Practical Nail Care for Working Women

Working women often don't have the time or the energy to look after their nails. Maintaining long nails, polishing them, manicures, pedicures etc. often become too tiresome for women who work, look after their families and their children. For such women, short, ugly nails are the only option.

However, it is possible to have attractive well-groomed hands without getting into a tedious cycle of nail care that is expensive and time consuming. For example, nails do not have to be long and shapely in order to look pretty. It is possible to have short but neatly manicured nails all the time.

Your Daily Nail Care Routine

Begin by establishing a regular nail care routine. Just as you don't fall asleep without removing your make-up and without brushing your teeth, similarly, add another to-do to this list. Always wash your hands with a gentle or herbal hand-wash. This washes off the grime and dirt that collects under the nails throughout the day.

Then, just before slipping under the covers, apply generous dollops of hand moisturiser. This keeps the skin looking young and hydrated and prevents the formation of wrinkles. This should become a habit with you and soon enough, you will see that your hands and nails start looking prettier.

If you can, rub some Vaseline or petroleum jelly in to your nails every night. This strengthens them and locks in the moisture that you have applied for a good eight hours. Soon enough, your nails will grow longer and stronger.

Once a week, soak your hands in some hot water. Then, file down the nail growth so that the edges are rounded, but not sharp. You don't want talons, do you? After that, apply two coats of an invisible nail colour. This prevents your nails from looking yellow and unattractive. The invisible nail colour also helps strengthen your nails and this prevents accidental chipping and breakage.

Apply a coloured nail polish only if you can touch it up after two or three days. If you don't have the time, then keep the invisible nail colour on. If it chips then your nails will still look good.

Always keep a set of false nails ready for when you are about to go to a party, apply them over your existing nails. This way, you will always have pretty nails and lovely, shapely hands when you are out with friends.