5 nail technicians on how they keep their nails healthy
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SWISSE WELLNESS PTY LTD.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN ANN COLLANTE
STYLING BY JAM BAYLON
MAKEUP BY GRETA KEDDIE
WORDS BY MAGGIE ZHOU
Your nails deserve some TLC, too.
The satisfaction of having my nails done is incomparable. Immaculate shaping and pristine painting make me feel on top of the world. If you’ve had your cuticles cared for, you know what I’m talking about.
But then comes the time, three or four weeks after having my nails pampered, when they return to their original state. Polishless and naked, they remind me of Cinderella after midnight. But short and natural nails are one of 2023’s biggest nail trends, so it’s time to pay attention to nail health.
For more wellness advice, head on over to our Health section.
From nipping your biting habit in the bud to taking supplements targeting skin, nails and hair (like Swisse Beauty’s Multivitamin Beauty Complex), these are five Melbourne-based nail technicians’ best advice on keeping your nails healthy.
Chelsea Bagan, she/her
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For me, I think consistency is key. I make sure I have manicures at regular intervals with gel polish or builder gel to give them an added layer of protection. I also apply cuticle oil daily (my preference is pure jojoba oil). This can move through the layers of gel and into the nail to reduce chipping and keep the nail hydrated. It also nourishes the nail matrix where your nail health and growth are determined.
Naraya (Naya) Latinisha, she/her
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I started by taking multiple different hair, skin and vitamin supplements until I saw a difference in the quality of my nail growth. Builder gel is also super beneficial for protecting my natural nails and allows them to grow out long and healthy. That’s with regular maintenance and applying cuticle oil that’s enriched with vitamins and hydrating ingredients every day.
Shinae Caruso, she/her
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I keep it simple with regular maintenance and cuticle oil. I’m lucky enough to be able to do my nails every two weeks and in between, I always use cuticle oil and remember my nails aren’t tools!
Cuticle oil helps keep your nails looking fresh, promotes nail growth and hydrates the surrounding skin. Well-hydrated nails are easier for your nail tech to service and keep your manicure looking better for longer.
I like to keep my nails on the short to medium side as I’m always working on other people’s nails and don’t want them to get in the way. If your nails are brittle, bendy or prone to break easily, I’d recommend keeping them a shorter square or squoval shape to minimise the risk of breakage.
Lately, I’ve been embracing my natural nails with a builder-in-a-bottle overlay and a sleek and sassy pointed almond shape!
Anna Tran, she/her
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There are four things I tell my customers often. The first is moisturising. A nice, thick hand cream and good quality cuticle oil can help combat issues like brittleness, cracking cuticles and hangnails, and will promote healthy nail growth.
My second piece of advice is to wear gloves when doing the dishes or cleaning. Water can be quite drying for your nails and so dehydrated nails will split and break.
If you wear nail extensions, dehydrated nails can curl away from the extension meaning your nails don’t last as long as they should. Cleaning products can strip the natural oils away from your nails and are just far too harsh.
Use a base coat. Base coats provide a clear barrier between your nail and the colour polish so that your nails are protected and don’t become stained. Lastly, don’t bite and don’t pick your nails, ever!
Grace Bell, she/her
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For my clients, I achieve long-term healthy nails by using the Apres Gel-X soft gel system. The nails have pre-formed resilient tips which are adhered to the natural nail with a durable gel and are then cured under a UV lamp.
They’re a mega slay because they’re more gentle than alternative nail extensions but still provide you with long-lasting three-week-plus manicures. Hot tip: a medium almond shape accentuates your hands super elegantly. Then when it comes to shoots, I only ever use Blu-Tack on the nails for temporary use.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
To learn more about Swisse Beauty’s Multivitamin Beauty Complex, head here.
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