Facts on nails

--Nails are dead cells & made of protein called keratin (like hair). The surface of a nail is called the nail plate.
--The cuticle is the skin that grows from the finger onto the base of the nail (nail root).
--Nail moons are found at the base of the nails. Small or no moons may indicate low metabolism while large moons may indicate an active metabolism.
--The average growth rate a day is 0.1 mm. Weather, activity, hormonal changes & age all have an effect on the rate of nail growth.
--With age nails tend to thicken, harden, grow slower & ridges appear.

Tips on Nail Care

** Wear gloves when washing the dishes or scrubbing dirt because immersing hands in water & coming into contact with chemicals found in most cleaning agents can make nails brittle.
** Apply a good hand & nail lotion on your hands & nails to protect & moisturize them. Dry nails tend to crack & split.
** Give a shine to the nails by massaging coconut oil or warm castor oil on them.
** File your nails instead of clipping them (unless you need to shorten a big part) at a 45-degree angle. A good clipping moment would be after a shower or bath where nails are much softer or you can also soak your hands in a bowl of lukewarm water first before you clip. Avoid filing deep into the corners.
** Remove all nail polish every week and allow nails to breathe.
** Dip a cotton-tipped swab in hydrogen-peroxide or clean under the nails, to whiten them.
** Before a manicure dip your nails in a cup of warm water with one tablespoon of lemon juice added to it.
** Vitamin C and Vitamin D are important for nails. So, lemon, orange, cabbage, milk are good food in this regard. Iodine improves blood circulation in the nails. So, iodine in any form may be good for nails.

Nail painting:

-- Painting nails can protect them from being damaged, to a certain extent. You see, colored nail polish blocks light from the nails & to some people, this would prompt fungal growth on their nails.
-- Give every nail 3 strokes of polish, starting either from the center-left-right or from right-center-left, it's really about preference.
-- Add a top coat (clear nail polish) to protect the polish & keep nail under wraps away from the sun.
-- Use acetone-free nail varnish remover. Acetone (alcohol) dries nails & can make them brittle over time.
-- A bottle of nail polish should be kept in a cool & dry place, out of the sun.

An all-star manicure:

Add some razzle dazzle to your nails when you most need a manicure but can't get one. Just polish your nails with a chip-resistent nail color and slick over a top coat. Then stick on a rhinestone or a swarovski crystal onto each nail or every other one to retain these starry nails for a bit, just seal your creativity with another layer of top coat. Walk in to a party feeling proud of your new-look nails.

--* Castor oil can work wonders for your eyes. Massage in some oil on your eyelashes and brows before you hit the sack and get those curling, dream eyelashes in months. As for the eyebrows, they will get thick and nice (avoid eyebrows in case you have bushy ones).

--* Cinnamon is not only a wonder spice it is a wonder beauty aid as well. When mixed with honey and applied on eyes, this is said to improve eyesight.

--* Powdered fenugreek and milk are said to tackle dark circles. Apply a paste of fenugreek mixed in milk on dark circles in the night. Wash off in the morning and watch dark circles vanish for good.

MAKE YOUR EYES RELAXED Here's some exercise to completely relax the eyes and the surrounding muscles

--* To rest the eyes, lift them occasionally from close work and look into the distance. Give rest to your tired eyes by applying two thin slices of cucumber as cool compress and relax as you do so.

--* Dip gauze. pads in light tea and keep on the tired eye for 15 minutes.

--* Apply gentle pressure on five points. Along the eyebrow, starting at the inner corner trace the pressure to the center of the brows and then the outer corner. The fourth point is located just beyond the outer corner of the eyes while the last point is below the eyes.

--* Splash cold water occasionally to eyes to relax them and bring back the sparkle to tired eyes.

To remove puffiness under the eyes, use raw potato paste sandwiched between two thin pieces, of (for each eye) and keep on the eyes for 20 minute. more on puffy eyes....

Don't of eye care

** Don't rub eyes frequently as this can cause an eye infection as few of us bother to wash our hands before touching our eyes.

** When you splash water do not do this furiously believing doing this will take away tiredness instead wash gently as splashing may hurtle the smallest dust particles or an allergen which may minutely damage the cornea.

** Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs to wipe eyes, as they are more hygienic.

* Don't sit near than 15 feet from the television and keep your book at least two feet away for stronger eye muscles.

** Use cream based eye makeup as powdery eye shadows can enter eyes and, cause irritation. Be very gentle in case you wear lenses.

** Avoid using aerosol products like hair spray if you wear lenses.

** Don't use your mascara for more than a year.

More tips and tricks on eyes care