You've got it right, haven't you? For perfect nail beauty, cuticles are the crucial yet underestimated element. To get a nail that's bigger, more beautiful, more suitable for nail polish... You need to take care of your cuticles (or call in a professional manicurist). Here's a closer look at how to grow your cuticles. We're off!

How do you grow cuticles yourself?

Yes, you want those elegant, feminine hands, don't you?

You've tried it all: hand care for moisturized skin, a base coat to strengthen the natural nail, colored varnish to enhance the hand... In short, you're determined to achieve an exceptional manicure, whatever the cost.

But did you know that cuticles can change everything?

By taking care of your cuticles, your nails will look longer, finer and more beautiful. Let's take a look at how to look after your cuticles. But first, a few details.

What are cuticles?

Let's get back to basics. What are cuticles?

A cuticle is the junction between the skin and the nails on the hands or feet. Cuticles grow in the same way as hair and skin regenerate.

The cuticle is actually a layer of cornea, epidermis and water. It develops in the form of a transparent plate at the base of the nail, protecting the nail root. That's why it' s not advisable to cut and remove the cuticle; pushing it back is more than enough.

What are cuticles good for?

As you can see, cuticles protect nails and, above all, the junction between nail and skin. The cuticle protects against dirt, dust, bacteria and other intrusions from the outside. In other words, it helps prevent infections.

However, from an aesthetic point of view, the presence of too much cuticle hinders the application of varnish.

Worse still, cuticles "shorten" the nail, making the hand look less elegant.

Cuticle-growing equipment

Now that cuticles are a thing of the past, here's what you need to push back your cuticles without harm or damage.

• a bowl

• warm to hot water

• cuticle remover

• a nail file

Is that all? Yes, ma'am, perfectly.

How to regrow cuticles

Here's how it's done:

1. fill a bowl with warm to hot water

2. Soak your fingers (nails and cuticles) for 1 to 5 minutes (be careful not to scald yourself!).

3. Remove fingers from bowl: cuticles are softened. Dry nails.

4. take the cuticle pusher and gently push the cuticles towards the skin to enlarge the base of the nail. Be careful not to press too hard or damage the nail. Use the stick at an angle to avoid being too direct in your manipulation.

5. then use a cuticle cutter to remove any dead bits of skin

6. apply a special nourishing cuticle oil(like this one).

That's all there is to it!

But be careful with your handling: never cut cuticles with a nail clipper, and don't go too far with the stick either.

The aim is toenlarge the base of the nail, but not to weaken or damage either the skin or the nail itself. If you use nail clippers, you can weaken and even attack the fine, fragile skin at the base of the cuticles.

To get the essentials fordoing your own manicures: click here.

L'équipe Velvet Extension.