Nail polish isn't for everybody—possibly you merely don't like the upkeep, otherwise you simply desire the look of unpolished nails; others have a tough time conserving polish intact because of their job or life-style. No matter your cause for preferring naked nails, know that falling into this camp shouldn't preclude you from shaping, buffing, and sustaining the information of your fingers and toes. Doing so results in a clear, manicured look and more healthy nails, no lacquer mandatory. Forward, your full information to polish-free manicures and pedicures.
Associated: Methods to Give Your self the Good At-Residence Manicure
Take away Polish
Swipe it off with an essential-oil-rich answer, like Sundays Pr 01 Soy polish remover ($28, dearsundays.com). It'll take a number of extra passes to do the job than an acetone method would, however the oils will depart your nails nourished, says Shelagh Wong, basic supervisor at Smith & Cult. As an alternative of cotton balls, enlist hand-washable Base Coat Take Off Reusable Nail-Polish-Remover Pads ($14 for six, basecoatnailsalon.com).
Credit score: Courtesy of Loccitane
Slough and Form
Our consultants agree: You must skip the soak. "Water depletes pure fat within the nail keratin," says Suzanne Shade, founding father of nail-care model Naked Arms. Clean foot calluses with a rasp, and therapeutic massage L'Occitane Shea Butter One-Minute Hand Scrub on dry digits ($24, loccitane.com). Trim your nails, then even the ends with a 180-grit emery board, says celeb nail artist Tom Bachik. Or go for glass, he says: OPI Crystal Nail File ($12, ulta.com) is a washable, reusable possibility.
Look after Cuticles
Like gatekeepers round your nails, they seal out micro organism, so slicing them too deeply opens the door to an infection, says Bachik. It will probably additionally sign trauma to the physique, triggering thick regrowth. As an alternative, soften them with 10+Free Non-Poisonous Lemon Cuticle Remover ($18, 10freelife.com) earlier than pushing them again with Sally Magnificence Stone Eraser Cuticle Remover ($3, sallybeauty.com). Then fastidiously nip hangnails.
Seal in Shine
Now for the enjoyable half: Working from the grittiest aspect to the best, sweep a four-way buffer throughout every nail to whisk away unevenness and gloss the floor, says New York Metropolis manicurist Christina Grant; attempt the Deborah Lippmann Clean Operator ($12, sephora.com). For a protect of protecting hydration, brush on Naked Arms Cuticle Oil ($21 for 2 tubes, barehands.us), a mix of moisturizing jojoba and castor oils.
