DIY:How to make your own cuticle cream

You only get one chance to make a first impression - and it takes only 30 seconds. Your appearance speaks volumes about you long before you even open your mouth. This is what forms the first opinions as we introduce ourselves. While dress is important, personal grooming and hygiene make the biggest impression. When you go on a blind date, the first thing you’ll likely notice is your date’s nails, teeth, hair, and smell, rather than what they’re wearing.

When it comes to grooming, it is easy to overlook our cuticles. It’s easy to assume that as long as our nails have nail polish, we’re good to go. However, if we ignore our cuticles, they can split, peel, get infected and result in hang nails. Hang nails are the little bits of skin that peel off and appear on the sides of your nails. They occur when the skin around the nails lacks oil supply due to the use of harsh soaps or detergents, or when you bite your nails, or if you have a vitamin deficiency. Sometimes hang nails can be quite painful, especially when they get infected due to improper care. Most of the time they just make your hands appear unkempt.

Cuticles are the part of the skin that protect the nail bed from infection and damage, therefore they are vital to healthy, beautiful hands. You can gently push your cuticles back, however, stay away from nail technicians who cut off your entire cuticle. When you take care of your cuticles, you can proudly leave your nails bare.

This natural cuticle cream will lead to nourished and beautiful nails.

Ingredients

Jojoba oil –(1/2 teaspoon) this is a waxy oil that draws moisture to the skin and protects it.

Vitamin E (5 drops) – helps to improve nail growth and maintain healthy nail colour.

Sweet almond oil (4 teaspoons) – this is a light carrier oil that’s rich in Vitamin E, oleic, and lanoleic acid, which help to retain moisture around the nail area.

Essential oils (3-5 drops) – help to increase vitamin E absorption.

Beeswax - 1 teaspoon

Small glass jar

Double boiler (pan with glass bowl)

Directions

Step 1 – Use a double boiler

Fill a small pan with water and bring it to boil. Place a glass bowl on top to make it a double boiler.

Step 2 – Mix the oils

In the glass bowl, add the sweet almond oil, jojoba and beeswax. I substituted Shea butter for beeswax as it is easier to obtain. Stir until its melted.

Step 3 – Essential oils

Remove the bowl from the heat and add the Vitamin E and lavender or a citrus oil.

Step 4 – Store

Pour it in a container and allow it to cool.

Step 5 – Usage

Apply a small amount on the nails and cuticles and massage for a few seconds. You can do this every few days, or as needed.

Did you know that royal etiquette favours clean, naked nails, rather than polished or fake nails? What do you think? Would you keep your nails bare?