How to Winterize Your Nails

Our ethereal wintery nail look using OPI Care to Danse topped with Enchanted Polish Ice Castle (how appropriate!).

Winter is here in full effect. The cold winds are blowing and the snow is falling. We are both pretty busy running around between work and school and sometimes that means we neglect to protect our delicate skin from the elements. I often neglect to put on my mittens when running from my car to the grocery store or from building to building on campus. Leaving your skin exposed to even a few moments of the harsh cold takes its toll on your hands. I should know! 

I'm going to share some of my quick tips for keeping your hands and nails healthy during the winter season. 

• Always wear gloves! Exposing skin to the cold can really damage your delicate epidermis so take the time to bundle up!
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Throw a bottle of lotion in your bag, car, locker, coat pocket... wherever. Whenever you have a spare moment, slather it on (we'll share some of our favorites).
• Cuticle care! Keep those cuticles moisturized with products specifically designed for cuticles (see below).
• Coat your nails! Make sure to treat your nails to a moisturizing base coat or treatment.

With so many products to choose from, it's hard to know what actually works. We've tried A LOT of different products and here are our top picks for Winterizing Your Nails. 

Uremol 20 - A super intense treatment for cracked hands (or feet). It works wonders but it is a little greasy so it's best for intensive therapy. 

Earth Therapeutics Nail + Cuticle Care - Here is a link to our review. 

The Body Shop Body Butter - Plain and simple... this body butter is rich and moisturizing. It's perfect to take on the go for a quick pick me up for your hands. 

The Body Shop Hand and Nail Butter - This is my nightly treatment. I keep it at my bedside and apply liberally before I go to sleep. My hands and cuticles feel soft the next morning. 

CND Cuticle Eraser - When the winter comes, you want to make sure your cuticles are kept under control but also well moisturized. Some cuticle removers are extremely drying (I'm looking at you Blue Cross) so find a remover that also moisturizes, like this one.

Cuticle Oils - When I'm working by the computer or reading, I apply cuticle oil all over my nails for some extra moisture to my nail beds. My favorites are CND Solar Oil and Girly Bits Frazzle Fixer in Pumpkin Spice. Make sure to avoid essential oils in your oil. 

Burts Bees Lemon Butter - An oldie but a goodie. I keep one in my purse at all times to apply whenever I can. Easy and effective. 

NailEZEE Nail Treatment - This is my go-to base coat and nail treatment. It actually allows your nails to grow stronger while still maintaining flexibility. Some nail treatments are extremely drying and make your nails brittle (ahem, Duri, ahem). NailEZEE is just amazing. It really has made a difference to my overall nail health. 

For some more tips on how to winterize your nails, check out some tips from Julep. And check out their gorgeous new Wintery shades here.