Natural Nail Care and Treatments

• home manicure or pedicure soak
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  2 quarts (2 liters) warm water
  
  If you have dry cuticles and rough spots, take a few minutes to treat your hands and feet to the royal treatment by first soaking them in a warm baking soda solution for 10 minutes. After you've done soaking, tackle calluses with a pumice stone and push back your cuticles. And don't forget to moisturize when you're through!

• nail brightener
  1 small bowl lemon juice
  1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
  1/4 cup (60ml) water
  
  Tired of yellowing fingernails? Put the natural bleaching power of lemon juice to good use with this manicurists' trick! Soak your fingertips in a small bowl of lemon juice for 10 minutes (don't try this if you have any cuts or ragged cuticles). Next, pour out the lemon juice, rinse the bowl, and fill it with equal parts vinegar and water. Dip a soft nail brush in the vinegar solution and lightly buff your nails for a minute or two. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with your favorite hand moisturizer. 

• smoother nail polish
  Nail polish will go on smoother and stay on longer if you clean your fingernails with white vinegar before applying the polish.