While nails do not seem very important, their appearance does say a thing or two about you. Healthy looking nails means that you are healthy and well kept nails means that you care about your own personal cleanliness and hygiene. You do not need to go to a day spa and pay for an expensive manicure in order to have beautiful nails. You can make your nails beautiful and lustrous right at home if you are willing to follow a few simple routines aimed at keeping them healthy and strong.
On average a nail grow around one millimeter per week, its building material being a protein known as keratin. While cutting them is the most common method of checking his growth, this is a good way to cause them to split. Instead, try filing them down to a short to medium length using a standard nail file. You should file your nails from one corner to the center in one direction and avoid moving from side to side which can weaken your nails. Use a good cuticle cream, and push them back gently and then massage the nail base to encourage blood flow.
While there are a ton of different product out there aimed at giving you strong and beautiful nails, using one of these nail strengtheners may not be the best thing. Instead, try these different at home nail strengthening tips.

Water: bad for nails
Water can be considered your nails worst enemy and soaking them in water for a long time is an absolute no-no. If you do need to do something that requires your nails being submerged in water for an extended period, it is smart to don some rubber gloved or shoes to protect the nails on your fingers and toes.

Healthy diet = healthy nails
A diet rich in protein is important if you want to keep your nails strong and hard. If you are a vegetarian, be sure to get your protein from a good source like soy or nuts. Sulfur intake is also important when it comes to healthy nails. Garlic, leafy greens and fruits will also give your overall nail health a bit of a boost.

Your nail is not a tool to be used and abused
While many people seem to think that nails were given to us so we can remove stickers from the wall and stubborn bits of food from a plate, or to loosen screws, the truth is that nails are not meant to be used as tools. Chipping or breaking your nails makes it easier for you to get infections like warts and nail fungus. 

Keep an emery board around
If you do happen to chip or crack a nail, having an emery board around to file and smooth away the damage will help prevent further problems.

Do not be a nail biter
Nail biting is not only a unpleasant habit to watch someone do, it is also unsanitary. Nail biting can lead to ugly, uneven nails that are too short and susceptible to fungal disease.

Keep the short
Keeping your nails trimmed to just a few centimeters past the base of your fingers will make them easier for you to clean and maintain. If you happen to prefer longer nails, clean them regularly and use oils and lotions to strengthen them whenever possible.

Wear rubber glove
This rule not only applies to when you are doing the dishes, but also every time you handle chemicals or cleaning products that might be harmful to your nails and hands.

At the first sign of infection: medicate
If you see any signs of nail fungus infection, start medicating immediately to keep the fungus from spreading to your other nails. Somasin is a great all natural anti fungal system that you could try.  

Have great looking nails is one of the little pleasures of life. There is nothing better than admiring your hands replete with a beautifully done manicure. While getting pampered in a salon is great, it is not really difficult to give yourself a great manicure at home. Just follow this simple step by step guide.

Step 1: Remove the old polish
Use a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover to get rid of all traces of your old nail polish. There are two different types of nail polish remover out there: acetone and non-acetone. Acetone removers make quick work of the polish, but can dehydrate your cuticles. Since it is so strong, you might want to use acetone based removers when you are trying to remove bright, bold, or deep shades of polish.  A remover without acetone will take much longer to remove the polish but is a little easier on the cuticles, although it will also dry out your nail and cuticle a bit. It is best to use a non acetone remover if you have artificial nails.

Step 2: File nails
When you file your nails, be sure to file in only one direction to keep your nails strong. Start from the edge of the nail and file toward the center point in a long sweeping stroke. Also, do not use metal files, since they will wreak havoc on your nails.

Step 3: Soak your hands
Have a large bowl of soapy water on hand to dip your hands into after the filing is done. This will help soften your cuticles and clean your nails. When done, dry your hands with a paper towel. Cotton towels can leave lint behind and this will show up later in the polish.

Step 4: Push back your cuticles
Push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher and then use the pointy end of the tool to remove any dirt from under your nails.

Step 5: Apply a base coat
Since your nail secretes oils, applying a base coat will help the polish adhere to your nail a bit better. A base coat will also prevent staining, will help strengthen your nails and will allow you to smoothly apply the polish.  Be sure to apply just a thin coat of base polish since a thick coat will take forever to dry and cause the polish to smudge. Be sure that the base coat is completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Apply the nail polish
Place your hand on a solid surface to ensure that your nails remain still and steady as you polish them. Take the bottle of polish you wish to apply and gently roll it to stir it up. You should never shake the bottle because this will cause air bubbles which will show up on the finished product. Once stirred (not shaken) apply the nail polish by placing the brush about a eighth of an inch away from the cuticle and applying gentle pressure. This will cause the polish to spread outward and not bleed all over your cuticles.  With the first stroke, start at the center of your nails base and move outward towards the tip then apply two more strokes on each side. To prevent smudging, apply only a thin layer of polish and then let this first coat dry for five minutes.

Step 7: The second coat
After the first coat is dry, apply another thin coat. If you wait long enough to let the first coat dry, you will get a more even finish.

Step 8: the top coat
Apply a top coat in order to protect your nail polish and to give it an extra shine. Before applying, touch your polish to make sure that the polish has dried.  This top coat will give your nails a professionally done look and will also help prevent chipping and wear.  For added protection and shine, reapply the top coat every few days.

Step 9: touching up
If you get some polish on your fingers instead of your nails, do not sweat it, everyone does it. Take a cotton ball and dip it in nail polish remover and then rub it around the nail to clean up any unwanted polish. Be sure that your top coat is completely dry before doing this.

Now you have some salon worthy nails.

Mask for beautiful nails: mix 1 hard boiled egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of olive or vegetable oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mask on your nails for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and follow with a hand moisturizer.

Hand soak for smooth nails: warm up 1/3 cup of olive or vegetable oil, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir it thoroughly. Keep your fingernails in the soak for 15-20 minutes, then put cotton gloves on and keep them on for 3 hours, then rinse your hands with warm water.

Hand soak for weak brittle nails: dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1/3 cup of warm water, add 3 drops of iodine tincture and 1/3 cup of orange juice, and stir it thoroughly. Keep your fingernails in the soak for 10 minutes, then dry your hands and follow with a hand moisturizer.

Hand soak for brittle and splitting nails: dissolve 1 teaspoon of iodine tincture in 1 cup of warm water, add 2 tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil. Keep your fingernails in the soak for 10-15 minutes.