Rescue Your Nails: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Perfect Fingers and Toes Book

Introduction: Rescue to the rescue     viii
You've got nail     1
Ji's story
Land of Opportunity
The Evolution of Beautiful Nails
A Field Guide to the Fingernail
The Ten Unbreakable Rules of Nail Care
You Are Your Nails
The Real Deal on Fakes
Getting started at home     19
The Instant Medicine-Cabinet Manicure
Lotions & Potions
Do-It-Yourself Exfoliators
Tools of the Trade: An Illustrated Guide
Three Ways to Sterilize Your Tools
The at-home rescue manicure     39
Manicure Mise en Place
Trimming and Smoothing
Shaping Up
Cuticle Care
Finishing Up
Cleanup
The at-home rescue pedicure     57
Pedicure Mise en Place
Getting Ready
Trimming and Shaping
Not-So-Cuticles
Out, Dead Skin!
Finishing Touches
Cleanup
Polish perfection     73
Nail Polish Application     101
Polish Mise en Place
Polishing Fingers
Polishing Toes
French Manicure Tips
Nail Emergency 911
The Big Spill
Reviving Your Manicure...Quickly!
Color Theory
Easy Colors and Hard Colors
Whites and Clear
Neutrals
Pinks
Reds
Brown Reds
Cutting-Edge Colors
Caring for Your Polish
In the Buff: Naked Nails
The skin you're in     103
Aging Hands
The Many Uses of Moisturizer
Working Hands: In the Kitchen, In the Garden, At the Office
Hands in Extreme Conditions
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
The imperfect nail: troubleshooting     119
Types of Problems:Weakness, Discoloration, Ridges, Splits, White Spots
Homemade Wraps
Foot Therapy: Toenail Shape, Calluses, and other Concerns
Athlete's Feet
NBA (nail-biters anonymous)     135
Twelve Weeks to a New You
Male Biters
The Emergency Kit-and How to Use It
The Program
Weeks 1-4: Boot Camp; Weeks 5-8: Recovery; Weeks 9-12: The Promised Land
Once the Twelve Weeks Are Over
Professional nail service     147
What to Look for in a Professional Salon
Spa and Salon Etiquette
Sanitation and Sterilization
Demystifying the Manicure
Keep It Up!
Index     159
Photo Credits     166