Let's face it.....your nails are going to be on display very soon and you need to get them in shape now.
1. For a really fast way to get your nails looking great consider having artificial (acrylic) nails put on by a professional. I had these nails on myself for years and loved them. The positive points of having artificial nails is that your nails will always look well groomed. You can have the tips cut to any length that suits your lifestyle and they are rock hard so you can be a little bit rougher with your hands and still have lovely looking fingernails. The downside to acrylic nails is the maintenance. You need to get your nails filled (acrylic filler) every 3 - 4 weeks and you must keep this up or you risk the chance of breaking a nail and it becoming infected. The smell of the acrylic can be offensive for some too! But overall, a very good option if you need your nails to look amazing quickly.
2. Another quick option is to have gel nails applied by a professional. These are more natural looking than the acrylic nails and their 'claim to fame' is that they will cause less damage to your real nail compared to the acrylic ones. Again, you can have the tips cut to any length you wish. The gel is "cured" onto the nail by using an ultra violet light that hardens and literally bakes it onto the nail. In some salons professionals are not using ultra violet light but dipping fingers into water to set the gel. The smell of the gel isn't half as offensive as the acrylic and the overall appearance is really nice. Gel nails are becoming much more popular these days and for good reason.
3. For those who have the time and patience to place into getting their own nails in shape here are some pointers to help get them looking fabulous sooner! The process of obtaining and then maintaining beautiful fingernails involves some work but the effort will be worth it! A good first step is to start a monthly routine of manicures. Find a reputable spa like Dawson Manor Spa in Newmarket Ontario or The Elmwood Spa in Toronto and book your monthly manicures now. Start wearing rubber gloves when you're house cleaning or washing dishes and bring a toothbrush into the shower with you to clean your nails while you're showering. Keep your nails painted with a colour you notice because if you notice your nails more regularly you will be less likely to abuse them and more careful when opening doors and picking things up, etc. Apply moisturizer like you're possessed with it! : ) But seriously....moisturizing helps soften your cuticles thus helping to grow your nails quicker.
The sooner you look into getting your nails in shape the sooner you'll have great looking hands on your wedding day.
Come by next week when I'll be writing about sexy bridal hair and makeup looks. Don't miss it!
