How to Have Shiny Nails Without Nail Polish

While many people claim that a clear coat of nail polish not only makes nails shiny and strong, the truth is that polish is full of harsh chemicals and creates a barrier which blocks oxygen, moisture and nutrients from reaching the nails. If you really want strong, healthy nails, it's best to forget the polish. There are a few ways to get your nails shiny and beautiful without it.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Olive oil
• Buffer block

Instructions

1. Dip a cotton ball in olive oil and apply an even layer to your nails. Allow the olive oil to set for about five minutes to help moisturize the skin and the top layer of your nails and loosen dead skin cells.

2. Use a nail buffer block to shine your nails. Buffer blocks small rectangular blocks with four sides. Each side has a different grade of sandpaper like material. The coarsest side works like a nail file, while the other three sides are used to buff nails to shiny perfection.

3. Leave the olive oil on your nails and use the second coarsest side of the buffer block to gently massage away and smooth the ridges in your nails. Use light, circular motions working evenly over the nails until smooth. If the olive oil wears off at any point, reapply a light layer.

4. Remove all of the ridges and then move to the third coarsest side of the buffer block, working out any scrapes or fine imperfections. Finish with the finest side of the buffer block, smoothing your nails to a shine. Finish with a final application of olive oil, massaging it well into the cuticles and skin around the nails.

Tips & Warnings

• After use, soak your buffer block in warm sudsy water to remove the olive oil and then leave it in the sun to dry.