Ask Muffin! 9.14.2012

Erica M: "I don't know if it's just genetics/the way my nails grow, but the nails on both index fingers become really curved when I let them grow out. However, I have noticed that after I shower or do dishes, they have flattened out/uncurled. I'm just wondering a) why they do this/what causes this and b) is there anything I can do/use to try to keep them flattened out all the time? It doesn't hurt or anything, I'm just curious :)"

My biggest suggestion would be to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I found this extremely helpful page that probably explains everything way better than I ever could:

http://www.salongeek.com/health-safety-unatural/2632-curlingonysuckus.html

So it sounds like using some cuticle oil is really all you can do. I would try applying it directly after you've had your hands in any water for a while. I've heard that this will keep them in that nice shape a little bit longer. Other than that, I might try cutting them down to nubbins (I know, this sounds like terrible advice, I could never bring myself to do this) and give them a fresh start to grow out again.

Galactic Lacquer: "What are some good ways to get rid of staining on nails? Like both yellowing, and pigment stains (from blue polishes, notably). I've heard of a couple methods, but I'm wondering what's best in your opinion! :)"

There are a whole bunch of different ways to remove stains from nails, and it really just depends on what works for you. I know how much of a pain smurf nails and yellow nails can be, so here are a few solutions that I've heard of:

Lemon juice – This is the one I use the most often. I usually use the lemon juice from a bottle, poor a bit into a small bowl, and hold each hand in it for about five minutes. There are no dramatic results but it really does work. I've heard that using juice from a freshly squeezed lemon or cutting a lemon in half and sticking your fingers directly in it works even better.

Hydrogen peroxide – I've never tried this one. I've never felt like it would be a good idea to soak your nails in it for a long period of time. However, you can use a cotton swab to rub some around on your nails without any problems.

Brushing them with whitening toothpaste – another one I haven’t tried out, but it sounds like a pretty good idea. 

Buffing nails – This usually removes any stains that aren't too deep. It also gives your nails that wonderful shiny clean look. It’s nice and easy and doesn't involve the hassle of gathering together your lemon juice or whatever and soaking your nails for a while.

Nail products – I've seen a few yellow nails correcting products at Sally Beauty that would probably work. I haven’t used any because I've had success with the lemon juice, but I believe most of them would work pretty well.

I think I might make a post soon testing out all of the different ways I've heard to de-yellow-ify your nails. I'll definitely let you know when I do! :)

Ask Muffin!

Welcome to my first 'Ask Muffin!' Post! Every week, I'll make the 'Ask Muffin' post on both Facebook and Twitter, and give you a few hours to comment/respond. I'll then write out my best answers to each of the questions and post them here for everyone.

Kathryn P: “What does one do if their nails get really dry and chip after swimming? My nails are always horrendous during swim season, and I'm not sure how to fix it.”

Constant contact with water is always bad for your nails. You might hear to wear gloves when you wash the dishes, for the same reason. You can’t exactly wear gloves while swimming, though, so it’s really hard to stop that water from drying out your nails. What you can do is Counteract the drying effects of the water by keeping your nails moisturized. If you have the time I would suggest going to a store and buying cuticle cream, but if that’s not an option Vaseline works just as well. Every night before you go to bed, rub in a little Vaseline into each nail and let it sit overnight. You can even cover your hands with cotton gloves (even socks work!)to hold in maximum moisture if you’d like, but I always find that kind of uncomfortable.

I would also recommend painting on a clear base/topcoat once a week on each of your nails for an extra layer of protection. Make sure to “wrap” the tips of your nails and get the polish under them (depending on the length of your nails) to completely seal your nails and keep the water out.

If you’re still struggling with chipping nails, try taking a gelatin supplement. It will boost your protein and strengthen your nails a bit. If you’re too lazy to go out and buy it (a.k.a. me) sit down with a bowl of Jello every so often. I don’t know if it works as well or not, but it certainly tastes amazing!

Esther J: “What are some trendy toenail designs?”

Toes are really fun to paint, just because they aren’t noticed as much, which means you can really go crazy with your designs. But because they’re not noticed as much, you really need to make them ‘pop’ to get them the attention they deserve.

Therefore, I would definitely recommend using bright, fun colors. If you can pull off neons, then go for it! Using colors that match the seasons work really well, too. Try getting in some summery blues and greens before fall kicks in!

Your big toe is probably the only one large enough to put a design on, so make it count. Tape manis are a n easy way to get a professional look, and they take seconds to do. Throw in some glitter and metallics in there too!

One trend that I’ve seen a lot of this year is the whole gradient/ombre nail look. Try using a light and a dark color together to really make your toes stand out. Neons are also wonderful for a perky gradient, as well as glitter, although depending on the thickness, the latter can tend to be a little more difficult.

Other than that, nail art is always a go! Use your creativity to the max. Flowers, animals, foods, whatever! Nail art is always in style!