Don't forget about your natural nails

With nail art, gels and acrylics being all the rage right now, we might forget about the beauty of our natural nails.

I thought I’d take a break from the colour and just wear a clear polish but I took of a layer of nail polish off last week and noticed how much the constant reapplication of nail varnish had stained my nails.

Did I need to give my nails a breather from all the lacquer?

Researching opinion online I read that nails are made of keratin so, they don't require oxygen and do not need to ‘breathe’ the way your skin does. 

Expert nail technicians at Jessica Nails dispelled the myth further saying: “Nails actually don't need to breathe, it's a myth! Keeping them polished actually helps to protect them.” 

Furthermore luxury nail artist Sophy Robson added nails, “don't need to breathe they are dead tissue. But if you leave the same polish on for too long they will stain and dry out.”  

So there was no need for my panic it seems all I need to do is regularly change nails polish after a while to avoid discolouration and dehydration and give them a lil’ tlc.

Knowing that I’m looking after my nails in the right way now I can continue doing what I set out to do and that was to ditch the colour and go for clear natural nails.

nail care by bee2010 featuring john lewis

Nails Inc beauty product / Forever 21 , £3.02 / John Lewis / Clear nail polish, £5.03 / The Body Shop body shop, £7.54

Bianca x

DIY shellac nail removal

Shellac nails are a great alternative to acrylics and leave your nails in a better condition after removal. My shellac nails lasted for four weeks and around about that time I decided it was time to take them off.

The recommended way to remove shellac involves soaking a cotton pad in nail varnish remover, wrapping the nail in the pad with aluminium on top for a few minutes and then wiping until clear. However this didn't work for me so I would suggest this method.

Step 1 - Wash your hands and prepare your supplies

I bought a 100% acetone nail remover, a pack of dual ended birchwood sticks and used a bowl to dip my fingers in.

Step 2 - Soak nails

Pour some of the acetone into a bowl and place your finger tips in for 8-10 minutes. The shellac should peel off in the water.

Step 3 - Remove remaining gel

After 10 minutes most of the shellac will have peeled off but won't be completely gone. So to clear the nail use the birchwood sticks to scrape the residue off using the acetone to help.

Step 4 - Wash hands

Once the entire residue is clear your nails will probably sticky so wash your hands to smoothen.

Bianca x