Allen Smithee
Well-Known Member
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Long ago I heard that women looked at men's fingernails. I started doing something about it. A clip or bite just wasn't enough anymore.
I present you with Allan Smithee's guide to home manicure.
Tools you will need: Nail brush, nail clipper, nail file or emery board, cuticle pusher or similar device. Optional: cuticle cream, orange sticks, nail buffer.
I present you with Allan Smithee's guide to home manicure.
Tools you will need: Nail brush, nail clipper, nail file or emery board, cuticle pusher or similar device. Optional: cuticle cream, orange sticks, nail buffer.
- The biggest no-no is dirt under fingernails. If you're really filthy, you'll need to pick stuff out of there but a quick scrub while washing hands should be fine on most days. Finding a brush of adequate stiffness is surprisingly hard and I've found the Eppco brush sold at Sears to be best.
- Trim. Men's nails should be short. They should certainly not extend past the fingertip. Clip so that there is a bit of that white edge showing, but not much. Follow the curve of the fintertip as much as possible.
- Nail clippers leave sharp edges. Use a file to smooth them out and refine the shape. A few passes in either direction is all it takes. Don't file wet nails.
- That's the minimum. For bonus points, more detailing is required. On a working man, the cuticle is dry and scragly and has worked it's way up the nail. Soak, or at least rinse, in warm water to soften this up. If you have cuticle cream, apply it now.
- Now push the cuticle back away from the fingertip. There are dedicated cuticle pushers, little wood orange sticks, etc. I use the end of a file on a Swiss Army knife. A butter knife may work. Be gentle here. It should not hurt. It helps to pull the skin behind the nail while doing this.
- Another rinse and going over with a nail brush will remove loose particles.
- Buffing, in moderation, is nice. A nail buffer is basically a very fine grit on a foam board. Every drug store has them for a buck or two. Just rub across the nail a few times. You can go nuts and get very glossy results but a satin finish is probably better.
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