Nail Care 101: Best Nail Care Products

Nail Care Products are a very important part of your nail care routine. Having the best nail care products can make or break (pun intended) your nails. Last week I share my easy eight step nail care routine and I got so many comments, emails, and tweets asking for what products I used on a regular basis to keep my nails in shape and healthy so I thought it would be the perfect time to share my must have nail care products!

TOOLS

• Crystal Nail File – This is something I strongly advise you invest in, you can grab one for pretty cheap off of Amazon, Sephora or at any drugstore retailer! Some benefits in having a crystal glass file are they won’t wear down like emery board files, they’re permanently etched so they are long lasting; I have had mine for three years and it’s still as good as the first day. The most important benefit, for me, in having this type of file in my must have nail products is the fact that it is super gentle on your nails & won’t cause chipping or breaking. They’re easy to clean therefore making them super hygienic!
• Cuticle Nipper – I know that this is one nail care product that not everyone stand behind. They’ll tell you that cutting or pushing back your cuticles will cause infection and you shouldn’t do it! Sorry for them, I’m a rule breaker so when my cuticles get out of control I nip them right off and I have never in my life had an issue. My favorite one is the Sally Hansen Nip ‘Em On the Go Take-Along Cuticle Nipper which just so happens to be on sale at Walgreens for 50% off, that’s seriously an awesome deal!
• Nail Brush – This is one of my favorite nail care products, seriously it works so great in getting under your nails and cleaning out any dirt build up. Keeping your nails clean is something you want to make sure you’re doing to help keep them strong! I use one from Eco Tools that you can pick up at Walmart for under $5!
• Straight Edge Nail Clipper – I use a straight across nail clipper because I like to keep my nails squared. This cuts precisely with minimal damage to your nail and gives you the perfect square edge so you cut down on filing. My favorite is the Tweezerman Perfect Power Nail Clipper which you can grab at Walgreens!
• Nail Buffer – This is a great addition into your nail care routine, it’s four sided and usually each side will come with a number that indicates how to use it for filing, buffing, shining and polishing. I love how my nails look after I’m finished using this, super shiny!

• Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Cuticle Eraser + Balm – This stuff seriously rocks! I’m in love with it. It’s a combination remover and creme that quickly removes ragged cuticles as it conditions your nails. After using you’re left with healthy and beautiful cuticles that look much smoother. I use this three times a week as part of my nail care routine.
• e.l.f. Essential Nourishing Cuticle Pen – Let’s start with the price, just $1.00; that’s the absolute best part about this but not the only one! I have been using this pen forever, it’s actually one of the first things I ever reviewed here! It is my go-to cuticle treatment and I leave one on my nightstand, and one in my purse! It relieves dry nails and flaky cuticles in a super convenient sleek pen design. A no mess applicator adds to the pros of this product. Deeply hydrates, nourishes and seals in moisture to your nail and cuticle. The key ingredients Avocado and Almond Oils help to condition nails and cuticles for improved appearance. The result is softer, easy to manage cuticles and healthy hydrated nails.
• Lip Balm – Truth be told you can use any lip balm (believe me I have) for this but I enjoy the Dr. Lipp Nipple Balm because it’s jelly like and really adds in moisture. I use this before bed, and massage it in a bit and let it soak up over night. Lip Balms are great for treating your cuticles and I have used quite a few in parts of my routine.
• Oil – Most people use a specific cuticle oil for this part, but I’m hear to tell you that you don’t have to spend extra money just because something reads ‘cuticle’ on it. You can use any oil and still get the same moisturized results, yes any oil, I have even used olive oil to treat my cuticles! My favorite though is something that multi tasks, so I use the One N’ Only Argan Oil that is technically for hair on both my hair and nails!

STRENGTHEN 

• Barielle Nail Rebuilding Protein – I apply this as a base coat before any manicure or wear it on it’s own when I am rocking naked nails. It helps bond and strengthen weak nail layers. It’s also the perfect product to use for building up your nails after removing acrylic or gel nails.
• Barielle Nail Strengthening Cream – You massage this over your nails and cuticles daily, you can do it more often if your nails are especially damaged or you have just removed acrylic nails. This cream helps your nails resist splits, peels and breaks. You can even use it directly over your polish. I use it before bed each night.
• Nailtiques Formula 2 Protein – You can wear this on it’s own or with polish. It’s salon formula and I use this when my nails are particularly weak or brittle after using so much pure acetone remover. I recommend daily use if your nails are especially weak and decrease as they strengthen.

MOISTURIZE 

• Barielle Professional Protective Hand Cream – I just recently started using this, and by that I mean only a handful of times and I wasn’t originally going to include it; I immediately fell in love though. This stuff is super moisturizing, I used it in the morning and as I type this almost 7 hours later my hands are still super soft. This works great for anyone with dry, chapped hands. Protects your hands against water damage by forming an invisible shield. Using a moisturizer after each time you wash your hands will protect them from becoming too dry.
• Soap And Glory Hand Food – This is a cult favorite among beauty product lovers and it’s no different for me. Whenever someone asks for my favorite hand lotion, this will be at the top of the list. It’s a non-greasy formula which is perfect in a hand lotion, enriched with shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow to give your hands the softest feeling.
• L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream – A super-creamy balm that penetrates the skin quickly to protect, moisturize, and replenish dehydrated hands. I usually keep this by my kitchen sink and use it when I am finished doing the dishes. I absolutely love it. 

 

 

PERFECT PEDICURES

• Barielle Total Foot Care Cream – This is another that I just recently started using, and if you can over the strong baby powder scent (I love it) then it’s perfect for you. An Allure Beauty Winner, that helps condition and soften your skin, while eliminating calluses and healing chapped areas of your foot. Use this nightly and throw on a pair of socks to lock in the moisture and in the morning after showering.
• Pumice Stone – This works great during a nice foot soak to help eliminate dead and dry skin on the bottoms of your feet. I do a foot soak about once every week and use my pumice stone while soaking my feet.
• Dr. Scholls Spa Socks – After a good foot soak or to lock in moisture from a lotion before bed, these socks are perfect, thick and comfy! Hate wearing socks to bed? Cut of the front so it’s just enough to cover your heels!
• Blow Up Foot Tub – I just love the ease of this, blow it up fill it with some gentle hand soap and luke warm water and soak your feet once a week for about 20 minutes to help cut down on dry cracked heels. You can grab one from Amazon for under $10. It’s perfect for spa time!
• Aquaphor Healing Ointment – I talked about my love for this stuff in my treating your feet post and my opinion has not changed. This is a super moisturizing jelly lotion that works almost instantly to relieve dry, chapped, and cracking heels. I suggest using this once a week or more depending on the extent of your heel dryness.
• Julep Pedi Prep and Foot File – This tiny kit is perfection. The no mess roll on applicator helps soften feet and calluses for use with the foot file to exfoliate the dead skin off from the bottom of your feet.

What are your must have nail care products?