Hit the nail on the head

Good grooming is important even when you are travelling. The smallest details count. Any sign of neglect, like chipped nail varnish can mar your entire look. Yet, when you are away from home, the means to make yourself attractive are not easily available. So, for your nail care, think of your travel essentials first. Get yourself a small, plastic-lined case to carry your nail care kit. Your beauty aids should be within easy reach, so that you are not rummaging for nail file or polish in your spacious hand bag!

Like a pro!

Of course, the best thing would be to have a manicure before setting out on a journey. Go for a professional salon manicure, so that it is properly done. Have the nails filed and buffed. Using a base coat and top coat, helps the manicure last longer and avoids chipping.

Carry it all

Among the nail-care aids, you need to carry a hand cream for the nails and cuticles as well as rubber gloves to protect the nails while using soap and detergents. A nail filer and nail clippers are important. Instead of nail-polish removing lotion, carry polish-removing pads as they are most convenient while travelling. Take your emery board, orange stick, cotton buds, and of course, nail polish, even if you need to just touch it up. Take the nail polish colour that you normally use, because carrying several for choice can be cumbersome. Incidentally, a light coloured nail polish is less noticeable if it chips.

Here comes the sun...

Did you know that the sun can affect the nails too?

For sun protection, use a clear, transparent nail polish as a top coat. Or, you can apply sunscreen on the nails too. UV resistant top coats are also available.

It’s all about that base

To protect the nails, apply a transparent base coat first and then apply the colour of your choice. This helps to protect nails and prevents chances of chipped nail polish. If you don’t use nail polish, take a piece of chamois leather, or pierce a fresh orange peel with a fork and rub the peel on the nails. It is said to cleanse and brighten the nails.

Herbal way

Mix together a little cold milk and sugar and use it as a scrub on the hands. Sugar may also be mixed with your moisturizing cream or lotion and used as a scrub on the back of the hands and around the nails. Once the sugar dissolves, rinse well with water.

—As told to Poonam Bindra

Inputs by: Shahnaz Husain

(Husain is a well-known beauty expert and the CEO of Shahnaz Herbals Inc.)