5 Tips: How To Maintain Healthy Nails

So I've always considered myself quite lucky to have nails that grow fast. However for the past four years I have been actively maintaining my nails, and I wanted to share my top tips and tricks for how to keep your nails in the best shape.

1) File to Shape

So I hardly ever really cut my nails, I only reach for my nail clippers if I have seriously neglected my nails that they have grown so long and eventually broken into a variety of shapes and sizes. I think we need to start from scratch sometimes and file our nails down to all have the same shape. When I first did this I was left with seriously short nails but they were all the same shape and size and just looked a lot more pleasing. Additionally, nails are easier to maintain when they are shorter as they are less likely to break and chip. So every week you can begin to file where you need to file, and in no time you'll have longer nails that are the same shape!

2) Identify your problems

This is a weird one, but I think we all have a problem point when it comes to nails; you may bite your nails, wear so much nail polish that you are suffering from nail yellowing, or have nails that break easily. The list goes on and on. So if you suffer from biting your nails, perhaps invest in those bitter nail polishes. If you are suffering from yellowing nails, then I suggest taking a break from nail polish, because it's always good to air your nails out! If you have nails that break easily, it might be good to file them a bit shorter so that you can focus on making your nails a bit stronger.

3) Moisturise!

So I've recently done a post all about hand creams, I think it's good to keep your hands moisturised as they are one of the areas of your body that shows the signs of aging first. When adding hand cream, it's easier to massage your cuticles, and push them back. My favourite hand cream for when I am doing my nails is the  Sanctuary Spa Velvety Hand Cream (£3.00/30ml), it's super luxurious formula and leaves a super subtle but lovely scent behind. 

4) Avoid too much water

Drinking lots of water is good, however exposing your nails to lots of water isn't the best thing. Have you guys ever noticed that when you finish washing the dishes or coming out of a long shower that your nails are bendy? So if you are prone to nails that snap off for what seems like no reason, this might be something to look out for. Also avoid filing your nails when they are still wet, your nails are at it's weakest, and you are probably doing more damage than good.

5) Invest in treatments

Sometimes we all need put in a bit more effort to maintain our nails. This may be investing in nail hardeners, if you have brittle nails, or cuticle oil if your cuticles are hard to manage. I remember when I suffered from yellowing nails, I bought a base coat because I didn't want to stop wearing nail polish, and low and behold, my nails returned back to their usual colour. It's normally the small, simple steps we miss out that can have an effect on our nail health the most. Diet and water is important, and this should probably be the first factor you look at. Another thing I like to do is to get my nails professionally manicured once in a while, because if the nail technician creates the shape I want, all I have to do is maintain it.

I hope this post was helpful for those of you who are having a bit of trouble maintaining the healthy nails you want! If you have any tips and tricks that I missed out then I would love for you to share in the comments below. Also be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

3 Highstreet Hand Creams

Happy new years guys! So unlike many others, I haven't done my 'Best of 2016' beauty products post because actually much of what I share on here are my favourites or my regular routines, so I thought there would be a lot of repetition. Anyway, today I wanted to share with you three affordable hand creams that will protect your hands this winter, so on with the post...

The first hand cream is the newest in my collection, and it's the Sanctuary Spa Velvety Hand Cream (£3.00/30ml). My cousin gifted this to me for Christmas because she noticed that I didn't own anything by Sanctuary Spa, which was very thoughtful! So this hand cream is light in formula, slightly more thicker than a lotion but has a similar blend-ability to it, and so it's quick to put on and sink in. It doesn't leave any greasy residue and it's just a lovely hand cream, you can feel that it has that luxury, spa-like aspect to it. So this is an absolute treat to put on, especially when you are doing your nails. The scent of this is amazing to, it's a light citrus scent which is what adds to the luxury feel as it isn't too potent, but it's definitely discernible. I feel like I would have paid more for this item, so this is an absolute bargain in terms of price.

Soap and Glory Hand Food (£2.50/50ml), is a cult favourite, it has a sweet marshmallow-like scent that is addictive, and moisturises the hand nicely. Despite this, I think this is my least favourite hand cream. I know, I know, how could I say that? For me, I need a hand cream that will sink into my skin, and this is the only hand cream I own that sits on my skin the longest, which is okay when you are at home, but out and about, I feel like my hands are slippy and I have the urge to wipe my hands on my jeans. So although it is the most affordable for the amount you are getting, this is my least reached for product. However, it's a cult favourite for a reason, and that might be because my hands don't get super dry, so perhaps that's why I don't like the feeling of it.

So this last product is actually my favourite, it's Patisserie De Bain Sugared Violet Hand Cream*(£3.99/50ml). I personally contacted this brand to tell them that I loved their products, they have such a niche idea using candy as inspiration, and they were kind enough to send me a few products from their range. I also know that the scents won't be everyone's favourite, however it's the formula that I am absolutely in love with. This is the thickest consistency, however don't be fooled by this because this actually sinks into the skin so quickly, that you can't even remember if you put anything on! It's one of those which is ideal for travel because you can carry on with your day not hindered by sticky hands. The scent of this is also so nostalgic for me too, it smells like the sweet Violets which it's inspired by, so if you have the chance to sniff this, it's definitely worth it. Their range can be found in Superdrug, and you'll love their products if you like scents to stay on your skin!

I would love to know what your favourites are and if you have tried any of the ones I have mentioned! Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

* This post contains a PR sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.