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If you are one of those people who always like your nails to look good, whether you regularly have them painted to match your style or you’re simple file and buff kind of girl, you are going to want to check out these top tips for growing and maintaining the healthiest nails yet.

Wash your hands

The cleaner you keep your hands, the healthier you will be in general, we all know this, but what we don’t all realise is that the cleaner your hands are, the healthier your nails will be. Why? Because dirt and grime can get into the nailbeds and cause infections. Not only that, but cleaning and exfoliating will soften cuticles and get rid of dead skin for much more attractive nails overall.

Use collagen supplements

If you want to know why Kollo Health is the UK's leading marine collagen supplement, you need only look at the nails of the people who have used it for 3 months to see the changes it has helped along.This secret ingredient is one thing that can help you to improve the condition of your nails. Collagen supplements might not jump out as the obvious choice for healthy nails but they are great at strengthening them and helping them to grow healthily, so if you don’t get enough collagen in your diet, supplements are a must. A bonus is that you will also see differences in your skin and hair!

File in one direction

When you’re filing your nails into the perfect squoval or square shape, then you should not use your nail file like a saw moving it backwards and forwards. Doing this can weaken the nail so it is more likely to split or break and can cause do more harm than good. Choose one direction and stick with it, simply removing the file from the nail and bringing it back to the start before filing again in the same direction until you have the shape you want and a smooth feel to your nail.

Use a glass nail file

While we’re on the subject of filing your nails, it is far better to use a glass nail file than a traditional emery board, which can snag nails and give them a rougher finish. Glass nail files will smooth and shape without taking their toll on your nail health. Glass nail files are also known to last way longer than emery boards so the fact they are reusable makes them sustainable too.

Trim regularly

Regular trims help to keep nails healthy and manageable, Start by trimming every fortnight and then adjust as needed to maintain your shape, but don’t let them get too long without clipping as this can weaken them causing them to break easily. Creating a stronger nail will ultimately lead to a more healthy looking nail that is free from breakages.

Keep your cuticles

If you are thinking about cutting your cuticles or otherwise getting rid of them, think again! Your cuticles are important because they seal the nail, keeping it free from bacteria and other nasties that can cause problematic infections. If you really would like to trim them make sure they are not cut too short!

Give it a rest

Your nails need a rest from time to time, so if you are someone who loves nail polish and acrylics and extensions, take a rest from them now and again to let your nails “breathe” and recover from any treatments you might have. It's a good idea to allow your nails time without nail polish or acrylic every 8 weeks. This will help to restore them.

When your nails are healthy and strong they are at optimum condition, you don’t have to worry about breakages, and you can even get away with not painting them. Try these tips to start you on your journey of naturally beautiful nails. If you wish to transform your nails when they are healthier and stronger, you might wish to partake in a nail art course to make them look professional and different from everyone else.

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things in the world. Extending your family is beautiful and will completely change the way you live your life. Yet while it is magical, it is also a period of your life when you can feel a bit overwhelmed. You can go from feeling like yourself to being completely consumed by another little human being. Instead of being “you” then you turn into being a Mum and you can feel a bit like you have lost your identity. There is a transition period that needs to happen especially if it is your first time. If you find yourself in a rut and not feeling how you used to, there are some things you can try straight away. Here we take a look at some ways to feel like yourself after having a baby.

Make some time for a pamper day

After going through childbirth and having your new baby, it can be difficult to find five minutes to really relax. Which is where a pamper day can come in. Find a babysitter or leave your other half to look after your baby, grab a friend or head to a local spa on your own. When you are here, book in for a massage and get rid of any tension in your back and shoulders. You can also just take time to swim, relax in a spa or hot tub and read a book away from the distractions of your baby back home. It can really help to reset your mental health. But also just having time alone, to just be, is so important as taking care of a baby is a 24/7 type of job. Relaxing your mind and giving your self a rest will help to make sure you are the best version of yourself when you're with baby.

Take care of yourself

As well as something like a trip to the spa, you should take care of yourself through the little day to day things. This involves trying to have a skincare routine, moisturising with things such as CBD face cream can have relaxing effects (may not be suitable if breastfeeding) and having leisurely baths will give you the self care and relaxation you need. Having pockets of time throughout the day to do things for yourself is so important. Wash your clothes in nice smelling detergent, make yourself a tea and if you have time stretch it to a haircut and manicure. These are all small pamper things that might not seem like it, but they will make a big difference to the way that you feel. Making sure you stick to some of your past routines will help you find a little bit of yourself again.

Arrange some time with friends

Having time with your baby and your husband is all well and good, but sometimes you just need to go out and rediscover the old you. Speak to your best friends and arrange a time that you can spend with them, maybe go out to eat some delicious food or ask them to come over. Not having to worry constantly about baby or even having your friends over while baby is there will help to manage expectations of the new chapter you are about to begin with your friends too. You will feel more free and like yourself and you will also start to see how baby and your new role of motherhood is going to fit into your old relationships.

These are just a few ways that you can help feel like yourself after having a baby. It’s important that you do what you can in order to not lose your identity and remember that while your role is now a Mum, you are still “you” as well. Just doing a few little things for yourself can really help you to feel more like yourself and improve your mental wellbeing. It can be easy to feel 'mum guilt' when you are rediscovering the old you, however it's so important to remember that a happy mum makes a happy baby. What are some things you have done in the past to help after you’ve had a baby? Let us know in the comments below.

Amina xx