How-To: Growing Natural Long Nails + My Longest Nails of 2011

Hi guys! Today's article is about how to growing natural nails. I want to share some information about it and a few tips and tricks I like to do. Because I know some of U are curious about how I grow long nails ;) Don't like keep a secrets and gonna devote to all of U :)

To this date, the length of my nails is about 1+++ sm of free edge. I like to shorten my thumb nails tho because they start curling up when they long and it looks definitely ugly! Kindda hate curling nails!

1. First of all is daily hydrating ur cuticles. And now when it's get cooler and cooler I like to moisturize my cuticle area several times a day (as well as I always hydrating under free edge area every time I moisturize my cuticles). Cuticle is a place where the nail begins to grow out and it's very important to always moisturize it that will make ur nails healthy and look neat. I recommend using Almond Oil or Vitamin E to hydrate cuticle.

 

2. Also there is very great products like hardeners (repairing peeling and weak nails) and strengtheners (repairing from fragile nails). It helps to thicken the nail plate and prevent from breakage. I used both of

them... When apply always try to cover free edge of ur nails it helps to thiken them. 

3. Another magical product is a nail growth stimulator. I used one by Smart Enamel (don't have a picture of it now) but I really do like it, the result was totally noticeable and if U can get it go and buy! Very nice working product, promise! Recently I bought another growth stimulator by Kiss but don't used it yet... So will see how that works as well. 

4. I don't buff my nails at all! I know a lot of people do it once a week or so but that makes my nails completely weak and thin and all that stuff. And very gentle buffing stroke can cause irreparable damage to my nails. So, may be it will change Ur opinion and manicure routine as well...



5. Once U have grow out free edge than don't file it! Because basically U will file down the length of new-growth nails. Just refresh the sides of free edges and don't touch the length.



6. And most important thing protecting ur hands! Use rubber gloves when do cleaning, wash dishes and such... Protect ur hands from all kinds of chemicals and apply hand cream every time as U have a chance. Protecting nails is also important! Don't scratch, pick etc., just be careful with nails.



Some people taking vitamins to improve the growth of nails, drink a lot of water, healthy life style. A lot of people just go and get some artificial acrylic/gel nails. But for me always will be the most interesting is to grow LONG natural healthy nails.

 The longest length of my nails this year 2011.

Festive Violet

White Style Wedding Nail design

Acrylic Paint Flowers

BK Black Cracking Polish

Cherry Nails

So those are tips and tricks which works nice for me.

What are your best way to help the growth of nails? Lets help out each other!

Thanx for looking and take care of ur nails :)

How-To use 3D Mold

I did this "Under The Sea" nail design the other day and also posted all the products I've used as well. So here is a very simple tutorial on how-to use acrylic 3D mold.

And before U start working with all acrylic chemicals be sure that you are in well-ventilated room. Because acrylic liquid has a very strong smell! I like to work with acrylic products in my veranda so I can get permanent room ventilation.

Step 1 : First of all get some acrylic liquid into a glass jar and prepare nail art brush designed to work with acrylic. I like to use Kolinsky oval nail art brush size #5.

Step 2 : Take preferred acrylic powder and with soaked in acrylic liquid brush take a bit of acrylic powder and it gonna looks like a small ball.

Step 3 : Fill in the 3D mold pattern as neat as U can.

Step 4 : Wait for about 5 mins and take out all the 3D decorations. If it doesn't come out easily use a toothpick to help.

Step 5 : And because I am so messy with this I got a lot of extra edges. To cut them off use a small scissors.

Finished Product : And here is the final result. All the 3D designs ready for manicure designing. To apply them onto ur nails use a very sticky clear nail polish. Use a top coat afterwards to make them look nice and shiny. Also to make them look more creative U can paint them with acrylic paints as well.

I also heard that take out the 3D designs when it still a bit soft will helps nicely bend on the nails.

And thats it! U'll easily get how to work with acrylics after first use. Very simple but absolutely exciting!

Have U tried using 3D mold? Which design would U like to get? (As for me I'd like to buy some different type of snowflakes pattern :)

P.S. I really am new at acrylic technique and if U have any tips and tricks feel free to share them with all of us :)

HOW TO: FILING NAILS

Just decided to start this kind of "How-to series". Because quite often I get some random questions about my nails 'n such and thought that sharing with information about nail care and nail growing it's may be helps for some of U! So, lets start with a simple but very important thing as filing ur nails.

First of all lets pic up "right" file. And so far I can offer 2 options which are glass and buffing nail file. I recommend to stay away from metallic types coz they are very harsh at least for me.

I personally prefer buffing nail file, it's easy to control when filing and some of them has very cute and girly decoration. One that I use for now it's from The Face Shop store.

Next step would be chosing nail shape. There is stiletto, round/oval, pointed, square and squoral basic shapes. My personal preference is squoral shape because it looks nice and practical in everyday life. 

After U decided which shape will work well for you make sure that U removed old nail polish. Gentely wipe off all the excess around nail plate, free edge, uder nail tip if necessary. Just make sure ur nails are clean.

So, lets get to on nail filing.

1. Take nail file and don't hold it to tight.

2. Visually divide the nail into two parts and find the middle/center.

3. Start filing sides of free edges in one direction to the center.

4. File free edge in one direction to achieve required length.

5. And I personally like to file sharp corners of my nail tips and make them just a little bit rounded.

TIPS:

• 
  If U have not symmetrical nail beds turn ur hand to the palm and try to do the same length of each nail.
  
  


• 
  Don't file back and forth it will damage ur nail.
  
  

So thats it for nail filing! Any questions? Leave them below.

Thanx for reading!