Cuticle woes? The experts from Revlon, Sally Hansen and Essie share their tips and tricks!

Leeanne Colley, Revlon Canada Nail Expect and owner of the TIPS Nail Bars advocates lightly removing unsightly cuticle as a must! A manicure never looks fresh with hang nails and dry skin. The cuticle is a barrier against bacteria so you should be cautious when picking up your tools. The best way to know how much cuticle to remove is by lightly pushing back your cuticle using and orange wood stick or a stainless steel cuticle pusher (try Revlon Expert Stainless Steel Nail Groomer - $9.95) then using a light grit nail buffer, gently remove the shine paying close attention to the side walls and cuticle area. By doing this you are giving yourself a little hand in removing the cuticle that has been hitching a ride on your nail bed. (try a Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer - $5.95) After this step it will be easy to see what cuticle doesn't belong. Carefully remove unsightly looking cuticle that looks dry and out of place (try Revlon Control Grip 1/4 Jaw Cuticle Nippers - $22.95). Then restore moisture with cuticle oil. A little bit a day really helps refresh your manicure!

(I am totally in love with the Crazy Shine Buffer - it makes my nails so shiny, so easily, it's magic!)

Dana Caruso, Sally Hansen Beauty Expert agrees that treating your cuticles is one of the most important inclusions to your weekly nail regime, particularly when the cooler weather has sucked the moisture from your body, your skin is drier and in need of a little more TLC. She particularly recommends Sally Hansen’s Cuticle Eraser + Balm - $7.99 - which contains cucumber and green tea extracts known to moisturize, soothe and nourish rough dry skin. If cuticles are neglected they can become dehydrated and potentially sore, so it’s a good idea to keep your cuticles supple and nourished! 

(and look how swirly it is, you can't not love that!)

Essie Weingarten, Founder of Essie Cosmetics only ever wants to see you with cuticle oil and an orange wood stick near your cuticles. She recommends Essie Smooth Trick Deep Conditioning Cuticle Oil - $11.99 - a natural 10 oil blend proven to condition even the driest nails and instantly treats dry, cracked cuticles - revitalizes the base of the nail with Vitamins A & E to hydrate and nourish.

(when you think the tube is empty, cut it open and there is tons of product left stuck to the sides! you would think someone with so much product wouldn't bother, but it drives me crazy to throw something out that isn't totally used up!)

Whichever product you pick, well groomed cuticles really are the key to polished looking manicure! I'm no expert but here's my trick anyhow - when my cuticles look really bad - I apply a cuticle cream, add a layer of hand cream, add a light layer of Vaseline (to lock everything in), cover the whole mess with a pair of cotton gloves and go to bed - in the morning my hands and cuticles are perfection!

- Lisamarie -