Honestly, how many random utensils have you used in your life to remove that annoying dirt and grime from under your nails? After realizing that using scissors was a really bad idea (true story, what was I thinking?), I decided it was time to figure out how to properly clean under my nails once and for all. After some investigative action, I'm happy to report that the most consistently reliable solution is too simple.
As the temperatures start to drop in the fall, your hands' best friend may actually be their dirty nails enemy. Glamor reviewers note that nails tend to get dirty faster during the colder months, and lint on the inside of the gloves may be the culprit! If you start to notice that your nails are always grubby, turn your gloves over and dust them off.
Of course, not all problems stem from gloves, and no matter where the dirt comes from, it must be addressed. Nothing ruins a food-inspired manicure more than unsightly lines of dirt gathering under your nail bed, so true to its name, you'll whet your fashion appetite. So put down your scissors (or whatever else you've used before) and follow these steps!
1. Prepare a nail brush
Wooden Nail Brush , $5, Amazon
Beauty Heaven says there's nothing like a good nail brush to remove dirt. It works better than any object that scrapes away dirt, which may cause you to accidentally push dirt further or cause damage under the nail bed. The nail brushes from The Body Shop are my favorite. As far as nail brushes go, it’s affordable, sturdy, and very elegant.
2. Soak your hands
Before scrubbing, make sure your hands are clean and moist (er, damp). If you just rinse your hands quickly with water, you could damage your nail beds! My favorite time to clean my nails is in the shower because hello, my hands are guaranteed to be moist within a minute.
3. Scrub until clean
Beauty Heaven also details how to scrub. Squeeze a little antibacterial soap onto the brush and press it down to clean under your nails. Gently move it back and forth until all the dirt is removed and your nails will be sparkling.
4. Moisturizing
Moisturizing Hand Cream , $19, Amazon
After cleaning your nails, don't let soap and scrub dry them out. My current favorite hand cream is from Trilogy because it is a blend of natural vanilla and orange that smells so good!
Photo credits: myllissa, SCA Svenska Cellulosa Acktibolaget, Chiot's Run/Flickr
