Now that we’ve established that for guys regular nail care is important, it also bodes well to go over what to do in between manicures, especially when you see your nails and cuticles starting to revert back to their previous state.
So what do you do when your nails are just a tad too long to avoid grazing skin during a firm handshake or aren’t smooth enough to confidently caress a date’s hand when a full manicure isn’t immediately doable?
Sometimes handling your own maintenance is a great way to lengthen the life of your salon manicure, as well as comes in really handy when you need a fast fix to keep your hands presentable.
Step 1: Tools. Let’s not talk about the eminent disaster using your teeth and paper scissors to trim your nails will cause. Pop into Sephora (yes, they sell guy things too) and pick up their Self Made Man Dopp Kit, a $38 lifesaver. Not only do you get a decent pair of clippers and a metal nail file, but it also comes with nose scissors, a lint brush, mustache wax and, the crown jewel, a bottle opener. It’s your go-to for any sort of touch-up emergency you need.
Step 2: Trimming. This step brings you back to the good ol’ days of clipping your own claws. The easiest way to do it? Follow the white nail line best you can with a steady hand.
Step 3: Filing. Yes, guys file their nails too. File down the edges until they are rounded and neat. This prevents the creation of jagged edges, which stresses the nails. The pointed end of the file also serves as a pick to scrape out any leftover dirt that cutting the nails didn’t uncover.
Step 4: Rinse. There’s dirt and nail dust everywhere and we need to seal the job you just did, so run your hands under some water and dry them thoroughly.
Step 5: Moisturize. Nothing combats rugged hands like a lotion designed to tackle the guys. A great option would be O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream, which combats the toughest skin to go deep to not just soften but heal hands, promoting even smoother skin in the future.
And you’ve done it! You’ve successfully thrown your manicure a life ring. Give yourself a pat on the back with your refreshed, just-like-new nails.
Check back here every other Tuesday for more reviews and tips on how guys are NAILING IT when it comes to their grooming.
Isaiah Negron