This is why we would all like to have nice nails, but it can be difficult to find the time to take care of your manicure. In spite of that, you can get your nails done even if you have only little time.

Start with gathering the supplies that you need. This way you will be able to work faster.The best solution is to have a manicure bag that has everything that you might need, such as nail clippers, cuticle remover, paper towel, favorite nail colors, cuticle oil, nail file, cuticle stick, base coat and clear top coat.

Once you are done with the supplies, grab a small bowl and fill it with warm water.

Shape the nails

The first thing that you need to do is to clip the nails to the desired shape and length. When you are done with this you should file the nails to get rid of the scratchy edges.

To prevent the nails from chipping, you should file them up and towards the center. All this should take about 45 seconds.

Softening the cuticles

Dip the nails in warm water for about a half of minute. Then remove them from the water and dry them with the paper towel. While the cuticles are still moist, apply the cuticle remover according to the directions found on the bottle and using the cuticle stick, lightly press back each cuticle.

You should be careful not to press too hard so that you won’t damage them. The time allocated for all this is of about 45 seconds.

Applying the base

The base is very important to keep the nails healthy and also to help the nail polish adhere so that your manicure will last longer. Also this way the nail polish could be applied more smoothly. You should be done with the base coat in about 90 seconds.

Color, color, color

In case you don’t have a lot of time for your manicure, you should apply a single coat of nail polish. It is a good idea to opt for a light color because it is easier to hide the imperfections this way. In case you would like to achieve a professional looking manicure, you should apply several coats, but allow each of them to dry before applying the next one.

Time for topping

Once the nail polish has dried on the nails, you should apply the top coat. This will help you seal the color and chipping won’t occur that fast either. This will save you time in the future, because the manicure will last longer.

In case you still have some time left, you could also apply the cuticle oil to help them stay moisturized and healthy. Also if you have more time and you would like to have nice nails, there is an extra step that you could add to the process: buffing.

The Ombre Manicure

One of the hot new nail trends to emerge is something called the Ombre Nail Trend or Ombre Nails or whatever it is that the fashionistas are calling. The Ombre Manicure is something that you either love or hate and is apparently one of the hot trends for this Summer/Spring season of 2011.

The style is popularized by TV personality, author and fashion designer Lauren Conrad and it involves doing your nails in different colors.

Not only does each nail have a different color, but the color also goes from light to dark, a gradation of color if you like.

Chanel’s Mimosa Yellow Nail Paint

Now admittedly fashion house of Chanel is arguably one of the biggest trendsetters in the world, so when their models turned up on the runway in a nail paint shade called Mimosa Yellow, people sat up and took notice.

So if yellow is the color of nails this season, we wonder how many of us would prefer to be untrendy?

Crackle Finish Nail Art

Another hot new designer nail trend is Crackle finish nail art, as sported by rockstar Katy Perry and tennis player Serena Williams.

This is apparently the must have nail look that gives that ‘shattering’ impression – a crackled or marbled effect of a contrasting color over a different color below – now if we were being unkind we could just say that this looks like really badly chipped nail polish but the trendy teen crowd is all gaga about this new look.

The Gel Manicure / Gel Nail polish

The gel nail polish or the Shellac Manicure is just a very good idea because it is just a lot longer lasting than your regular nail polish. So if you have the kind of hard working hands that slave over a hot stove or tap away incessantly at a computer keyboard, then this may be just the thing for you.

The gel content in the nail paint is what gives it its longer lasting hue without chipping. After application, when exposed to UV light, it dries immediately, and offers a high gloss finish for a longer duration. Bright summer color options means that you can have fresh looking and impeccable nails for longer.

The first step is to remove your nail polish, but if you are using darker nail polish it will take you at least 2 days for complete removal.

In case you are a smoker, your finger nails are surely yellow. One of the home remedies you can use is whitening with lemon juice.

The lemon juice is known as “natural bleach”; therefore use it to whiten your nails. Rub the juice to the nails and wait for 5 minutes.

Brush the nails with soft brush; it can be an old tooth brush. Another good option is to mix water and lemon juice in a cup. Soak your nails at least for 15 minutes and you will have whiter nails.

If this doesn’t work, go for real bleach, but you should be extremely careful as it needs to be on your nails no more than 2 minutes, otherwise it will destroy the natural polish of the nails.

Try whitening toothpaste, in case you don’t want to use any bleach. Brush the nails with the paste as you brush your teeth. But do it for nearly 15 minutes.

Popularly known as fashion nails or nail extensions, artificial nails act as fashion accessories for natural fingernails.

They may either look as near as possible to natural nails, or they may be totally different. They can be made from a variety of materials – acrylic, UV gel, fiberglass and silk.

Acrylic nails are the most common, most durable and the strongest of all artificial nail types.

They can be made to look thin and natural, but if not applied correctly, they can become thick and look fake. UV gel nails are a more expensive type, but they require less maintenance than acrylics.

However, they are less durable and can only be removed by filing or leaving them to grow out with the natural nail.

Fiberglass, silk or linen wraps are the types of nails for women who may have allergies to the chemicals of acrylic or UV gel nails. The material is cut to fit the natural nail and sealed using a resin or glue. Strength, length and flexibility are thus added to the natural nail; however, wraps are not as invincible to active wear and tear as acrylic nails.

Women use artificial nails for varied reasons; more often than not they just want to cover up their short, damaged, or altogether bad-looking nails. Some women may also want beautiful nails without having to work at maintaining them; they either don’t have the time or the inclination to go regularly to a nail salon.

Others want to kick themselves of the habit of nail-biting. Still others just want to protect their nails from breakage or splits. Artificial nails will not damage the natural nails if applied or removed correctly by a manicurist or nail expert.

Contrary to popular belief, artificial nails need regular trips to the manicurist for touch-ups to prevent the artificial nail from separating from the natural nail and its bed, or to fill in gaps while the natural nail is growing out.

Artificial nails also carry some health risks, both to the wearer and the manicurist applying or removing them. Residues from acrylic resins have been found to cause redness and swelling, pain, and even severe allergic reactions.

Water can also get trapped under an artificial nail when it lifts from the natural nail, which can cause fungus to form and the nail to turn green. The glue and solvents used with artificial nails are also toxic, and may cause severe medical reactions if swallowed accidentally or if inhaled.

It takes time, treasure and patience to have beautiful nails.  However, it can be worth it in the end.

• Your nails may have evolved originally as weapon of defense or offence and as a rudimentary tool to pick apart and pry open things, however try not to use your nails for all of this stuff. Protect them from the damage that can occur from this.
• Don’t cut or bite the cuticle. It can cause infection and also damage the nail bed in some cases. Sometimes when you go for a manicure the salon attendant may use a special implement to trim your cuticles, which does admittedly give a neater, cleaner look, but which can come at a cost: it can cause infection as well so may be best avoided.
• When you go for a nail manicure, ensure that the tools and implements used in the salon are clean and sterilized failing which there are many infections that can spread from other customers or from technicians to you.
• Also it goes without saying that you should save your nails from the kind of abuse that comes from biting.
• Feed your nails appropriately: zinc and calcium are good for the nails so eat a diet that is rich in these nutrients. Increase protein intake and fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish and eggs in your diet. Apples, asparagus, brown rice, cucumbers, garlic, grapes, liver, nuts, onions, salmon, seeds, soy, tuna and whole grains are all good for you and for your nails as well.
• Lower consumption of saturated fats and also cut down on sugar and alcohol.
• Keep nails short and neat and if you have a chipped nail, don’t ‘tear’ it off, rather clip it off.
• Moisturize your nails, to keep them from becoming brittle and prone to breakage.
• Acetone, which is what most nail polish removers are made of, dries out the nails, so use remover sparingly, don’t drench your nails in it; rather use a small amount on bit of cotton wool. Also don’t use it more than twice a month.
• Avoid artificial nails; the kind you stick on to your real nails. They may look good for a while, but they can result in fungal infection and destruction of the underlying nail.

Take care of these few things and you can enjoy pretty hands and lovely nails. While it may not immediately transform you into a hand model, your nails won’t at least be an eyesore!

Well it helps to know something about our nails since they indicate your state of good health or bad, and can also be indicators of factors such as respiratory disease or chronic bronchitis or even stress.

Nails consist of laminated layers of a protein called keratin which is also present in the skin and hair.

Nails have evolved in order to protect our finger tips, to use as tools or weapons and also to improve dexterity of our fingers.

Our nails consist of five basic components: (a) the nail bed, which is the main part of the nail that you see, (b) the cuticle that is what overlaps the nail plate and which protects the new growing nails, (c) the nail folds which is the skin that frames the nails, (d) the nail bed which is the skin below the nail plate and (e) the Lanula which is the half moon shape at the base of the nail.

How do they indicate Good Health?

While a good many nail conditions are harmless, there are many that may be indicative of a disease or a disorder. Sometimes nail problems can signal malnutrition that can occur typically from certain eating disorders. Brittle nails and peeling nails are a sign of stress.

Lines, spots and ridges could also appear due to stress or perhaps they could owe themselves to aging in due course. Some spots and marks may be due to injury and which will grow out with time. Remember that nails grow at the rate of .1 millimeter a day, so it takes between 3 and 6 months for a nail to fully re-grow.

While some kinds of nail discoloration could be caused by certain kinds of nail enamel or lacquer, sometimes a yellowish discoloration could appear when one is suffering from a respiratory condition like chronic bronchitis.

There can also be discoloration when the nails develop a bacterial or yeast infection. Nails can also be indicative of several skin conditions and reactions to certain medications.

Injury or certain kinds of illnesses can also reflect in the nails in a condition called Beau’s lines which appear when the nail under the cuticle stops growing.

So if there is anything unusual about your nails of late, it may be a condition that you would do well not to ignore, since it could be indicative of a more serious problem.

If you were to look at them under a microscope the story would be very different and we would realize just how bad this is for the healthy function of the nails.

As well as a multitude of small breaks and tiny chips the biggest risk we take is introducing bacteria which lead to infection.

Most infections of the nail are fungal and notoriously difficult to eliminate. The most obvious sign are yellow nails which eventually turn brown and sometimes even black.

Women in particular who always wear nail polish will hardly notice such infections as they are constantly hidden. Nail polish itself is not good for the nails so it should be removed thoroughly between applications. Health is much more important than being a victim of fashion and the current new color trend.

Artificial nails need to be treated with caution, here too infections can be hidden away under layers of glue, and the chemicals that are contained in these various adhesives that are used in the industry are by their nature very strong.

Great care should be taken and the health implication considered before going down this route that promises beautiful healthy nails but at a cost.

Never attempt to fix artificial nails yourself, always consult a professional technician as the risk of infection can be very high. Always get cuts and scratches checked out rather than just sticking over a band-aid.

The best way to keep your nails looking beautiful and in tip top condition is cleaning. Trim them on a regular basis and do not let them get too long, this will prevent dirt getting trapped.

Get into the habit of using gloves for as many activities as possible which will not only protect your nails but also your hands.

You should apply exactly the same routine to your toe nails which are even more prone to fungal infections. After a long day stuck inside tight fitting shoes and sticky socks make sure they are allowed to breathe without anything but fresh air. Use a good deodorant and check for early signs of infection.

As with most things a well balanced diet combined with a regular exercise routine will also benefit your nails and the consumption of plenty of protein will promote strong healthy bones as well as nails.

Side effects can be minor—headaches, stomach upset, rashes, for example—to quite serious—liver damage, liver failure, heart failure, etc.

If you are on an oral antifungal medication you will need regular blood tests for liver and kidney function.

You should also know that the treatment period for oral antifungal medications is from 6 weeks to 18 months depending on where the fungus is and how hard it can be to treat. Taking an oral antifungal medication is not like taking a simple antibiotic prescription.

If you have nail fungus, there are natural treatment alternatives. Many people have reported success using Vicks VapoRub; this ointment, popular for relieving nasal congestion and coughing, should be applied to the affected nail. Others have reported success applying a small amount of tea tree oil directly to the affected nail.

There are a number of substances which can be mixed with water and then used to soak the affected nail. These include apple cider vinegar, baking soda, Listerine mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine bleach.

After soaking the nail, let it air dry when possible. Several of these—vinegar, mouthwash, and hydrogen peroxide—can be applied directly to the nail in question using a cotton ball.

Another natural alternative is cinnamon. Cinnamon sticks can be simmered in water to produce a soak for the affected nail, and if the feet are affected, you can also sprinkle ground cinnamon in your shoes.

Whatever alternative treatment for nail fungus you choose, remember that it takes a while for nail fungus to be cured. Be patient and consistent, and you will see results.

If your nails are down to the quick then you are probably a nail biter. This is what some people do when things get on their nerves.

Sometimes our nails are not strong enough and they split or break.

A person’s cuticles and nails can start to peel and become uncomfortable. Another annoying problem can be slow growing nails. Whatever your nail problems are there is usually a solution for them.

Nail Biting

Nail biting is a really big problem for a lot of people. You probably have been biting your nails for a very long time. At least you are not alone in this habit.

This is very common when it comes to nail problems. Anxiety is the big culprit when it comes to this problem.

You don’t want ugly nails but you just can’t seem to help yourself. One solution you can try for this common nail problem is to purchase a bottle of horrible tasting nail biting liquid made especially to help nail biters.

Apply the liquid first thing in the morning to your nails and cuticles. You can reapply it anytime that it wears off. This nail biting liquid will taste bad in your mouth and it will help you to stop biting your nails because you won’t like the taste.

Try chewing on something else when anxiety takes over such as gum or hard candy.

Brittle Nails

Do you find your nails are splitting and breaking too easily? If this is the case then you have brittle nails. Washing your hands continuously or having a job that is rough on your nails will cause you to have brittle nails.

First, you need to understand what is causing your nail problems. Gloves can be the key to saving your brittle nails. You should wear rubber gloves while you are washing dishes, or doing any work that keeps your hands in water.

Wearing work gloves is a necessity for people who do manual types of labor. Another way to prevent your nails from becoming brittle is to keep them clipped and in good condition.

There are brittle nail solutions that you can purchase at your pharmacy for the nail problems you are having.

Peeling Cuticles

Peeling cuticles can be one of many nail problems that are embarrassing. These peeling cuticles can become painful if you try to peel them off. Instead you should try soaking your cuticles in hot water.

Push back your cuticles until you see the half-moon on the top of your fingernail. You can also put enough hand cream on your cuticles to soften the peeling skin. You may want to put gloves on overnight to keep the hand cream on.

Slow Growing Nails

Vitamins and hydration are really important when trying to grow nails faster. Calcium, Protein, and vitamin A are all good vitamins to take that will help in this process.

You might consider taking a multi-vitamin or using products with vitamins that you can apply directly to the nail.

All of these solutions are sure to help you with your nail problems.

Nail polish plays an important role when it comes to the beauty care of your nails.

You have to pay attention while putting on your nail polish as it enhances beauty of your nails and makes them look more elegant.

The most important factor is you should make sure that you remove your nail polish, if present on your nails, before you apply another color to your nails. The essential steps to apply nail polish mainly include:

Step 1: Select the nail polish you would like to apply and make sure that it is not more than two months old as the out dated nail polishes may harm your nails and makes them look life less.

Step 2: Clean your nails with a nail remover and apply the moisturizer thoroughly to your hands weekly twice as it will help in growth of your nails.

Step 3: You should always apply a single base coat first and let them dry for at least 10 minutes or put them into cold water which helps in quick drying.

Step 4: Precaution should be taken to avoid the skin contact that is the nail polish should be perfectly applied to the nails only.

Step 5: You should give the second coat and let it dry for 20 minutes so that the nail polish will be long lasting on your nails.