You don’t feel like wearing classic plum or fluorescent pink; in fact you don’t want even want to wear your favourite flats. You’ve been there, and so have we: chipped nails have an affect on your style quotient as well as your mind. Here’s some good advice for brittle nails.
-Don’t ignore the signs: If you’ve noticed your tips are not feeling their usual self, or are going yellow in between trips to salon, it’s time to take some action. You see, between manicures, unwarranted cuticle cutting, polishing and nail extensions, our tips tend to get weak.
-Clip them now!: Take 20 minutes out in the day, remove paint at home or extensions at the salon, and trim your tips. The longer you take translates into more damage for your nails. In fact, Chandni Singh, leading make-up artist in New Delhi and owner of Chandni Singh Salon and Academy explains in times like these, “you shouldn’t let your nails grow: it can damage your nail bed, and in turn, takes longer for the chipped nail to grow back.”
-Stay away from nail polish: I know it’s hard but with the amount of chemicals in any nail enamel, even the breathable formulas, will only harm your oh-so-chipped nails. If your need to step out and think your nails just don’t make the cut, file your tips and apply a transparent top coat on each.
-Take a break from nail art and extensions: We know it’s awesome and nail art is creative and pretty and it makes you feel good, but it definitely tends to weaken your nails. Acrylic nails also mean using adhesives which can cause your nails to break often. So take sometime off this and give your nails a breather.
-Tweak your diet: What we eat has a direct effect on our nails, hair and skin. Eat your favourite leafy salads, fresh fruits and veggies–they are a powerhouse of anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. Protein foods like tofu, cottage cheese, soyabean, chicken, eggs and fish help too. You can also opt for biotin supplements easily available at your neighbourhood chemist shop. Chandni Singh recommends popping GNC Hair, Skin &Nails Formula available at leading pharmacies and healthkart.com/nykaa.com. Tried and tested, it promises to be formulated with biotin, lutein, gelatin and amino acids for health nails and more.
-DIY: Studies have proven that olive oil may help repair damage and help strengthen your nails. Take some olive oil in a bowl (enough to dip your nails in), warm it in the microwave and dip your fingers in it for 15-20 minutes. Take your hands out and rub the oil on your nails, especially in and around your cuticles.
