NAIL TIPS

1. When shaping your nails, run them over an old pair of tights to see if they snag them. If they snag, there is work left for the file.
2. The best way to grow strong nails is to make sure that they are kept moisturized because nails take a lot of abuse in daily life and are repeatedly exposed to harsh detergents and chemicals that can dry them out.
3. For yellowing nails caused by dark nail polishes, dip your nails in lemon juice mixed with water for a few minutes - its gets rid of the yellow and you don't need to use any nasty chemicals.
4. Feed your nails! Eat silicon rich food like broccoli, onions and fish and biotin rich foods like whole grains and banana.
5. Watch out! While nail polishes that have strengthening ingredients may help make nails less prone to splitting, they also increase nail stiffness. This causes the nails to break more frequently under trauma.
6. Smoking and applying dark varnish with no base coat can discolour nails. However if you notice discolouration of the nail that is not caused by either, consult a doctorr as it could indicate an underlying health problem.
7. For holidays choose the 3 week manicure, a revolutionary manicure treatment which is sweeping the UK from the U.S. Chip resistant, perfectly polished nails for up to 3 weeks ideal for summer holiday.
8. Despite the myth, white spots on fingernails are rarely caused by mineral deficiency or poor diet. They are more likely to be caused by damage to the nail bed or knocking the nail, a bit like bruising your skin.
9. If you get ink stains on your hands that won't come off with washing, nail polish remover will do the trick. It will also remove stickers and their sticky residue from glass saving you damaging your nails picking off glue!

1. The word "manicure" derives from the Latin, manus for 'hand' cura for 'care'.
2. Coloured nail polishes were invented in the 1920s and though the chemical composition has changed over the years, the core formula is the same.
3. It is thought the first nail polish was launched by Revlon.
4. The pale half-moon sized portion (called the lunula) at the base of the nail joining the finger is the only living cell part in the nail. The rest is made up of dead cells!
5. Your nails can help doctors diagnose illnesses. Keep an eye out for changes in their condition. Problems such as adult-onset diabetes, anaemia, lung disease, and measles can show themselves in your nails.
6. Nail manicure is a very ancient activity. There is evidence that even 4,000 years ago it was known to our predecessors.
7. Not all your nails will grow at the same speed! Finger nails grow faster than toe nails. The fastest growing nail is on the middle finger. The slowest - on the thumbnail. Cut each nail if and when they need it.

Links you may be interested in

Cannelle Christmas Extravaganza

Manicures & Pedicures

Bio Sculpture Nails - 3 week manicure

This Months Beauty Expert Emily Johns Emily studied French and Italian at Jesus College, Oxford, has worked in global information communications and has also squeezed in the time to become a fully qualified teacher in modern languages. Emily is Beauty Marketing Director for French beauty salon business Cannelle

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