Hey there, lovely moms!
Feeling that it’s really naive to think that one can do plenty of things at the same time, I know it firsthand.
Whether we are busy dropping the kids to school or to work, preparing food, or attending meetings, among other things, it seems like there is no spare moment that you can afford to indulge yourself in.
Still, hands are never out of view – we do see them whenever we are waving at a friend or typing on the laptop or cooking something tasty in the kitchen.
So, let’s be honest with ourselves, a busy woman should not have less beautiful nails and rough skin on her hands.
I have come up with simple and easy hand and nail care tips that every busy mum like us will find useful.
The following tips are basically ‘low-lift’ tips, so you will not spend a great deal of time on them or invest a lot of energy, but your look will be fabulous. Let’s dive in!
Why Hand and Nail Care is Important
First of all we should have a little discussion about why specifically hand and nails require such attention.
Hands are one of the first things to wrinkled and we immediately notice the dryness and even the damage done to them.
Many of us wash our clothing frequently and use strong detergents, not to mention the effects of the sun on our skin, and so on.
Our skin becomes dry and develops that all-too-familiar winter look. And what is it with nails, it is so easy to break them especially if you are in a hurry!
The care of the hands and nails is not only a beauty regimen but also to strengthen our skin and nails for its durability.
Also, it would be wise to take about a few minutes for self-care, as the practice helps one to regain a sense of focus and energy.
I am telling you, even if you spend five minutes in front of the mirror it changes your mood for the better.
Quick Hand Care Tips for Moms on the Go
Keep Moisturizer Handy—Literally!
One of the most basic and actually effective steps that you can take regarding your hands is to moisturize them.
This is because with dry skin, cracks may be formed which increases the rate of irritation and even lead to skin infections.
To be precise, I always have one in my purse, in the car and in the bedroom. In this manner, irrespective of location, I can easily apply some moisturizer.
Check whether the cream contains things such as shea butter for instance, glycerin or hyaluronic acid among others.
I love the use of these ingredients as they are very moisturizing but do not leave your hands feeling oily.
The lotion, which I prefer most, is not sticky and dries up very fast to fit those occasions that you cannot wait for the lotion to dry up.
Embrace Overnight Treatments
If you’re like me at all, chances are that you don’t get the time in the day to commit to a full hand care session.
That’s why I love overnight treatments as hard working people don’t need to stay at home, spend a lot of time on the care of their hands and nails.
I use a thick hand cream at night or better still sleep with a hand mask on. Or I put on a set of cotton gloves, to seal in all that nutrition, if that gave any hint of what I was doing.
Every morning I wake up with lovely soft hands – my hands are perfect for anything I need them for!
Gentle Exfoliation is Key
Ladies, don’t think that exfoliation is only about face removal!
To get this done, I occasionally use a hand scrub around two to three times a week to wash all the dull skin away and get a natural glowing skin on the palms.
This may be purchased at any of the supermarkets or you can use the local recipes that involve using sugar and olive oil.
All you have to do is to apply it on your palms and hands by making circular motions and then wash with warm water.
It is simple, fast and gives you the best feel of your skin all over your body.
Nail Care Essentials: Keep Those Nails Strong and Beautiful
Cuticle Care: Your New Best Friend
I have learnt my lesson on not paying attention to my cuticles like I used to do before.
Having well-shaped cuticles on our nails is crucial as this adds to the strength of our nails, and overall flawless look of our hands.
I rub my hands with a cuticle oil or cream that is always placed next to my bed and I do it three to four times a week.
It is one of those actions in which it is easy to find yourself not wanting to do it but it significantly reduces the chances of developing a hangnail and keeps your nails looking good.
You also save your cuticles after a shower when they are moist, though if you want to be more productive, you can pull them back.
Just be careful not to end up hurting yourself because that will not be very helpful!
File, Don’t Clip
In as much as clipping is considered to be efficient and fast when it comes to shaping your nails, filing is always more appropriate, since it is less invasive as compared to clipping.
It is recommended that you should have a nail file with you all the time which should Ideally be in the bag and using it in your spare time.
Try to file in a specific direction so as not to split the nail and make the nails as healthy as possible.
But also do not forget that it is ok to keep nails short if that is how you like.
Strengthen with a Clear Nail Hardener
If you have weakness problems on your nails in terms of breaking or splitting, you should consider using a clear nail hardener.
These formulas are for strengthening the nails in such a way that they do not snap easily as they do now.
The application frequency is usually every three to four days.
It also gives your nails a great glossy finish, making them look neat at all times even when you do not have time to visit the nail salon.
Quick Manicure Tips: Get Salon-Worthy Nails at Home
Invest in Quality Tools
I can’t stress this enough about this!
There is nothing as good as having a good set of nail tools to help in the nail trimming process.
There are actually only four tools which are really essential – a thick nail file, a fine buffer which should not be too abrasive, a cuticle stick and a good pair of scissors that have really sharp blades.
To ensure that these tools have a long life span in addition to assisting you to get the best results it is important to clean and store them properly.
Go for Quick-Dry Polishes
To all those who like to add some color to their nails but cannot sit for hours without doing anything while waiting for it to dry then quick-dry nail polishes are a gem.
I know there are so many good choices out there and those are providing me with very bright and non-streaky colors.
For instance, I always have a neutral color and one of my favorite fun colors with me so I always can pick either one.
Just a few swipes and I am ready to go!
The Power of Top Coat
Who would have thought that there is so much which can be done by just the touch of a good top coat.
Not only is it a perfect tool to seal the manicure with a professional finish, but it also aids in preserving your manicure.
I prefer to give a new layer every two days so that I do not have to face issues like chipped nail polish.
It is a very simple change that has very effective results.
Protect Your Hands Throughout the Day
Wear Gloves for Chores
Oh yeah, don’t you ever forget about them—gloves are your ultimate companions when you do not want your hands to come in contact with chemicals or too much water.
I always leave my rubber gloves near the sink so that I can use them especially when washing the dishes or the sink.
These are worn within it literally, they take less than a second to put on and it is very effective when it comes to the prevention of dryness of the skin and irritation.
Stay Hydrated
The skin and the nails also require water for them to remain healthy hence the importance of taking water frequently.
I usually have a water bottle and take it with me wherever I go so that I can be reminded to take some water.
There are positive changes to the skin, nails, as well as the cuticles when you are well hydrated.
Moreover, you just can’t deny that it is good for everyone in all aspects!
Sunscreen for Your Hands? Absolutely!
People usually think twice to reapply the sunscreen on their faces while they forget that their hands need the same level of protection from the sun.
A hand cream that has SPF is particularly preferred by me so that the skin is shielded from those dangerous rays.
This is especially important if you are driving a lot – those UV rays can still pierce your car’s window!
Final Thoughts: Making Time for Self-Care
It’s understanding – life as a mother is hectic and we tend to neglect our own needs to fill up the buckets of others.
But doing a few things for our hands and nails as little as a few minutes each day doesn’t only help in making our hands more attractive—it also helps in achieving inner satisfaction.
When we take time for these small acts of self-care we affirm to ourselves we are worth it, our needs are important and deserve to feel beautiful and confident with our body.
Hence, dear lovely moms, let’s make a pact to start caring for ourselves more, even if we can only commit to simple steps.
Just do not forget that even a little bit of luxuriously is possible and it can make a big difference.
Cheers to pretty hands, perfect nails, and stunning looking every single day!
Keep shining, beautiful!
