How to Repair a Broken Nail with … a Tea Bag

There’s never a good time to break a nail.  Whether you’re running out the door for a big date or your nail salon is closed, the good news is that with a secret weapon at your finger-tips, a few basic supplies and a steady hand, you can fix a broken nail in a matter of minutes.  Follow these instructions for a fast and flawless fix:

1              Begin by removing any polish and thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water.  Be sure to dry the broken nail completely before proceeding.

2              Empty a tea-bag and cut a strip of paper from the sachet. The piece must be large enough to cover the break and long enough to span the width of your nail while also leaving a little extra to wrap under both sides of your nail.

3              Gently lift the edge of the fingernail where it’s cracked (be careful not to tear the fingernail any further) and apply a small drop of glue under the crack.

4              Re-align the torn nail with its natural line and press the nail back into place. Avoid touching the glue as it bonds very quickly. Hold the nail in place for a few seconds.

5              Apply another drop of glue over the tear on your fingernail and use a tooth-pick to spread the glue across your nail.

6              Position the strip over the glue and tear (from left to right) and tuck the overhanging pieces behind each side of the nail.

7              Allow the glue and tea-bag to dry completely, this usually takes between 10 to 15 minutes.

8              Once dry, trim any pieces of the tea-bag extending past your fingernail’s edges.

9              Smooth the side edges of your nail by using the rough side of an emery-file; then use the fine side of the emery file to buff the top of your nail and to blend the tea-bag into your fingernail.

10          Paint your nails with clear or coloured nail polish to further seal the tea-bag.

HUNGRY FOR HOT HUES

When it comes to hair-colour trends this spring is a season of extremes. Darks border jet black, reds are fiery with an almost neon flare, and blondes are nothing short of 24-karat gold. Nonetheless, despite this season’s lust for the dramatic, there’s a fine line between drama and disaster.

Before you take the plunge, it’s important to factor in your complexion and lifestyle. Match a cool skin tone with cool hues, and a warm skin tone with warm hues. Also if your complexion is ruddy, you’ll want to steer clear of dyes that are very red. For a goof-proof DYI dye job, most stylists recommend sticking within two shades (either lighter or darker) of your natural hair colour. However for a more dramatic effect, you should always seek the services of a qualified hairstylist. Your stylist will be able to find the right colour to suit your complexion and to minimize the damage that your hair can sustain when being dyed.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when colouring your hair one of this season’s intense, vibrant hues is to remember that all pigments are not built equal. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance colour to suit your lifestyle, and your beauty budget, then going red is not for you. There’s a saying among hairdressers that the perfect colour only lasts 14 days before it begins to fade, but that red hair colour only has a 7 day lifespan before it starts to fade. For those who are curious, the reason is that red dye molecules are the smallest of all shades and therefore they escape from the hair cuticle faster than other colours like browns and blacks.

For anyone who has dyed their hair blonde before, there’s an endless battle against the much-dreaded brassiness that causes hair to look dull and orangey. Brassiness is mostly caused by oxidants and other pollutants found in the atmosphere, so for colour-treated blondes it’s necessary to use clarifying shampoos to get rid of dulling build-up, and to counteract that brassy look with a shampoo and/or conditioner which has a violent tone to it.

Your colourist is a scientist and they’ll be able to help you choose your ideal colour based on your hairstyle and lifestyle.  Your hairstylist will also be able to help you maintain your new colour with in-salon rinses or by suggesting at home glosses that you can use between dye treatments to top up the intensity of your new colour. With affordable prices and consultations from our friendly stylists, SpaiLo is your ticket to this season’s hottest hairstyles.