My nails look… fine (pic 3), but I can’t help but zero in on the messy sidewalls (pic 1 and 2). A few different challenges for getting a super smooth line:
– the edges of my actual skin bubble up fairly high right next to my nail. Does anyone have a tip for “pulling back” the edges?
– even with pushing back my cuticles and gently buffing the edges, I still end up with dead skin/tiny hangnails. Without purchasing a dremel tool (I don’t trust myself), any tips for getting those edges super clean?
Polish: Mooncat Ghost of Hecate, Mooncat base and top coat
by gingerspeak
4 Comments
My dumbass goofed in the title and now it’s there forever. I meant “tips for tidy sidewalls”!
I have the same issue! I tried buffing and e-filing, but both seemed to make it worse. What I do now is: cuticle remover (I like the Sally Hansen blue bottle) before manicures, and then after I finishing painting my nails but BEFORE top coat, I go through and clean up the sidewalls with a detail brush. That, and daily oiling, seems to help!
Don’t mess with your sidewalls. I’m only just now learning to leave them alone myself. Have you tried something like kerasal ointment? It’s exfoliating and moisturizing at the same time and it only takes a tiny bit for each finger once a day. Regular use should make the skin more soft and elastic which reduces hangnails, dry/rough patches etc
Nail oil soaks have done wonders for me. I use jojoba oil and I do a weekly soak for 30 minutes per hand. I also have [these](https://www.amazon.com/URGINO-Refillable-Transparent-Container-Applicator/dp/B0BJTQ4QMH/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=3GRASVKMB448O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ukvLPD13fJTaslcCRpcMpkSdoM4gIpm7hhaTC_q2I8ox3ZJiOFT5V9lhNLU-CDd11XzGBbp07d3nlv_dr46qFaP4_S88745iz5faso6Ahp0HkVK7Ors68XrYP2mLD1Gz7ke48NYHRCkzo-_rL8ZC4sivjYmbHxuEVTMhXqWGqDl1hxHa85OBrQGC_9uWxP1HMrZR5utAd7odMwqcLw38tw.5FPOo9kBLRawvL7KBGi7ifNCsjW2txSJMmbik01SrGs&dib_tag=se&keywords=nail+oil+pen+refillable&qid=1764687087&sprefix=nail+oil+pen%2Caps%2C854&sr=8-8#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor) nail oil pens that I use to apply nail oil a couple times a day. Hand cremes are great help – eczema creams work great for me too.