How to Use Oil for Manicures

The term cuticle refers to the tissue that overlaps your nail at its base. Cuticles protect new cells that slowly emerge from the nail bed and allow your nails to grow properly. Therefore, keeping your cuticles moisturized and healthy is an important part of nail care. One way to ensure a healthy cuticle is to use oil as a moisturizer during a manicure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cuticle oil
• Towel
• Two small bowls (optional)
• Nail polish brush
• Orange stick

1. Purchase cuticle oil. There are many different types to choose from. Solar oil is a blend of vitamin E, jojoba, almond oil and rice bran oil. Some manicurists recommend apricot oil, and some people like Sally Hansen's Vitamin E Moisturizing Nail and Cuticle Oil.

2. Place about 1/2 inch of cuticle oil in each of two small bowls. It is a good idea to place a towel under the bowls to protect the surface of the table where you are working.

3. Submerge your clean hands in the oil, covering your nails and cuticles. Soak for three to five minutes.

4. Wipe the excess oil from your nails and push back the cuticles with an orange stick. They will be easy to manipulate because they are soft, but it is still important to be careful so you don't damage the nail bed.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cuticles are dry and brittle, you can moisturize them between manicures. Some cuticle oils come with a nail polish brush that you can use to apply the oil in the morning and the evening.
• Cotton gloves are available that allow you to apply oil to your nails and hands and sleep comfortably while your nails are being moisturized.