Our hands and nails have been through the ringer in the last couple of years. All that constant washing, sanitising and blow drying of our hands, while keeping us safer from spreading and contracting germs, has led to skin dehydration and the degradation of our nail health. Hands are already under pressure with exposure to the elements and all the hard work they do, so how do you restore balance and keep them healthy?
Hand and nail repair
It can’t be left up to a slick of nail varnish to mask poor nail and hand health. Nourishment and daily care for hands and nails are key to making the most of your manicure especially when using colour varnish. Here is a list of happier hands must dos:
· Use a cuticle oil: it delivers essential nutrients needed to nourish, hydrate and protect the hands and nails from dryness, while also softening the cuticles. Adorn’s new Hand & Cuticle Oil Elixir naturally nourishes, heals and protects from external aggressors through the combined action of organic oils used like grapeseed, avocado and rosehip.
· Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise: always keep a moisturiser close by; in the kitchen, bathroom, nightstand, car or at your desk. Multiple applications throughout the day will deliver the necessary hydration to combat the never-ending demand on your hands. Store Adorn’s Hand & Body Moisturising Souffle in your nightstand to give your hands a little pamper before bedtime. Infused with Patchouli and Ylang Ylang it absorbs quickly into the skin and delivers an airy, butter-soft texture for overnight skin recovery.
· Glove up: use gloves when washing up, working in the garden or cleaning bathrooms and wet areas to protect your hands and nails from damaging chemicals. Even apply our Hand & Body Moisturising Souffle before slipping them into gloves to allow the souffle to soak well into the skin.
· Apply a sunscreen: As skin is thinner on the back of the hands, any exposure to the sun will fast track wrinkles and age spots. Rub our Australian Made Adorn Tinted 50+ Mineral Sunscreen on the back of your hands to slow damaging effects of the sun and hydrate the skin.
Nails
Supple, hydrated skin and nails act as the perfect canvas for beautiful nail colour, and thankfully nail varnish formulations have come a long way to complement all the pure ingredients we strive to use, that work with oils that naturally occur in our nails.
1. Goodbye toxic chemicals
Many traditional nail polish formulations contain known harmful substances, like formaldehyde, camphor and toluene. Adorn has been able to omit 10 toxic ingredients from their nail varnish formulations to make it truly Toxic Free.
2. Healthier nails
Nails keep ‘hydrated’ by their natural oils. It’s what keeps them flexible and healthy. Ye’ old traditional nail polish can trap these oils and weaken nails. ‘Breathable’ nail polish allows the natural movement of oil through, and then off the nail. This means your nails stay beautifully hydrated but don’t become overly soft or weak.
3. Manicures for days
While we’re talking about oils; when you have a build-up of oil on your nails your polish can’t ‘grip’ to it. And when you’re nail polish doesn’t grip, you get chips. Lots of them, frustratingly quickly. Breathable nail varnish makes for a stronger, longer lasting manicure.
4. Breathe easy between looks
If you’re looking to give your nails a little rest between wears, but want to maintain their length and strength, our Breathable Top Coat makes for a great clear coat. Adorn nail varnish is durable and allows your nails to breathe reducing the risk of nail conditions and discolouration.
5. Quick dry time
As air can penetrate through your nail varnish, the dry time is reduced. Less time to wait. Less time for dents and smudges to happen as you get bored waiting. You will be on your way and making the most of your day in minutes.
Pro Tip : How to 'bump-proof' your nail polish. Apply 2-3 coats and allow your nail polish to dry for a minute or two, then apply Adorn's cuticle oil to the nail. Do not rub it in. Allow the oil to sit on the nail as this creates a slip and helps prevent against knocks and bumps from smudging your nail varnish.
