February 17, 2010

Beauty In Nails.

There is so much that can be told about an individuals personality and health just by looking at their hands. Particularly their nails. Even the doctor will look at our nails almost immediately during medical checkups, as the shape, the texture and the colour can tell so much about the state of our health.

What attracts me in a man are his hands. Large, strong hands, with healthy and clean nails (just like my Irishman's) - what can be more appealing?

Likewise, I try to take care of my own hands as well, feeling that hands are a mirror of our traits and habits. However, to my great dismay, working in a laboratory requires me to wash my hands almost constantly and I wear rubber or plastic gloves on regular bases. Therefore I know all about chapped hands and broken nails and I have to take very good care of my hands to avoid destroying them. These rough conditions make it almost impossible for me to grow my nails long, even though that is what I would prefer.

Even though I love makeup and wear a lot of it every day, I very rarely wear nail polish. In some way I like to let my nails breath and will only paint them for special occasion or during summer vacations. I love the way my nails flourish when I am absent from the lab and when I can coat them with colours and let them grow long. Still my favorite manicure is the French one, leaving the nails colourless and well cared for, with white tips and pink base.

Here are a few interesting facts about nails:

• Both hair and nails are made of the same protein, called keratin.
• Finger nails grow faster than toe nails.
• Men's nails grow faster than women's nails.
• Seasons and weather also affect nail growth. Nails grow faster in warm climates and during daytime, than in cold climates and at night.
• Nail manicure is a very ancient activity. There is evidence that even 4,000 years ago it was known to our predecessors.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

big turn off for me to see a dirty nails. ew.

i love mani and pedi. and i can paint my own nails only on my hands. Can't bend for my toes. But i always remove the polish after 4 days so my nails won't get brittle and dry.

thanks for the info zuzana. Have a great day!


I am Denise Katipunera

Brian Miller said...

ok, obviously i need to spend more time on my nails...smiles.

Gal Friday said...

Zuzana, I am much the the same way! While I am very adept at putting on a little mascara and lipstick, I have never been able to get the hang of painting my nails and keep them bare(I had a professional manicure only once).

I do always notice people's hands, especially women with very elegant ones and perfect nails--and then contrast that to my own stubby nails and veiny hands(inherited my ugly hands from my mother).
Like you, also...my job makes a mess of my hands--glass and picture wire cuts all over(some days I come home with 3 or 4 band-aids on my hands), but I do keep them clean for dealing with the public and handling their artwork.

Dan said...

Hi Zuzana
Some interesting facts about nails there - and men's grow faster than women's - how unfair is that??
I have to admit I don't wear nail varnish on my hands very often, but I very rarely have no varnish on my toes! I just don't feel right without it, and only leave it off for a little while at a time to give my toes time to breathe.
take care
Dan
-x-

Kath said...

I discovered Udder cream, much loved by quilters, it really softens, without being greasy. My hair and nails grow really fast, I have naturally curly hair and the hair dresser said curly hair grows faster :D

S. Susan Deborah said...

Zuzana:

Another informative and interesting post. You should have posted a picture of your 'French' manicured nails. As someone mentioned, nails with dirt are the biggest turn-offs. Nails definitely reflects health and care.

I also like pampering my nails with moisturizers and oils.

Joy always,
Susan

A Friendly Stranger said...

A very informative and interesting post... I too believe that the hands that aren't kept well are a big turn off.... I keep checking my little students hands on a weekily basis to see if their nails are cut...

I had a fetish for nails and nail polish when I was in my teens, as I had collected all the shades available in the market.... and would never tire to lavish all my care and attention to them.... The first time I cut my nails was when I entered motherhood, in order not to hurt my baby... and I never coloured or grew my nails since....

Once again a Lovely post as usual.

Cheers
Seema

Maria said...

It's years since I went for a manicure. I'll have to make time for that. Your interesting post reminded me! Thanks, Zuzana!

Claus said...

What an interesting post! I too do not wear polish on a regular basis, but will do on special occasions. Interestingly, I have never felt comfortable with long hand nails. I do admire and find them pretty in other people, but I just think it is not me.
Have a great day my friend!

steviewren said...

For years I never painted my nails because I was painting everyday and would get paint all over my hands and nails. When I changed jobs I began keeping them painted. I loved how pretty it made my hands look.

Eventually, my nails began to split and peel terribly. I found that the only way to heal them was to stop painting them...so now I'm au naturel all the time.

I don't have the same issues with my toes, so I keep them painted though.

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
Well, you've hit a subject here that I'm sure not adversed on. Thanks for the info though. Of course I don't wear nail polish and have the most ugly little nails in the business... hee hee
:) The Bach

Betsy Brock said...

I'm afraid my nails say I'm a hard working housewife in the middle of winter! ha! I've been trying to slather on the lotion..espcially just before going to bed. I agree with you on a man's hands, though! They can be a turn-on or a turn-off! :)

Unknown said...

An interesting post today, as always Zuzana. xo! :)

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I am WITH YOU on unkempt nails...yuk and it can be insight to a person. My nails can only be slightly long...busy hands make it hard to keep nail polish looking pretty. Another annoyance to me is seeing chipped and neglected polish.

As I grow older I look at my hands and see the hands of my mother. I like that although they are NOT pretty! ;)

XOXO
J

Nessa said...

I beat my hands and nails up doing stuff, but my daughter and I always go once a month to get our nails done. Hers always look nice.

Renovation

Reading Tea Leaves said...

My finger nails are alway au naturel apart from a little pale pink on summer holidays! But I paint my toe nails regularly, with a few days in between to let them breath.

Some very interesting facts there Zuzana, especially men's nails growing faster than ours!

Jeanne x

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on the natural look for fingernails. But I like to keep my toenalis painted, because I go without shoes whenever possible. Interesting nail facts!

sprinkles said...

Yes, long dirty nails are a real turn off!

I usually only paint my toenails. The polish seems to last so much longer on them and I wear polish on them all summer long.

I used to not get the appeal of the french tip manicure but now I love them!

Laura said...

I prefer a french manicure to color too...my nails are always kept pretty short too...it's easier to make art that way. My youngest daughter, wow, she loves to paint her nails insanely bright colors!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

I only cut my nails:):)

Zuzana said...

Denise, Brian, Tina, Dan, Kath, Susan, Seema, Maria, Claudia, Stevie, The Bach, Betsy, Michael, Jill, Nessa, Jeanne, LadyCat, sprinkles, Laura and Philip, I can see that many of you recognize problems with nails and hands. Keeping them pretty while working is always a challenge. And I too often paint my toe nails as well, particularly in the summer.

A big thanks to all the Gentlemen for stopping by and leaving great comments despite their limited interest in this subject.;)
And thank you all the Ladies for sharing your "nail" experiences with me.;)

xoxo
Zuzana