The Keys to Naturally Beautiful Nails

My Nail Care Journey

Dearies, when I was younger, I’ll admit I wasn’t always the best at taking care of my nails. Like many of you, I went through phases of biting my nails, using harsh removers, and neglecting proper nail care. As I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve come to truly appreciate the importance of natural nail care.

Over the years, I’ve picked up countless tips and tricks for keeping my nails strong, healthy, and beautiful. And you know what? I’m going to share them all with you today! Getting our nails into tip-top shape is easier than you might think, and absolutely worth the effort.

Listen to the Experts (and Your Nails!)

Before we dive in, I want to emphasize that everyone’s nails are different. The ideal nail care routine should be tailored to your own needs and lifestyle. Pay close attention to how your nails respond to different products and techniques.

I also recommend looking to trusted experts for advice. This excellent guide from Kester Black is one of my go-to resources. The brand’s focus on natural, non-toxic nail care aligns with my beliefs.

Now, let’s get into the good stuff! Here are my top tips for nurturing your nails:

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

Keeping your nails and cuticles properly moisturized is KEY! Dryness leads to brittleness, peeling, and cracking – a nail care nightmare. Trust me, you don’t want to deal with that.

One of my holy grail products is the Kester Black Self Love Oil. As the name suggests, this nourishing oil is pure self-care in a bottle. I love how it hydrates and adds a healthy shine to my nails, cuticles, and skin.

“This oil is honestly unexpectedly wonderful. I use it on my nails, cuticles, and any other dry spots!” – Caitlin, Australia

Many Reddit users on r/RedditLaqueristas also swear by cuticle oils and hand creams. u/Aerostars says:

“I always put cuticle oil on after removing my nail polish and before putting more on. It has made such a huge difference in my nail health!”

Don’t underestimate the power of a good moisturizing routine!

Treat Your Nails to Restorative Masks

In addition to daily hydration, I like to pamper my nails every week or two with a nourishing treatment mask. The Kester Black Rest & Repair Mask is an absolute godsend!

Packed with botanical extracts and bioactive ingredients, this lush formula revives dry, dull, and damaged nails. I usually apply it before bed and let it work its magic overnight.

Reddit user u/polishednails had this to say about the Rest & Repair Mask:

“I was a gel mani addict and it totally wrecked my nails. This mask has been a lifesaver for repairing and rehydrating them!”

If your nails need some serious TLC, I can’t recommend a good treatment mask enough.

Be Gentle When Shaping and Filing

Improper filing and harsh emery boards can weaken nails and cause small cracks or splits. To keep your nails in pristine condition, use a fine grit file (180-240 grit is ideal) and go slowly, filing in one direction.

Glass files are another great option, as they’re smooth and prevent excessive nail-thinning. I try to shape my nails regularly, about once a week, to maintain their natural strength.

Prioritize Your Cuticles

This one is so important! Your cuticles act as a protective barrier against infection and damage. Cutting or pushing them back too aggressively can lead to painful issues like hangnails, redness, and swelling.

Take it from me – you want to avoid messing with your cuticles! When I do need to tidy them up, I simply massage them with a cuticle oil or cream (like the Kester Black Self Love Oil) after a shower. This helps loosen any dry, excess cuticle skin so I can gently push it back with a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick.

Remember, your cuticles are there to safeguard your nails, so treat them with care!

Protect Your Nails While You Work

As much as I love having pretty nails, household chores like cleaning and gardening can really do a number on them. That’s why I always wear gloves to protect my nails from harsh chemicals, detergents, and the elements.

Reddit user u/GoPlantMom agrees:

“Wearing gloves while doing housework has made such a difference for me! My nails used to peel and break so easily before I started protecting them.”

It’s a simple step, but gloving up can significantly extend the life of your manicure and prevent unnecessary nail damage.

Commit to a Strengthening Routine

While taking preventative measures is important, sometimes our nails need a little extra restorative TLC. If your nails are prone to breakage, splitting, or peeling, investing in a strengthening routine is key.

Personally, I swear by the Kester Black Miracle Treatment Base Coat. This award-winning formula contains nourishing cherry blossom extract, moisturizing oils, and fortifying vitamins to harden and revitalize nails.

Just look at these incredible before & after results from a Kester Black customer:

“This truly has been a miracle in improving the strength and quality of my nails.” – Erin M.

When used consistently, products like this can transform weak, brittle nails into the strong, healthy nails of your dreams.

Make Smart Polish Choices

We all love a fresh mani, but traditional nail polishes are often loaded with harsh chemicals that can stain and dry out nails over time. That’s why I’ve made the switch to cleaner, non-toxic formulas.

The Kester Black 12-Free Nail Polish range avoids the 12 most concerning ingredients typically found in polishes. Their pigmented shades provide rich color payoff without compromising nail health.

As Reddit user u/DepressedAlchemist puts it:

“Using non-toxic polishes has made such a difference for me. My nails always looked stained and felt dry before. Now they’re so much stronger and have a nice shine!”

Don’t neglect your base coat and top coat either! These act as protective layers, preventing chips and enhancing your mani’s longevity.

Nourish From the Inside Out

While external nail care is crucial, we can’t overlook the importance of proper nutrition. Our nails are made of keratin, which requires an array of vitamins and minerals to produce.

I make sure to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet filled with leafy greens, nuts, beans, and other foods packed with biotin, iron, zinc, and other foods packed with biotin, iron, zinc, and vitamin C. All of these play a role in keeping nails healthy and strong.

Reddit user u/juleznailedit emphasizes the nail-nourishing benefits of a wholesome diet:

“Your nails are one of the first places nutrient deficiencies show up! Eating lots of veggies, protein, and healthy fats gives your nails the building blocks they need to grow in strong.”

When you’re nourishing your body with the right vitamins and minerals, it shows in the quality of your nails. It’s that simple!

Use Moderation with Harsh Treatments

I’ll be the first to admit that gel manicures and acrylics look amazing. However, these harsher nail treatments can cause significant dehydration and brittleness when overused.

If you do opt for gels or acrylics occasionally, pamper your nails afterwards with intensive conditioning and hydrating treatments. The Kester Black Rest & Repair Mask is perfect for reviving nails post-gel.

u/laurens_witchy_nails shares her experience:

“I went way too hard on the gel manis for a while there. Using the Rest & Repair mask consistently after removing the gels has really helped bring my nails back to life!”

The key is moderation – too much of a good thing can take a toll. Alternate between low-maintenance and high-maintenance nail looks, and always prioritize nail health.

Conclusion: Naturally Beautiful Nails

Well, my dears, those are my tried-and-true tips for achieving naturally beautiful, strong, and healthy nails!

The bottom line? Nail care isn’t about quick fixes or trendy hacks. It’s about consistency, gentleness, and nourishing your nails from both the inside and out.

Remember, every nail is unique! Tuning into your nails’ specific needs – through observation and a bit of trial-and-error – is so important. Ditch any harsh habits or products that seem to be weakening your nails.

Instead, focus on hydration, nutrition, protection, and fortification. With a bit of devotion, you’ll be amazed at how resilient and lovely your nails can become.

Wishing you all the best on your natural nail care journey! Here’s to stronger, longer, more vibrant nails.

FAQ

Q: How can I stop biting my nails? A: Nail biting is such a hard habit to break, but so worthwhile when you do! A few tips:

• Keep nails trimmed short and smooth, as rough edges can trigger biting
• Use a strengthening treatment like the Kester Black Miracle Base Coat – the smoother surface deters nail-nibbling
• Try a bitter-tasting polish to curb the oral habit
• Stay hydrated and moisturized, as dry nails are more tempting to bite
• Be patient and kind with yourself! Small steps lead to big changes.

Q: How often should I get my nails done professionally? A: This is really a personal preference! If your job or lifestyle involves a lot of handiwork, you may want to skip the gels and stick to regular manicures. For lower-maintenance folks, gel manis every 2-3 weeks can be manageable. Just be sure to take breaks to allow your nails to recover and “breathe.” And always, always remove gels/acrylics properly!

Q: Should I push back my cuticles or leave them alone? A: While you don’t want to aggressively cut or push back cuticles, a bit of gentle grooming is okay. After a shower or cuticle oil application, you can use an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher to gently nudge back any excess cuticle skin from your nail bed. The key is not being overly aggressive, which can lead to infection and damage.

Q: How can I make my nails look whiter/brighter? A: There are a few tricks for this! Using a whitening nail scrub or buffing them lightly can help brighten nails. A fun hack is mixing a drop of blue nail polish into your clear base coat – it neutralizes yellow tones for a crisp, bright appearance. You can also try a nail whitening product, like the Kester Black Miracle Treatment Base Coat, which has light-reflecting pearls.

Q: What should I look for in a quality nail file? A: When filing and shaping nails, you want to use a fine grit file or buffer – 180-240 grit is ideal. Coarser grits can cause micro-tears and peeling. I’m also a big fan of glass nail files, as they’re ultra-smooth and last practically forever. Whichever file you use, be sure to go slowly and file in one direction, rather than sawing back and forth.