BeautyAA
here are few things more
quintessentially feminine
than beautifully kept
hands and feet.
A perfect pout or creamy
decolletage might be more
obviously womanly but
subtlety is usually at the heart
of true sex appeal. Sure,
smooth tanned skin is sensual;
so is smelling like a tropical
flower. But expertly manicured
nails say you took the time to
look good. Sexy is all in the
detail.
T
■ THE SHAPE OF SEXY
Toenails grow a lot slower than
fingernails so you can
probably get away with filing
and shaping them every three
or so weeks. Ideally you want
no more than 2 millimetres to
3mm of white showing.
Fingernails can do with
attention every week. In terms
of shape, filing all into a
squoval (rounded at the sides
and square across the top) is
the most flattering, and current.
Nail
file
Beautiful nails
are sexy’s
stealth weapon,
says beauty
editor Tracey
Strange.
■ GET SMOOTH
Even out bumps and ridges
with a fine-grade buffer using
an X motion. Caution is key: if
your nails heat up, it’s likely
you’re causing damage.
■ SCRUB-A-DUB
All skin requires regular
exfoliation to keep it smooth
and supple. A gentle scrub will
also help lift some of the sun
damage from your hands and
keep them looking young.
Calluses that aren’t bad
enough to require a podiatrist’s
attention can be smoothed with
pumice or one of many great
pedicare products on the
market.
■ GIVE IT THE PUSH
Once hands and feet have
been softened, apply cuticle
remover and gently push back
cuticles with a moistened
orange stick. You can clip bits
of skin left sticking out with
clippers but don’t tug them.
■ LIKE SILK
Use any moisturiser on your
hands and feet, even those
prescribed for the face. Now is
a good time to use up any of
those products you purchased
but didn’t like – especially
serums and night creams. But
don’t use anything on your
hands that has a perfume you
hate – you’ll be smelling it all
day.
■ PREP AND PAINT
Clean off moisturiser from your
nails with polish remover
because the oily residue will
threaten the life of your varnish.
Twist a paper towel tightly and
weave it between toes (or use a
foam toe divider) and apply
base coat. Polish will last
longer if you apply in thin even
coats, allowing two minutes
between each application. Top
with gloss. As frustrating as it is,
nail varnish hardens properly
over hours, not minutes, and
your manicure/pedicure will
still be fragile for at least two to
three hours. Don’t put your
hands in water, wear closedtoe shoes or attempt any jobs
that require you to overly use
your hands. Probably the safest
time to apply is about an hour
before bed, after you’ve
washed and moisturised your
face.
■ SOFTEN UP
Dry, cracked heels are the
bane of every sandal-wearer’s
life. If yours aren’t too bad you
can soak them for a few
minutes in warm water.
Adding acid in the form of a
few slices of citrus, or splash of
milk, helps. But if your skin has
neared the cracked stage,
urgent remedial attention is
required since cracks in the
skin leave you vulnerable to
infection. Visit a podiatrist, who
will use a scalpel to shave off
the dead skin.
26
YW
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010
■