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I've heard that cutting your cuticles is asking for trouble because it creates an open door for infection. If that's true, how can I care for my cuticles?
You heard correctly, as cutting the cuticles can result in possible infection and also in the cuticle growing back thicker and more ragged. If you are looking for better care options, may I suggest trying dry manicures instead of the common wet or soak manicures? Leeanne Colley, the owner of Tips Nail Bar & Spa in Toronto, turned me onto the idea recently.
Use a gel formula cuticle remover on clean, dry nails and cuticles, allow the product to soak for about 30 seconds and then, using an orange stick with a small amount of cotton wrapped on the end, gently push back the portion of the cuticle that is on the nail itself. For daily care, use a cuticle oil with grapeseed or almond oil in it.
Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist. Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.