Whether you love traditional wet polish, Color Street nail polish strips, or press-ons, proper cuticle care is an important part of getting a clean-looking, long-lasting manicure.
First: Your Cuticle Isn’t the Skin Around Your Nail
There’s a little confusion around what we call the “cuticle.”
The cuticle is the thin layer of dead skin attached to the nail plate at the base of your nail.
The proximal nail fold is the living skin that borders the base of your nail.
This matters because the proximal nail fold should not be cut or removed. It’s part of your nail’s protective barrier, so cutting or damaging it can increase the risk of irritation and infection.
Why Does Cuticle Care Matter?
It Creates a Cleaner-Looking Manicure
Dry, ragged cuticles can make even a fresh manicure look less polished. Keeping the area moisturized and tidy can make a noticeable difference in the overall look of your hands.
It Helps With Nail Prep
Polish, nail polish strips, and press-ons all need a clean nail surface to adhere properly. Any excess cuticle sitting on the nail plate can get in the way. Products applied to the cuticles or the surrounding skin can contribute to lifting or premature wear.
It Keeps Your Hands Looking Healthy
A gorgeous manicure paired with dry, cracked skin around your nails? Not quite the finished look we’re going for. Regular moisture helps keep your cuticles and the surrounding skin soft.
Cuticle Care Before and After Your Manicure
The basic routine is pretty simple, no matter which type of manicure you prefer.
Before your manicure: Make sure your nails are clean and free of oils, lotion, and other residue. Gently clean up any excess cuticle on the nail plate. You can do this with a cuticle remover or a glass cuticle pusher. I do both – I use the cuticle pusher whenever I file my nails and the remover every month or so.
This is especially important for Color Street nail polish strips and press-ons because you want your product to adhere directly to the nail – not to the surrounding skin.
After your manicure: That’s when you can reach for your favorite cuticle oil or hand cream. Regular moisturizing helps keep the skin around your nails soft and looking its best between manicures.
Just remember: oil before application can interfere with adhesion, so save it for after your polish is completely dry or adhesive is set (in the case of press-ons).
A Few Simple Cuticle Care Habits
You don’t need an elaborate nail-care routine. A few simple habits can go a long way:
- Keep your cuticles and surrounding skin moisturized.
- Don’t bite, pick, or tear at your cuticles.
- Don’t cut the proximal nail fold.
- Keep your nails clean.
- Remove only loose or excess skin from the nail plate when needed.
- Give your nails a little extra attention before each new manicure.
And if you have a hangnail, don’t pull it! Carefully trim the loose piece with clean nail tools instead.
The Bottom Line
A great manicure starts before you apply the polish, nail strips, or press-ons.
Taking a few minutes for proper nail prep and regular cuticle care can help your manicure look cleaner and last longer. Healthy-looking cuticles + proper nail prep + your favorite polish/press-ons = pretty nails
P.S. Some links in this post are affiliate links. See disclosure here.
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