http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-natural-manicure.html
The Natural Manicure
By Annie B. Bond
Nails can be beautiful without polish. I once had my nails “done” in a natural way at a salon for a television show where my hands would be very visible. I’ve outlined, below, how it was done.
The fumes from the solvents in nail polish can be overwhelming, and they are not good for you. There are few environmentally safe nail polishes or nail polish removers on the market. Some still contain toluene (toxic) and formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a hormone disrupter.
There are some toluene and formaldehyde-free varieties, but there are none without petroleum solvents of some sort. Petroleum solvents are long lasting in the environment, and they are stored in body fat and passed on in breast milk. For more about DBP, and for a list of DBP-free nail polishes, read the Environmental Working Group’s report.
File, wash and soak nails, soften cuticles, clean and shape cuticles
File in one direction only, and always do this when your nails are dry. Wash your hands and soak in warm water or a fruit acid solution such as buttermilk or organic apple cider vinegar, before applying a cold-pressed fruit or nut oil into the cuticle area near the half-moon at the base of the nail. Use the blunt end of an orangewood manicure stick to gently push the cuticles back from the nails.
Sand and buff nails
Dry your hands completely. Sand and polish the top of each nail with a fine pumice-stone sand stick to remove any ridges. Do the same thing with a fine-grit block. Once the ridges are removed, smooth the top of the nail with a smoothing file and a buffing chamois. You’d be amazed at how shiny your nails will look following these steps, almost as if you were wearing a clear polish. You can choose a more natural, less-shiny matte finish if preferred, by not using the finest grade buffing files.
Moisturize
Massage your hands with a moisturizing cream or lotion.
Go to the Source
Better Basics for the Home
Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle.buy nowrelated stories
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26 comments
add your comment »fresh lemons can also be used to lightly bleach nails, as well as soften the skin on elbows afterwards (first make lemonade, then squeeze fingertips into pulp before rubbing on elbows)
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It sounds super but as Dagaz said you need to know what you are doing! I accidentally filed a nail a bit too much and it still shows a slight bit of damage if you are looking closely.
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You have to be VERY careful with sanding your nails this way. The nail can be worn away, exposing the sensitive nailbed beneath, and possibly leading to injury or infection. Talk to a nail tech or a cosmetologist, or even a doctor, before doing this!
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You can check out the almost natural line of nail products by no miss.
http://nomiss.com/
the remover is based on fruit acids and something derived from lichen....not as long wearing as revlon, but cruelty free and a much more healthful alternative!
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I had long, polished nails for YEARS--and now find them annoying when they are just simply short, clean and healthy. Thank you so much for informing others of this simple luxury.
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This work great! Try it, I've been using it since my grandfather taught me back in the '70's.
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I love nice finger nails, so I will try these tips..Thank you..
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Lots of good advice here and hope it helps nails that refuse to grow without splitting, have to keep them very short to prevent this.
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Sweet almond oil is VERY good for nails and cuticles. You will not need to buff them very much at all if you use the oil nightly and the oil strengthens the nail and so your nails will not thin.
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A natural manicure is great and non-toxic, but please opt for the organic apple cider vinegar soak instead of buttermilk to reduce dairy consumption. The dairy industry is extremely cruel to animals, newborn calves get taken away from their moms to be force-fed in tiny crates to be slaughtered vor Veal. Please consider this fact.
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