How to live with ridged nails

 

This is the reason why we should never file or buff the ridges found on our nails:

Ridges in nails are actually the healthy part of the nail. It's the concave portions are thinner because the nail matrix isn't working properly and at full capacity. So some sections end up being thinner (concave). The thicker portions are the healthier, stronger parts.

This explains why ridges seem to get more pronounced with age. As we age, our digestive system does not function at the level of a young person. We don't absorb as many of the required vitamins and minerals for nail production. Therefore, the ridges appear more pronounced, when it's actually the thinner areas are becoming more pronounced.

SO....if we file down the ridges to match the rest of the nail plate, we're actually thinning our nail plate to match the thinnest portions of the nail!

THE SOLUTION: Use a high quality ridge filling base coat to fill in the concave areas and smooth out the surface of your nail before applying your color lacquer.

Written by Doug Schoon

 

And the winner is......

We are happy to announce the lucky winner of our TIPS Celebration Set.

 

This prize package consists of:

1 x bottle of "Perfect Red", 1 x bottle of Revival Nail Polish Remover and 1 x bottle (new size 9 ml) TIPS Nail Conditioner.

 

And the winner is.....

Elizabeth Vlug 

 

Huge congrats!

 

Thank you to all who entered and stay tuned for the next giveaway, which will take place soon, I promise.

 

 

TIPS Celebration Set for Canada's Birthday

Join in the fun and place your entries to win the prize package sponsored by ASK Cosmetics Inc., an all Canadian company with its head quarters in Burlington, Ontario.

 

 

Prize package includes: 1bottle fo TIPS Nail Conditioner (new size 7 ml), 1 bottle of "Perfect Red" from the ASK Nailwear Collection and the Revival Nail Polish Remover.

 

Best of luck to all who enter!

What is your absolute favourite thing about Canada as a country?

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How TIPS & Co. can help you breeze through the summer

Summer is the season to kick back, lighten up, and adopt a beauty regimen that's as pared down as your wardrobe.  When the weather turns warmer,  most of us prefer less makeup, easy hairstyles, and a smooth, barer body.  But summer heat and humidity, the chlorine in the pools, the salt air at the beach, and drying central air conditioning can lead to a multitude of beauty messes.

 

 

When summer approaches, it makes good sense to switch to a lighter moisturizer and sheerer makeup, while becoming more vigilant about using sunscreen, exfoliate your face and body regularly, shampoo less often and let your hair air-dry, and keep your pedicure up to date. 

 

First of all, make sure your nails are in tip-top shape.  TIPS Nail Conditioner makes this the easiest task in your beauty routine since it only takes but 2 - 3 minutes to apply this nail & cuticle treatment each day.  Your cuticles will look fabulous (Say good-bye to ugly hangnails!) and your nails will become stronger and look more vibrant.

 

 

 

Using the Contour Nail File by ASK Cosmetics you will be able to gently seal the ends after cutting or clipping your nails.  In the case of catches or snags, that can potentially cause awful tears to your nails, this unique file should always be handy to smooth the ends so as to prevent any damage.

 

Currently this set - TIPS Nail Conditioner (5 ml size) + Contour Nail File - are on offer for $15.99 with FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING internationally.  To view this deal on the ASK Cosmetics webiste/online shop click here.

 

Secondly, your gorgeous looking toe nails with the hottest polish shade of the season will be a hit in those brand-new sandals if you get to it and apply TIPS for Toes daily.  Summer really is the best time to kick up your heels, go barefoot or sport your favourite flip-flops.  But, in order to feel confident enough to do so, you'll want to have healthy-looking toe nails. 

 

Last but by no means least, the Revival Skin Conditioning Milk will be your go-to, all-over moisturizer from head to toe.  It is very light making it ideal for those hot summer months, penetrates quickly and doesn't leave a waxy feeling on your skin as do other body lotions which are formulated with waxes and silicones.  It is also wonderful if, heaven forbid, you enjoy a bit too much sun and your skin burns.  It has wonderfully soothing properties and helps to re-generate the burnt areas.

 

It's never too late to spoil yourself with safe, enhancing cosmetics!  For more information on these and other cosmetic products by ASK Cosmetics, visit their website/E-shop.

 

Leave a comment and let us know if you have used any of these products. Would love to hear from you,  Lisa Mueller for ASK.

 

 

 

 

Are ridged nails getting in the way of your wonderfully manicured look?

 Ridged Fingernails - what can we do about them?

 

Although, nails do not contain any blood, nail issues such as ridged nails can indicate the presence of an underlying disorder.  We all know that ridges in fingernails are bumpy, elevated lines forming either vertically or horizontally.  When we refer to vertical ridges, we mean the ones running from the base of the nail bed to the tip of the nail.  Such ridges can change the appearance of the fingers, however these finger nail abnormalities are not painful and may go unnoticed.

 

Vertical ridges are often considered to be due to a genetic attribute, yet there are other causes for this nail condition:

1.  Poor Diet - If a person's diet is lacking essential vitamins and minerals, they might experience ridged nails.  Therefore, ridged fingernails may indicate that the body is not getting its daily dosage of vitamins.  Your diet should include adequate amounts of Vitamin A, B, iron and protein.  And deficiencies  can trigger nail ridging. 

2.  Poor Nutrient Absorption - Ridged fingernails is often the result of the body's inability to properly absorb nutrients from the food we eat, in which case it would be recommendable to consult a doctor to find out the cause.

3.  Loss of Moisture - As we grow older, the nail plate loses its moisture and natural oils, which often results in ridged fingernails.  Unfortunately, the aging process always has a negative effect on our nails.  It is therefore no wonder that we find elderly people with ridged, cracked fingernails.

4.  Nail Injury or Fungal Infection - Either could be a possible trigger for the formation of ridged fingernails.  If you have sustained an injury to the nail bed, this could produce ridges, which may remain for a very long time. 



Horizontal ridges should never be overlooked!  People having horizontal ridges often experience a change in their nail colour, which is an indication of a potentially serious health problem.  Be sure to make an appointment with your doctor if you have or think you may have horizontal ridges.

 

 

What can we do about ridged nails?

 

• The easiest thing is to start eating a nutritious diet.  Assess your food intake and ensure that you are providing your body (and nails) with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and iron it requires.  This will be a huge step in keeping the ridges at bay.
• Always be sure you are drinking enough water.  As you read above, dehydration is also a possible cause for ridged fingernails.
• A lack of moisture is often the primary cause behind ridged nails, in which case moisturizing creams applied daily would be beneficial.

 

 

 

Myth-Busting - Can you have gorgeous, healthy nails after wearing fake nails for years?

Gayle's Amazing Transformation - from artificial to compliment-worthy, real nails

 

Starting Point for Gayle

 

My nails are in poor condition and my cuticles even worse. The nails are dry and brittle and prone to splitting, still have a lot of ridges which I believe are related to the acrylics I wore for some time. My cuticles are dry, sore and I seem to have a new hang nail every time I look.

 

Pre-Challenge Photos

 

 

 

Week 1 Progress Update

 

Week 1 down and I can already see an improvement. The nails are stronger, not splitting as much and not snagging on things. They definitely have a healthier glow about them too. My cuticles seem to be healing and have improved. All this despite the fact that today I did yard work without my gloves on: I raked,  picked up leaves, etc. and placed in yard waste bags, put away outdoor furniture and pulled some weeds. Last week I was working in our basement crawl space, and my hands took a real beating.

I have been using my Tips for Toes, 1st thing in the morning prior to washing hands or showering and again later in the day, usually in the evening. I am using my Revival Hand and Nail Wash most of the time and keeping Revival Skin Conditioning Milk on my desk at work, beside my bed at home and in the kitchen and I am using probably about 3 times per day and using the curved file several times a day (love all the products but love this file the most). I almost forgot to mention... I am not biting my thumb nails any longer, this challenge has given me the motivation I required!

Week 1 Photos

 

Week 2 Progress Update

 

My nails and cuticles continue to improve in condition, colour, texture AND the biggest thing this week is no breakage, not one snag on fabric or hair or anything for that matter... the Contour Nail File is doing a great job of sealing the edges and I am loving that. I carry the products with me as when I am at work, I am usually there for 12 hours and during my day, when tied up on the phone talking but not having to type or take notes, out comes the contour file which can be done without any fuss or mess, I then quickly moisturize using the Revival Skin Conditioning Milk, you don't need alot and it is quickly absorbed.

The item of key importance which no other nail product company has ever informed me of, is the vital importance of the cuticle health and that the cuticle should be nourished but otherwise left alone. In the past, all the cuticle products I purchased encouraged massage, pushing back, trimming etc of the cuticle yet now that ASK is educating me and I am learning to leave the cuticles alone, I am having far better results than I ever have.

I cannot wait to see how wonderful my nails and cuticles look at the end of the TNT challenge, I am so optimistic about the future of my nails now, yet when I started this challenge, I had been so discouraged that I was actually toying with the idea of having acrylic's applied again. ASK is giving me hope of an Acrylic free future, thank you ASK :)

Week 2 Photos

 

 

Week 3 Progress Update

 

It is going fairly well, no breakage, no snagging, no problems really. The only problem that I am dealing with is that some mornings I gap and don't apply TIPS Nail Conditioner before showering.. it has been very, very busy though and find I am very preoccupied. I also really need to learn to not pick at or manipulate my cuticles... I am working on it and coming along slowly.

 

Week 3 Photos

 

 

 

 

Week 4 Progress Report

 

(Gayle is now receiving compliments on her nails!)

 

This week was very, very busy and I was tired and distracted, so multiple mornings, completely forgot my TIPS till I was in the shower and it was too late for pre-water application. I still applied once in the afternoon and a light pre-bed application and my nails are definitely getting stronger and healthier. I am seeing an improvement in my cuticle health but must admit to a tendancy to pick and am working on training myself to leave the cuticles and hang nails alone. Every week when I take my pictures, I think that my nails look dirty, yet they truly are not, I wonder if this is all part of the damage caused by acrylic nails and am watching for an improvement in this area. I am still using my curved file several times a day and applying revival skin conditioning milk 2-3 times per day. This week, I actually had 2 or 3 people mention that my nails were looking good.

 

Week 4 Photo

 

 

 

Week 5 & 6 Progress Updates

 

My nails continue to improve in strength and appearance, with amount of ridges starting to decrease. Cuticle health is improving except for where I continue to pick, this is a habit I am working hard to break and do see some improvement. I have stopped picking apart my pomegranates and my nails are losing the dirty look I had complained of (beware of those pomegranates - they definitely stain). You will see that during a particularly stessful moment I reverted to biting and attacked the right hand thumb nail as well, another bad habit, using nails as tools, did this and had some breakage, didn't break right off and I am babying it and believe it or not, I think it is self mending, will let you know more next week.

I continue to receive compliments on my nails and a co-worker commented across the table after a meeting "oh I see you are getting acrylics again" and when I told her I had stopped biting and these were my very own, she was really impressed and had to hear all about the ASK products I am using.

 

Week 5 & 6 Photos

 

Week 7 Update

 

 Nails continue to improve, many compliments and inquiries regarding the ASK Cosmetics products I am using.  I ran into Hannah who used to do my acrylic's; she was really impressed as she knew how I used to bite to the quick.

 

Week 8 Update

 

Nails still look good but cuticles definitely starting to suffer due to forgetting to apply TIPS in my hectic lifestyle.

Week 9 Update

 

Hubby still away, trying to get some projects completed at home; banged hand on counter and one nail snapped off; when sanding wall, another nail snapped off. So, I got mad and forced myself back into routine of using products, hands/cuticles/nails immediately. I had to trim down nails on left hand this week as getting too long and in the way when working, typing, etc.

 

Week 10 Update

 

Nails and cuticles coming along, using all the ASK products. I caught myself biting right thumb nail and immediately stopped. My left hand looks great; right hand definitely a work in progress.

Week 11 Update

 

Nails on my right hand are starting to fill in; all nails and cuticles looking much healthier and my nails are much stronger. Continuing to use all products. I was fortunate to win some ASK products in the Christmas Giveaway so although I ran out of skin milk, there was some in my prize which arrived very swiftly.

 

I received a couple of compliments from people over the holidays from people who know I was a long time biter and acrylic wearer, all very impressed and interested in ASK products.

Final Photos of Gayle's gorgeous nails after 11 weeks of using ASK Cosmetics' nail & skin care products

 

There you go - from many years of wearing acrylics to having her own, healthy-looking, long & strong nails. 

 

 Great work Gayle and thanks for participating in our Total Nail Transformation Challenge in Fall 2012.

 

For more information about the ASK Cosmetics products click here.

 

And thanks to you for dropping by and reading this amazing story.  Be sure to follow this blog for more updates, giveaways, videos, challenge info, etc.

 

Have a great day,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proper Footcare - especially for Diabetics

Looking after your feet properly needn't be difficult, but does require special care and proper practices

 

We all know that diabetes is a disorder, in which the pancreas secretes insulin. In recent years, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise because of our lifestyle changes. Diabetes itself may be not severe, however the real life-threatening situation is the complications that may occur to a diabetic's foot, which may lead to amputation of a foot or leg. Therefore, proper foot care is very important to prevent diabetic foot. This article will provide an introduction on diabetic foot care in detail.

 

 

As a person with Diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems, and even a small cut can result in serious consequences. In addition, Diabetes may cause nerve damage that takes away the feeling of your feet, reduce blood flow to the feet, make it difficult to heal an injury or resist infections. Once these problems occur, you are more likely to develop a blister or a sore on your feet, thus, diabetic foot appears. At present, there is no specific treatment to cure diabetic foot, so the best treatment is always correct diabetic foot care.

 

How to develop a proper diabetic foot care routine?

◆ Use warm water and mild soaps to wash your feet every day, and then dry your feet thoroughly with a dry towel.

◆ Moisturize your feet by using some lotion but not between your toes, because that will encourage a fungal infection.

◆ Cut your toenails after bathing, because they are soft at that time. Don’t cut nails too short as this may lead to ingrown toe nails. If you have some doubts about your nails, you should consult your doctor.

◆ Never walk barefoot! Ensure that you walk with shoes to avoid a scratch or cut. Since very small cuts can cause severe consequences, you should pay close attention to this advice.

◆ If you get a sore or a blister on your feet, don’t deal with it by yourself.  Seek help from your doctor.

Proper diabetic foot care is vital in order to avoid severe foot problems.

 

Thanks for reading and sharing this with others.  Til next time,  Lisa M.