Beauty routines are truly hard to maintain nowadays.  There’s nails, haircuts, highlights, skin treatments, makeup routines and we can’t forget about eyebrow waxing.  In an attempt to cut costs in upkeep, many college women opt for DIY manicures at home.  Even more surprisingly, so do college guys.

While some Gamecocks manage to find the time and funds to go to the nail salon every two weeks, this is unrealistic for most women on campus.  Personal nail polish collections and manicure kits keep ladies looking put-together on campus without taking a toll on their pockets every week.

So what comes in these manicure kits?  Usually starter kits include nail clippers, emory boards, cuticle pushers, tweezers and scissors.  These tools do keep nails well groomed, but here’s a secret your manicurist might not want you to know: the importance of cuticle oil.

Cuticle oil not only improves the health of your cuticles (the skin at the base of your nails), but it helps prolong your manicure.  Like most oils, cuticle oil makes the skin and nails smoother, allowing polish to glide over nails fluidly.  That dull look you get after two coats of polish?  Consider that problem solved.  Most problems with nail care can be linked to dry, damaged cuticles (hence man hands), so moisturizing the skin surrounding nails surrounding skin is a plausible solution.

There is an abundance of brands and formulas available for consumers at several different retail locations.  Essie, OPI and Sally Hansen are just a few brands available in local drugstores, and prices range anywhere from $2-$15.  More luxurious, expensive ( and, in my opinion, not worth it) brands are available in upscale retail stores, as well.

So the next time you’re bored and decide to give yourself a mani/pedi, don’t forget the cuticle oil!  You’ll see a visible, huge improvement in the health and overall appearance of your nails. Trust me, they’ll thank you.

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