New Tricks to Growing Long Fingernails

                                                   New Tricks to Growing Long Fingernails

There are some sensible, but uncommon ways to growing out your natural fingernails.  And this
blog, I will tell you and challenge you with a 30 day challenge to starting to grow your nails 1/2 cm in one month.  Your nail grows naturally 1/10th cm. everyday.  However, the other challenge is keeping your long nails. 

In the winter months, I highly recommend trimming your nails down (if you have read my other blog posts) because your nails can become too long and become weakened.  But more importantly, the wintry, dry air wreaks havoc on your nails.  So if you trim them, they will be stronger so don't worry they will grow back. 

So anyways, let's get to the tricks of getting to longer, stronger nails:  Of course keeping your nails moisturized, oiled, clean and trimmed are a good start, but there is more that you can do that we don't really think of on a daily basis: 

1. The first trick is typing or playing the piano.  Yes, for those of you that use computers every day or may be interested in playing the piano, this helps your nails grow and become strong.  Why?  Because of the blood flow that the constant tapping encourages in the lunula of your fingernail bed, it causes this circulation to enhance the growth and strength of the nail unit.  So starting a blog or typing more comments, for instance, can help your nails to grow.
2. The next trick to try is to push back the skin at the tip of the finger behind the fingernail.  This pushing back of the skin tricks the nails into thinking that they are long and flowing.  I don't know why this works, but it does.  So make this part of your nail growing regimen.
3. The third trick is not really a trick, but it is just using a cuticle softener and conditioner/ remover along with a wooden orange cuticle stick used to push back your cuticles. You can get these items at your local pharmacy store like CVS or Walgreens or Sally's.  Apply the cuticle lotion, then let this sit for about three minutes, next push back the cuticles with the wooden orange cuticle stick,  next rinse your hands off with warm water.  Then add an herbal oil and/or use a hand and nail cream or lotion.  Your nails will grow strong and beautiful.
4. The fourth trick is soaking your nails in olive oil and/or whatever your favorite oil, for example  almond oil or any oil that smell good to you.  This is a good way to fortify and moisturize your nails. 
5. Another tip is during your house cleaning of the shower/tub.  Try using your knuckles instead of your fingernail tips for scrubbing hard to clean tub and sink surfaces.  This takes the pressure off of your fingers and fingernails and actually gives you more muscle power when you use your knuckles.  Try it, this works.
6. The last trick also is not a trick, but common sense, and that is gloves, gloves, gloves.  I can't emphasize enough the importance of wearing gloves for housework, dishes, and for traveling or for the wintery cold months.  This is very essential for your nails, whether long or short, in order to sustain your nails over a long period of time.  

So these are the tips and tricks for successfully growing and strengthening your fingernails.  These tips and tricks are tried and true.  So they do work if you work them.  So get your calendars and keep track, have fun with your nails. Don't get frustrated with a few breaks here and there.  And the first thing you should do is go out and buy some dish gloves, some warm gloves or mittens for outside (or even knit or crochet some if you are crafty), and get some work gloves for house work.  Remember gloves, gloves, gloves........

The biggest challenge to longer and stronger lasting fingernails is consciously thinking of ways to keep from breaking your nails in the first.  It is going to start with getting rid of bad habits that cause nail breakage in the first place.  But of course, breaks happen and sometimes are unavoidable, but you can limit the number of breaks by consciously thinking of alternative ways to do everyday tasks.

Hope these techniques help.  Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and solutions for natural nail growing. 

Winterizing Your Fingernails

                         Winterizing Your Fingernails

Let's face it, winter and cold can wreak the most havoc on our fingernails.  To winter-proof your nails there four things you must do:

1.  First keep your nails trimmed down to a more manageable   
     length.  Long nails tend to weaken over time and with the   
     stress that the cold can add, shortened nails help to keep the
     nails strong and better able to cope with the bumps that they
     may encounter.

2.  Second, moisture is necessary to maintain your nails.  The cold 
     and dry air saps the moisture from your nails, so it is necessary
     to have some type of moisture product nearby either at a
     kitchen sink or in your purse.  My favorite is Mane & Tail 
     hand and nail cream.  This provides both moisture and protein 
     that will both keep your nails strong and lubricated at the same
     time.      There are also other good products at your local drug-
     store or anywhere they carry hand cream and lotion products.  I
     recommend products that contain protein and/or Vitamin E oil. 

3.  Third, you need a good pair of warm gloves to protect your
      nails from the freezing temps.  A good splurge on a pair of
     lined leather gloves will keep your nails protected and keep you
     looking stylish all at the same time.

4.   Lastly, you need to keep some oil next to your hand cream. 
     The oil will help to lock in your moisture products and Vitamin
     E will help to give your nails the necessary nutrients to stay
     strong and  continue to grow throughout the winter months.

Your nails will continue to grow through the wintry months, so
continue to trim and keep your nails at the manageable length, pre-
ferably 1/2 centimeter long, to keep your nails from growing too
long and weakening which will make them susceptible to breakage.

The Science of Why Fingernails Break

07-24-14

                                               WHY FINGERNAILS BREAK

From doing some personal research and from personal experience I have been able to discover why nails tend break and can become difficult to keep long. It has to do with strength, flexibility, and hardness, however, these three must be interconnected to one another to have successful nail growth.

The matrix (lunula or moon) which is at the cuticle of the nail produces oils and moisture that help to keep your  nail bending and flexible which helps your nail to resist an object ( say light switch) that would cause it to break. 

If something is strong, according to Hooked on Nails, the nail needs to be able to resist the object that would cause it to break and notes how likely something can break under force.   If something is flexible, it determines how well the nail plate will bend.  If the  nail is hard,  it measures how much the nail plate can be dented or scratched.  Toughness is a combination of all three:  flexibility, strength, and hardness and this combination creates an ideal nail plate.

So when thinking of the reasons why fingernails break you must first consciously consider the conditions under which time the nail breaks:

• Is it cold outside?  The cold/dry winter air causes the moisture to evaporate out of your nails and nail bed leaving your nails prone to hardening with no protective moisture barrier and this causes your nails to be less resistant when the nail comes in contact with another object (for example a light switch). 
• Were you driving when the nail broke?  The constant getting in and out of your vehicle can wreak havoc on your nails.  The door hands, steering wheel, carrying of groceries, the hatchback door can cause wear and tear if you unknowingly hit your nail against these surfaces. 
• Working around the kitchen or other areas of the house?  Washing dishes and cooking can cause nails to break.  The contact of your nails against pots and pans can damage your nails or washing dishes in the sink without gloves, can not only weaken your nails, but cause an unknown break to your nail.  The water in the sink softens the nail and makes them more susceptible to damage and breakage, this is why gloves are ever so important.  One lady on YouTube states that she even carries gloves to her mother's house during the holidays or special occasions when she thinks she may be helping with the dishes.  This is an awesome idea.  And she has beautiful and even fingernails. So ladies...gloves, gloves....gloves.
• Miscellaneous conditions where damage can occur are just plain living life.  I have broken my nails on my knee by just excitingly jumping up, from rushing to go somewhere, carelessly picking up items around the house etc....you get the picture.  So it is best to just slow down and be careful and conscious about what you are doing with your hands and nails.  Keep hand creams, lotions, and oils nearby or in your purse.  These items are life savers for keeping your nails.  You also want to keep your nails filed squarely and trimmed during the winter or during times when you will be extraordinarily busy such as moving or yard work for these will make you nails vulnerable to damage and breakage.  So slow and be careful and let's grow our long and strong ladies.  Power to your nails!

Nail Pics Days Past (My nails are a work in progress)

Here are just some random pics of my nail journey: 1-08-14

Here are some pics from 2-19-14:

Here are pics on 1-30-14:

Here are some more pics of (womp womp womp)
broken nails.  Hey it happens.  Our natural nail life story.  Just get up and start all over again.  Its fun right?.........

Tricks and Tips to growing natural nails

Fingernails are women's intricate little delicacies that allow us to
show, at our leisure, how we want to portray ourselves to the world.
Some women prefer dainty paintings and  nail decals, while others
prefer a slight manicure with a polish, while more demure females
prefer just a slight clean natural buffed and shiny nail. 

Today, I would like to discuss the buffing method for a simple, nice yet feminine touch manicure.

Items needed:

Buffing cream ( I use Winning Nails from Sally's Beauty Supply)
Chamois skin nail buffer ( Sally's Beauty Supply)
Nail Polish Remover
Cotton Balls
Dry Towel
Bowl for soaking nails
Herbal oil
Hand/Nail cream
Cuticle removal cream
Orange Cuticle stick

If have nail polish on, use polish remover to take off.
Now to prepare your nails, soak them in a bowl of water (add mild soap if you like), one part lemon juice (for ridding of yellowing), and one part olive oil. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.  Then dry.
Use a cuticle removal lotion and place around bed of each nail and cuticle area for 3 minutes.
Use your orange cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles.  This helps to strengthen your nails also.
Wash hands with mild soap and warm water. Dry.

Now for the buffing method:

Take your buffing cream and lightly spread on each fingernail bed, doing your left hand first (if right handed).

Take your chamois skin buffer and buff in a horizontal direction from left to right.  You will do this approximately 40 times per nail.  You are aiming to get a shine to your nails.  You may not get very shiny in the beginning, but in the next few manicures as you continue the buffing method, you will begin to see more of a shine.

After buffing your nail, apply an herbal oil preferably with coconut oil, jojoba oil, vitamin e oil, whatever you choice to the nail, cuticle, and hands.

Now after this, you can choose to apply a clear base coat polish for extra protection (especially in the winter).  I prefer Opi, Orly ( has a wide variety to fit your particular needs), Sally Hansen's Triple Strong ( because of its gel and silicone additives).  Apply two coats of the polish of your choice.  Leave on one week then reapply.

Another lotion that works very well in strengthening natural nails is the Mane and Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy.  If its strong enough for horses, it's strong enough for our fingernails.  Good stuff!

If you have further questions,  feel free to post them.  Stay tuned for other tricks and tips for growing strong natural nails.  Love ya.