SISTER SITES
The Fashion Spot Momtastic
FOLLOW US
Nails

The Surprising Reason Your Nails Look Like Crap

Here's a hint: It all comes down to cuticles

by Melanie Rud Chadwick  |  COMMENT

PHOTO 3/10
Push 'Em Back
Push 'Em Back So if cutting them is (most definitely) not an option, how do you ensure your cuticles don't grow out and start to cover your entire nail? Push them back, and do so daily. The best time is post-shower, when skin is soft and damp and cuticles are still pliable, notes Holford. You can do so with the tip of your towel, lightly rubbing the base of the nail in circular motions, she says. Alternately, you can use an orange stick (metal cuticle pushers are too harsh), like Tweezerman Manicure/Pedicure Sticks, $4.49. Still, be careful about how much pressure you apply and be supergentle, cautions Kallens. "Pushing too hard can damage the nail and create ridges and valleys in the nail plate, deforming the shape," she says. Work slowly and carefully, adding cuticle oil as you go to help keep the skin soft.

Image via Getty

SEE NEXT PAGE: Reach for Cuticle Remover
 

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

Read More

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage

Read More
products mentioned
Nails Inc Vitamin E Cuticle Oil Pen

0.0

As low as $0.00

BUY ON AMAZON
Desert Essence Organic Jojoba Oil

9.4

Tweezerman Manicure/Pedicure Sticks

0.0

As low as $0.00

BUY ON AMAZON
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Maximum Strength

7.5

Clarisonic Mia 2

9.1

As low as $19.99

BUY ON AMAZON
Yes To Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap

0.0

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

9.2

Kopari Organic Coconut Melt

0.0

BUY NOW
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

8.3

BUY NOW
more stories
This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign

Nails

This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign

Astro-Nail-ogy: Discover Your Perfect Nail Polish Based on Your Zodiac

Nails

Astro-Nail-ogy: Discover Your Perfect Nail Polish Based on Your Zodiac

Nail Exfoliation: The Missing Piece to Your Perfect Nail Care Routine

Nails

Nail Exfoliation: The Missing Piece to Your Perfect Nail Care Routine

leave a comment
Free Samples
Welcome to TotalBeauty.com!
Ready to unleash your inner beauty junkie? Enter your email and check the boxes below to get free samples, exclusive deals, discounts at Total Beauty Shops, and expert beauty tips delivered straight to your inbox!
Email to a friend



Cancel
monitoring_string = "e4ea8133a649aad124e80f99f8831005"