When it comes to my nails, I’m pretty bad about leaving hangnails (those little pieces of ripped skin near your cuticles) alone. It’s like a compulsion that I have to peel them back or try and rip them off instead of just waiting until I can get to a cuticle trimmer to cut them off instead.
One of my favorite things about getting an occasional manicure is when they add a coat of nail oil at the end of the session to nourish and moisturize the skin around your cuticles to prevent those annoying hangnails in the first place, and each time I think, “Oh wait, I forget I can do that at home, too!”
Making your own nail oil is super easy and I added in some lavender and rose geranium essential oils since they are both anti-inflammatory (which is great for skin), and geranium has cellular-rejuvenation properties as well.
Supplies:
–sweet almond oil
–vitamin E (optional)
–lavender essential oil
–rose geranium essential oil
–empty nail polish bottle
–small funnel(I used the smallest one from this set)
Pour 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil into your nail polish bottle using your small funnel and add a few drops of vitamin E oil as well.
Keep the funnel in and add 4 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of rose geranium oil.
Screw your cap back on and shake well to combine.Store your oil in a cabinet or somewhere away from light to keep your oils effective for the longest period of time.
To use, swipe the polish brush with the oil in a “U” shape around your cuticles and allow the oil to sit on the skin for a few minutes if possible before rubbing it in gently with your fingers.
A good way to keep your cuticles nourished is to do a coat of oil at the end each time you paint your nails (which if you are like me can be 2-3 times a week). Adding this oil into your nail routine will make you less likely to forget this important step and you’ll thank yourself by avoiding all those painful hangnails later on.
Make a few bottles at once to give out as gifts or have a girl’s night to make your own while you do some mani/pedis together and try a gold star or hologram manicure (and you can also go for an oil like this if you want a ready made one). Have fun! xo. Laura
Looking for more essential-oil based DIYs? Check out …
–Natural Bug Repellent DIY
–Rosemary Hair Growth Spray
–Whipped Rose Shaving Cream DIY
