're really thin...they might look cool (today a friend asked me to open a candy for her son, but my nails were of no use at all, so I failed at that task) but they are not strong at all. However, they always seem to improve when Spring arrives and they're in top shape during Summer ( it seems like the sea actually makes them stronger, I'm not sure is that makes sense but maybe sea is different than regular water and really I have this feeling that swimming makes them better). Your nails always look perfect btw! I love this manicure of yours.
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Superficial, perhaps. Necessary, very. We take religious care of our face and neck, but often forget the hands which are quite possibly the first places where age begins to show up :) I love all your tips (ha, pun intended), and need to treat my hands with more TLC. I'm guilty of often being too lazy to moisturise them before bed so that's something I need to address. I do think it's the supplements I've been taking all this while which has somewhat saved them. Three other supplements I'd add to your list are Magnesium, Calcium as well as Collagen. They're livesavers!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I definitely need to take more of my hands and nails, I aaaalways get horrible awkward snags and tears in my nails - so painful! Thanks for the tips :) Immy x
ReplyDeletewww.immymay.com
Avoid soaking your nails is such an important one - my nails have recently become really brittle due to how often I've had my hands submerged in water. You know when they kind of split half way down the layers and one bends up whilst one bends up? I've been trying to fix the bending damage that the water did. Sucks >_<
ReplyDeleteAmy;
Little Moon Elephant
Such an amazing post! Love the images. Have an amazing new week.
ReplyDeleteStyle For Mankind
Facebook
Bloglovin
Is it bad all I can think about when I see your nails is how frozen-inspired they seem? Gorgeous! I definitely agree that hand care and nail care go, uh hand in hand! Think I'd find it quite difficult to avoid doing things with my hands though!
ReplyDeleteMusings & More
Beautiful work, love it. :)
ReplyDeletewww.kangkanrabha.com
Oh your nails are beautiful! I love the colour you painted them!
ReplyDeletehttps://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com
Great tips. Your nails look lovely. Blue is definately your colour.
ReplyDeletewww.theglossychic.com
Perfect nails! x.
ReplyDeleteThe Fashion Spell
Beautiful nails !! <3
ReplyDeleteSuper helpful tips! I usually don't have issues growing my nails out but I have problems with keeping the length once it's grown. That's usually when breakage comes and double nails etc.
ReplyDelete-M
www.violetroots.com/blog
Your nails are simply perfect Gabrielle!! I'm so jealous :) I think that this is also a "natural" things.. I have very brittle nails; and also my mom and my sister! xx
ReplyDeleteaishettina.blogspot.it
Great nail care tips. I am loving that fabulous shade of blue.
ReplyDeleteLaToya
www.toyastales.blogspot.com
Some really helpful tips - thank you! Also, the roses are gorgeous! Xx
ReplyDeletehttp://www.itsjessiejane.com/
Your nails are gorgeous and I love these tips!
ReplyDeletexx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Great tips. You do have beautiful nails!
ReplyDeleteHeba xx || The Heba
That twinkly blue color is so charming and perfect for this time of year. You have such nice hands Gabrielle! My nails actually grow pretty quickly despite my not doing much to encourage them and I kind of wish they didn't since I use my hands too much for work and housework to have long nails.
ReplyDeleteThese tips are so great, thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeletewww.elizabethangelia.blogspot.com
said...
ReplyDeleteGreat tips dear! Thank you for sharing! Your nails looks so beautiful! Love the colour!
Hugs, Pisa ❤
www.inlovewithmyclothes.com
Great tips! My nails are very problematic just lately (which is very annoying!) so this post could not have come at a better time for me! Your nails look amazing too, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHayley-Eszti | www.hayleyeszti.com
Great tips! I think for me, I have got to stop with the biting and peeling off with nail polish!
ReplyDelete7% Solution
What a fab post! I am always blown away by how perfect your hands and nails are and this glitzy blue shade certainly does your nails justice. I need to work on my hands a bit more- I should check the ingredients in soaps, cleaning ingredients etc as you said as my hands seem to react easily
ReplyDeleteRachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
This could be totally weird, but I always admire your hands and nails in your photos. I do realize that sounds really creepy, but you seriously always have such beautiful nails. Totally envious! Perfect post!
ReplyDeleteMallory // Perhaps Bananas
I love these tips Gabrielle! My hands and nails are very familiar with the 'princess treatment' and I refuse to wash dishes or soak my hands in water without proper gloves. Some may think this is high maintenance but I swear it saves my nails from being so brittle!
ReplyDeleteX
Anjelique
http://www.anjelique.com.au | snapchat: anjeliquetv
Beautiful nails! Love these tips and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Love from www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
thanks for this! i honestly haven't paid much attention to my nails. the last time i polished them was probably over a year ago. thanks for the reminder to keep these fingers lovely!
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to apply sun protection for my nails, thanks for all these useful tips!
ReplyDeletePrudence
www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Fantastic tips doll, you have super nails :)) x
ReplyDeleteJust a gorgeous manicure! Fantastic tips from an expert! Thanks for writing these for us
ReplyDeleteHttp://leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
Love your manicure Gabrielle! ! Your hands are so pretty! Great tips! When I lived up north here in the usa. I loved using Mary Kays satin hands in winter. Soooo awesome.
ReplyDeleteI have started growing mine a little rounder (just like you mentioned, hon) rather than my usual "square" shape. I still find it difficult to keep the length as they are so brittle. Also, obviously doing all the housework by myself leads to more breaking + lack of vitamins (I'm assuming because my hair feels it too). Biotin sounds great! Thanks for fantastic tips and it's just a delight to look at your lovely nails :)
ReplyDeletexox Nadia
http://www.mielandmint.com/
Oh, I did need this! Thank you girl. Even us short-nail wearers need to take care of our hands <3
ReplyDeletewww.MARINASAYS.com
You hands and those blue nails are beautiful! I wish I could "hand over the shovel." I do so much with my hands that they end up so dry and wrinkled. I probably should try to wear gloves more. These are great tips!
ReplyDelete~Lili
www.thefashionsalt.com
Thanks a lot for all those great tips! My nails are so weak and the skin around my nails so hard it's really really annoying. I try to moisturize them as much as I can but still not easy :/
ReplyDeleteYour nails are always perfect ♥
Totally needed those tips :P
ReplyDeleteThe Cutielicious
http://www.thecutielicious.com
Federica
Amazing nail art! Thanks for these tips <3
ReplyDeletekisses
Francesca
Beautiful manicure Gabrielle. My nails actually grow quite fast, but I don't like long nails, I have semi-long nails, probably slightly longer than sport length. I use supplements with my daily vitamins, protein-rich with gelatin in it. <3
ReplyDeleteI really need to start following some of these tips!
ReplyDeleteBlog: http://fiftyshadesofpink.blogs.sapo.pt/
Instagram: @sarafqueiros
great tips.. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAmazing nails and tips! Gorgeous pictures!! =D
ReplyDeleteNEW POST on http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/
xoxo,
Jessica
Hahaha I loved your tips on the princess treatment! These are all fabulous pictures and tips--I need to really get my manicure game set! <3
ReplyDeletewww.SHVETA.com
beautiful ♥
ReplyDeleteThe White Print Blog
CGrabowska's Instagram
Loving your nail polish!! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteDora www.bangsbang.com
i think i've really gotta start using base and top coats. i think my nail polish would last MUCH longer. it's so annoying that they always chip so fast http://www.fionnac.com
ReplyDeleteReally great tips thank you so much! I really neglect my hands and my nails so I've been looking for tips on how to treat them a little bit better. (Plus your polish is so cute)
ReplyDeleteI've just stumbled across your blog today but I will definitely be coming back it's great!
www.parisahashempour.com/
This is such a great post, Gabrielle, and I can't think of anyone more qualified for giving these tips other than you! You always have such beautiful nails and your hands always look so soft and supple. Thanks so much for sharing these incredibly helpful tips, and I hope you're having a great start to your week so far, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jalisa
www.thestylecontour.com
Your nails are so pretty, and these tips are awesome! I actually JUST read another post on growing and maintaining long nails although it's ironic considering I just cut everything off two days ago hah. Typing on my laptop and phone with long nails is such a pain for me, but I do love the way they look!
ReplyDeleteSam | http://mybeautycloud.com
Wow Wow Wow, your nails look fabulous Gabrielle #nailgoals haha. I love the tips and will definitely take these tips on board, p.s your ring is so pretty ♥
ReplyDeletetipscapsule.blogspot.com
My hands will thank you for this, Gabrielle. Very useful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and have a blessed week.
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
These tips are so good!!! :D
ReplyDeletexoxo
Novelstyle
Beautiful photos, and I love these tips! Very creative xx
ReplyDeleteJac Fleurant
www.herwearabouts.com
I use hand moisturizer everyday to keep them nice and soft! Just have to stop biting my nails now...
ReplyDeletehttp://thecourtneydiaries.com
so stunning!! :D no wonder your hands/nails look nice!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Animated Confessions
Great tips!! I actually don't really take care of my nails like I should but they always seem to be healthy and strong and people have complimented them my whole life. With that being said, I probably should take better care of them.
ReplyDeleteFlorals&Smiles
Looking great, and it is a good tips but lazy I am to do all that lol
ReplyDeleteYou have fab nails and I love the glittery nail polish you applied on them! Thanks for sharing with us your nail / hand care tips :)
ReplyDeletexoxo, Aldora
Aldora Muses – A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog | Instagram
Thanks for the useful info. I've been looking into taking supplements for nails and hair. My nails can be so brittle especially at the edges.
ReplyDeleteXoXo Noma
Amazing Nail arts. You have some beautiful hands dear :D
ReplyDeleteXx Blue Ducklings
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
Ah, some truly wonderful tips :) There are also certain foods you can eat that strengthen nails, those high in calcium :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pret-a-reporter.co.uk/blog
I think I've mentioned before that I'm useless when it comes to nailcare just because, well, I don't really care? And also, it's impossible for me to grow long fingernails because I'm a performing musician, so long, lethal nails are a no go. Your nails look amazing, though, Gabrielle!
ReplyDeleteMAY | WWW.THEMAYDEN.COM
Gabrielle, these are great tips, though I don't personally need them, for two reasons (one of which is quite amusing!): 1. I was blessed in the fingernail department and my nails grow like weeds and never break. 2. I had perfect fingernails with a perfect manicure (I did them myself just once a week) from age 13 to 23. Then (and here is the amusing part) on my honeymoon, my husband told me he didn't like nail polish or long fingernails; so I cut them off and have kept them short and unpolished ever since (my choice)!
ReplyDeleteYour nails always look so good! Thanks so much for the tips!
ReplyDeleteAsh | Liakada
Your hands and your nails are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLa Flò ♡ blog
I have to put on gloves when washing up... Five smart tips :)))
ReplyDeletexoxo
www.bellezzefelici.blogspot.com
You hands and nails do look like a princess' hands, with or without that lovely fairy-esque mani. <3 Thanks for sharing your tips with us, I believe in the importance of proper care of our hands and nails because they're inevitably visible and they say a lot about our personal care. I should definitely remember not soaking my nails, oops!
ReplyDeletexx
www.stylebydeb.com
Great tips! I need to seriously pay attention to my nails more, so these ideas are really helpful! Also I'm loving your nail art...gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehttp://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
Great tips!
ReplyDeletexx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
You always have really lovely nails! I need to try making my nails slightly rounder as I find the corners sometimes break which is so annoying! And good shout for top coats, I need to find mine :) xx
ReplyDeleteSo pretty nails :3 I love this blue!!!
ReplyDeleteI like you blog :)
Maybe we can follow each other?
My blog: http://worldismagiiic.blogspot.fr/
I'm definitely going to take your advice, because you have BEAUTIFUL nails!!!:)
ReplyDeletewww.jboomsroom.blogspot.ca
Thanks for sharing your secrets behind your beautiful hands and nails:) I usually have to keep my nails short when I'm at the hospital, and the hand sanitizer is really rough on the skin. Clarins and L'Occitane (the blue one) are also my favorite hand creams:)
ReplyDeleteYour nails are so perfect! I used to have quite good nails and I know I spent ages on it but now everything about them is chaotic, in such need of these tips, thank you so much! Cannot wait to start trying this and hopefully get my nails back! xx
ReplyDeleteFilippa ⎮ Always a Dot
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!!! I love your nails and I can't wait to try those tips so mine get better!
ReplyDeletehttp://stylesprinter.com
Great tips! Love your glitter manicure!!
ReplyDeleteChristina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com
Some fantastic tips here! Can you recommend a great hand-cream please? I use a Clarin's one at the moment which is good however I actually find some hand-creams can make my hands dry (which is quite odd) so I tend to go without.
ReplyDeleteI love your nail tips here, inspired me to take more care of my own!
Lovely post :) You have stunning hands (I know I always say that) and now we can see why!
Laura xo
www.shehearts.net
Your nails are just so gorgeous and I am in LOVE with the nail polish too - gorgeous post hun, hope you're having a great week so far!!!
ReplyDeleteLayla xx
http://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
Lovely post, my nails are literally like paper, i'll definitely be trying out some of your tips :) xx
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