cuticles?

[pinksmartie]

I'm 15 and I've bitten my nails for years and picked at the skin around them too. I've recently stopped and my nails are getting long, and although the skin around them isn't looknig too nice at the moment they're getting better.

Anyway, that's the background information, but what I wanted to know is what to do about my cuticles? That's also another part of my nails that've had the picking treatment, but I'd like to know what they're for, how do I get them to look nice, are they needed and do they grow back? I know that some people push them back (I don't have a clue why or how though lol) and there's cuticle remover cream, but I'm a bit clueless about this whole nail and hand care thing lol.

Help?

[sophie_1003]

Well done for stopping biting ur nails first of all! I dont know how cuticle remover cream works but to push them back either---1. Soak your hands in warm water and use an orange stick (little wooden stick, not actually orange, available from Body Shop, Boots etc) to gently push them back. Or
2. Use cuticle softening cream and do the same thing.
They will grow back but they don't (as far as I know) have a purpose, if you let them grow they'll probably end up looking neat on their own but if you want to paint your nails a colour as opposed to just clear they tend to get the polish on and make it look a bit messy. Vaseline do a good hand cream. Hope I've been helpful!

[pinksmartie]

thankyou! As yu can probably tell, I have absolutely no idea about nail care lol. I asked because - as you said - they make painted nails look a bit messy, and I've been painting them and they did look a bit strange. Thanks again for the advice xx

[sophie_1003]

Your welcome, personally I'm a bit funny about nails and even the thought of pushing back my cuticles makes me feel a bit edgy, I usually just end up doing my nails clear! Everything I've learnt about beauty and stuff has come from magazines, starting with mizz when I was younger going onto bliss and sugar and now I read more magazine, if you buy a girly mag you like the look of for a few weeks you'll probably get all the advice you need pretty soon!

[pinksmartie]

I used to buy magazines but now i just spend my money on makeup and clothes. I've just come in a for a particularly productive shopping trip with my mom and I'm trying out my new makeup now lol x

[sophie_1003]

Awww! Hope you had a good time! I love the smell of new make up!

[Solarjunkie]

As your nails grow, they sort of pull your cuticles out with them. That's what makes the skin at the base of your nails red & shiny, with enticing little bits sticking up.
Pushing them back with the towel each time you have a bath or wash up will release the tension and also expose a bit more nail making them look a bit longer.
Speaking as an ex-nail biter, being taught to deal with my cuticles made the biggest difference to getting my nails to grow.
Good luck.

[luckyeight]

I constantly have to fight not to bite my fingernails. Would totally recommend 'Almay Massage and Grow Nail and Cuticle Wax' - you rub it over the nail and cuticle and it moisturizes and nourishes but also makes it really easy to push your cuticles back and keep the skin there healthy. When cuticles aren't pushed back, the temptation is there to bite them as the skin can flake and split..

[pinksmartie]

Thanks everyone x