Winter is a season of change — lip and body balms stand in for refreshing mists, oil massages replace daily hair washes, and hydrating lipsticks are preferred over high-shine gloss. But amongst the myriad of adjustments that occur, season-specific nail care is often overlooked in favour of merely making the switch to darker autumn nails.
“Nails and hands definitely suffer over the cooler months,” said professional manicurist and salon owner Kara Jeffers. “With a lack of moisture in the air, winter nails tend to get more brittle and peel. Cuticles can get dry and tear when they are dehydrated.”
Kara is also the CEO of nail polish brand Miss Frankie — a polish that’s passionate about long-term nail wellbeing. The brand is cruelty-free, vegan, and does not contain common toxic ingredients found in many varnishes.
“Our Essentials Kit is the perfect companion for winter nails,” she said. “The Nourish Me Cuticle Oil keeps those pesky hangnails at bay, and I would recommend applying the product several times a day. The Restore Me Nail Hardener is full of vitamins to strengthen brittle and weak nails as well.”
But some year-round staples remain important in the nail care process. “Using a base coat and top coat is always essential for a long lasting manicure — the base coat helps polish adhere and the top coat to seals the colour and leave your nails with a glossy finish.”
When asked about the best thing to focus on in regard to winter care, Kara said that hydration is the key because of how often people wash and sanitise their hands. “It’s important to use a good hand cream before bed, as night-time is best for letting moisture soak in. You should also keep your cuticles soft and gently pushed back.”
Here’s our shortlist of nail care products with a focus on winter protection:
Miss Frankie The Essentials Kit
The Essentials, Miss Frankie hello@missfrankie.com.au
Kester Black Nail Care Gift Set
Nail Care Gift Set, Kester Black hello@kesterblack.com
Jessica Cosmetics Damaged Nail Treatment Kit
Damaged Nail Treatment Kit, Jessica Cosmetics 1300 470 648
Mannequin Hands Classic Cuticle Oil Trio
Classic Cuticle Oil Trio, Mannequin Hands victoriahoullis@gmail.com
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