Health & Beauty > Hand & Foot Care > The Perfect Manicure

PLEASE NOTE:

Although all the ingredients in these beauty recipes are natural, remember that it is still possible to be allergic to anything applied to the skin. DO NOT USE ANYTHING NUT BASED ON YOUR SKIN IF YOU HAVE A NUT ALLERGY. To test other ingredients make up a very small amount of the recipe you intend to use. Wash and gently dry a small patch of skin inside your elbow. Apply a little of the mix to the skin and leave for 48 hours. If you experience any redness or swelling DO NOT USE THE BEAUTY RECIPE AT ALL.

Please read Herbal Safety Guidelines before trying any of these recipes, since some ingredients should be avoided by certain groups of people.

Many essential oils and herbs should always be avoided by pregnant/nursing ladies. Check with a qualified health advisor if in doubt.

The Perfect Manicure

Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs offers a wide range of dried herbs and spices.


A quick guide to pampering your hands. Make this a weekly treat for your hands and it will soon pay dividends with softer hands and longer, stronger nails. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 bowl warm soapy water
1 bowl warm plain water
1 good emery board
cotton wool buds
cuticle cream
hand cream
small clean towel
few drops olive oil

Method

- Soak your nails in the soapy water for 5 minutes.
- Ease any dirt from under the nails with a cotton wool bud.
- Rinse nails in plain water.
- Dry hands and nails on a towel.
- Use the course side of the emery board to reduce the length of your nails if required.
- Shape your nails, filing away from the hand in one direction only.
- Do not file into the corners of your nails.
- Smooth your nails with the fine side of the emery board.
- Gently massage the cuticle cream into your cuticles.
- Very gently push back the cuticles, if necessary, using a cotton bud.
- Massage a little olive oil into your nails.
- Massage your hands with a generous amount of hand cream.