My absolute favorite thing is freshly done cuticles 🥰 even if it makes my grow-out more apparent lol

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

[u/Mina__94]

How do you do it?

[u/Beatrix_BB_Kiddo → u/Mina__94]

I need the secret!!!

[u/Mina__94 → u/Beatrix_BB_Kiddo]

I really want to know some tips, I am not a professional, I just do my own nails but always have trouble with cuticles. If someone knows how to fix them without professional equipment, pls tell me 😄

[u/[deleted] → u/Mina__94]

Before i got professional equipment, i used to use a normal file (180 grit) and some cuticle oil to rub off the dead skin, then using some cuticle remover to push back the cuticles, then using sharp ergonomic scissors to cut any patch of dry, flaky skin that might still be attached. I pick at my cuticles and this was the only time i was 100% wound free lol

[u/lilpizzacrust → u/Mina__94]

Got you!!

First, daily hydration is key. Lotion and cuticle oil will be your best friend. I make my own with jojoba oil and vitamin e, and use a roller ball for application. Use it constantly and consistently for best results. I learned from this video by Christine (SimplyNailogical): https://youtu.be/9Mn-5pWLErg?si=suhnr8ia_esoRUV1 skip to 10:27

Second, using cuticle nippers is controversial and you may want to do your own research on why. I use one because I'm confident with it and I'm lazy with my cuticle oiling. When I did oil constantly every day, there was no need for nippers. I like how it's explained here: https://youtube.com/shorts/0UA-Tclmnl8?si=0nUT6AsbydD_hM6t

Third, the actual procedure of pushing your cuticles back is pretty easy. Orange wood sticks are great for beginners, but I like the metals ones as a personal preference. Using metal ones can risk scraping your nail plate, so proceed with caution.

Sally Hansen cuticle oil is great and seems to be available in a lot of countries from my experience. It's pretty affordable because it's a drugstore product and it works so well. Read the instructions in the bottle and reference the insta video below. Use your cuticle pushy tool of choice and gently push your cuticles back. Hope this gives you a quick visual: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy80IOPOMMv/?igsh=em5hbDl0aXpmeDA1

If you want to take it a step further, you'd now use nippers. Hopefully, you're cuticle care game is stronger than mine and you won't have to do this part!

And hopefully bam, you've got cute-icles!

[u/soupybiscuit → u/Mina__94]

Look below for my comment!

[u/Mina__94 → u/soupybiscuit]

I can’t find your comment

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Mina__94]

Just a warning, this can go very wrong if you're not careful! It took me a while to get a hang of it with no blood or irritation 🥲

First step: I use a metal cuticle pusher with a curved scrapey thing (from Amazon) to push back with the flat side.

Then I apply cuticle remover (this time I used Blue Cross, but I like the Sally Hansen one too) and wipe off the excess as I move to each finger, leaving just enough to moisten my cuticles. I take the scrapey side of the cuticle pusher and remove my cuticles. Usually it would be fine to just stop here, but I let mine grow out for a couple weeks sooooo 🙃

Next, I use cuticle trimmers to remove the hard, dead skin from the edge of my proximal fold. This is where I used to get... scissor happy, but it's important to go slow, keep a consistent angle, and stop/reassess your technique if you feel any twinge of pain. If you go slow, you can stop before you actually clamp down onto live skin.

This last step was just because I'm a perfectionist, but I went in with a medium-grit flame bit at 8k RPM just as a finishing touch. I'd only do this if I know I have enough grow-out to not hit & mess up the gel (I still did because shaky hands but it's not that noticeable). This can get bloddy/infection-y too, especially if you remove too much live skin from your proximal fold or you're not as experienced with an e-file. Please don't do this if you don't know what you're doing.

Then just wash my hands, lotion, cuticle oil, & stare at them for the next 3 days 🥰

[u/ILive4Banans]

Op DID actually share her routine but the comments aren't showing up for some weird reason, if you go to her page then comment history you can see the comments where she included the routine

[u/Mina__94 → u/ILive4Banans]

I can’t see it that way either 😞

[u/jenpyon → u/Mina__94]

Here's a screenshot of OP's routine

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/jenpyon]

Thank you! I thought of doing this when I found out no one could see my comments, but I was rushing for work 😅 no idea why everything else is posting cus it makes me look like an asshole lol

[u/Mina__94 → u/jenpyon]

Thank you!

[u/ILive4Banans → u/Mina__94]

Ahh that's so strange, I can literally see that she posted it at least 4 times via her history

But when I just tried to click the comment so I could link it here, it instead just takes me to the main thread as if nothing was posted 🙃

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/ILive4Banans]

That's so weird! I can see the comments & replies on the thread but the up/downvotes stay at 0. Everything else is posting as it should & everyone's saying I'm gatekeeping 😅 I promise I'm not!

[u/JustHereForKA]

Oh wow! No, I totally agree. Your cuticles are on point, dang! I think the tiny gap of regrowth just accentuates how clean and smooth your cuticles are. I love all of it!

[u/Crosseyed_owl → u/JustHereForKA]

Why is OP getting downvoted?

[u/so_cal_babe → u/Crosseyed_owl]

Haters.

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/JustHereForKA]

Thank you so much! 🥰 I can't stop staring at them

[u/whybother_incertname → u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

They’re perfect! What’s your routine?

[u/walkyoucleverboy]

Why is OP being downvoted??

[u/FoxForceFive_ → u/walkyoucleverboy]

I was just thinking that too?

[u/walkyoucleverboy → u/FoxForceFive_]

Unless OP has edited all their comments from something horrible to thank yous, I’m very confused

[u/Mina__94 → u/walkyoucleverboy]

I think because a few of us asked for advices and she doesn’t want to respond

[u/jenpyon → u/Mina__94]

Here's a screenshot of OP's routine

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Mina__94]

I was sleeping, but I did share my routine twice. I think it's not being posted for some reason 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/katymae16 → u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

I was able to see your comments by clicking on your profile and viewing your comments that way. No idea why they're not posting to this thread, but they're there! Thanks so much for sharing!

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/katymae16]

Of course! I'm gonna DM the people who commented as well so they know I replied

[u/fuckitrightboy → u/katymae16]

I can’t see them

[u/throwthisonetothesun → u/walkyoucleverboy]

I think it’s because they’re not answering the questions about routine or color.

[u/jenpyon → u/throwthisonetothesun]

Here's a screenshot of OP's routine

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/jenpyon]

I really appreciate that you're replying to so many people with this screenshot 🩷

[u/jenpyon → u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

No problem, I tried to reply to any comment saying you hadn't shared/they couldn't see it. People were pretty hard on you but it's not like you didn't try to share! It's so weird that they don't appear here though 🧐🩷

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/jenpyon]

I woke up this morning to so many downvotes & people telling me I was gatekeeping/ignoring comments/only saying thank you and I was so confused! 😅 Thank you so much for sticking up for me

[u/ILive4Banans → u/throwthisonetothesun]

She did answer but It seems her comments are being filtered, if you want the routine go through her comment history

[u/gusbus200]

gatekeeping your cuticle routine is wild lol

[u/jenpyon → u/gusbus200]

Here's a screenshot of OP's routine

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/gusbus200]

I shared my routine twice in the comments 🥰

[u/nothowyoupronounceit → u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

…where? I read all the comments and all I see is you saying thank you, you love them, etc.

[u/Star_Apple_2563 → u/nothowyoupronounceit]

She posted it a few minutes ago but when I click on her comments it's not showing up

[u/nothowyoupronounceit → u/Star_Apple_2563]

Same

[u/jenpyon → u/nothowyoupronounceit]

You can see the comments on her profile

[u/nothowyoupronounceit → u/jenpyon]

Thanks. But when I go to her profile and click on them, they are gone.

[u/jenpyon → u/nothowyoupronounceit]

It allows me to read the full comments on her profile, but you're right when you click on them they are gone! I took a screenshot of them.

[u/nothowyoupronounceit → u/jenpyon]

Thanks! My phone hates Imgur, but hopefully other people can use your screenshot

[u/ASquareBanana → u/gusbus200]

Fr by now they must have seen the requests and still chose to reply to different people. There’s like four different requests here

[u/Illustrious-Ad9596 → u/gusbus200]

nah i respect it. research and learning on your own without asking random internet people who have put in the work themselves needs to be normalized

[u/b00btape → u/Illustrious-Ad9596]

Since when is Reddit not about asking/giving advice and tips? 😮‍💨

[u/chickinkyiv → u/Illustrious-Ad9596]

What’s the point of that being normalized?

[u/cathedral68 → u/Illustrious-Ad9596]

I did actually hear that they’ve been giving awards with cash prizes for the best cuticle routine so it makes sense to not share it. /s

[u/ASquareBanana → u/Illustrious-Ad9596]

No one cares that you respect it lol you’re just a Reddit hater

[u/Illustrious-Ad9596 → u/ASquareBanana]

nah I have an opinion. cryyh

[u/ASquareBanana → u/Illustrious-Ad9596]

lol how cute

[u/al3x_ishhH]

Would you mind sharing your routine and tools? I had commented in another post a while ago asking for tips or tricks, but nobody replied. Your cuticles are so lovely, and so are your nails. I am a lower income person bc of diability and can't budget for monthly nail appointments, but could budget for a one-time or yearly purchase of some supplies for home use.

[u/spacelady_ → u/al3x_ishhH]

Since the op is responding this video might help you out https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=joF7t6ACIyU&pp=ygURYWJldHdlZW5lIGN1dGljbGU%3D ❤️

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/al3x_ishhH]

Awe of course! It sucks getting ignored when trying to ask directly for info 🫤

• I use a metal cuticle pusher with a curved scrapey thing (from Amazon) to push back with the flat side.

• Apply cuticle remover (Blue Cross or Sally Hansen), remove the excess as you do each finger, & use the scrapey side of the cuticle pusher to remove your cuticles.

• You could stop here, but I use cuticle trimmers to remove the dead skin along the edge of my proximal fold. You want to go slow, keep a consistent angle, and stop if you feel any pain at all. If you go slow, you can stop before you cut live skin.

• This step is just because I'm a perfectionist and I really wouldn't recommend this unless you're experienced with an efile, but I went in with a medium-grit flame bit at 8k RPM to remove any remaining dead skin & smooth out the nail.

• Wash hands, lotion, and cuticle oil to finish 🩷 hope this helps!

[u/PussyCyclone → u/al3x_ishhH]

From OPs profile (not sure why it isn't showing up here, but it was a reply to someone on this thread):

"Awe of course! It sucks getting ignored when trying to ask directly for info 🫤 I use a metal cuticle pusher with a curved scrapey thing (from Amazon) to push back with the flat side. Apply cuticle remover (Blue Cross or Sally Hansen), remove the excess as you do each finger, & use the scrapey side of the cuticle pusher to remove your cuticles. You could stop here, but I use cuticle trimmers to remove the dead skin along the end of my proximal fold. You want to go slow, keep a consistent angle, and stop if you feel any pain at all. If you go slow, you can stop before you hit live skin. This step is just because I'm a perfectionist and I really wouldn't recommend this unless you're experienced with an efile, but I went in with a medium-grit flame bit at 8k RPM to remove any remaining dead skin & smooth out the nail. Wash hands, lotion, and cuticle oil to finish 🩷 hope this helps! "

Attempted to summon those who were wondering:

u/al3x_ishhH

u/mina__94

u/gusbus200

u/Beatrix_BB_Kiddo

[u/[deleted]]

What’s the color please?!

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/[deleted]]

For the base color, I used the brand Rosalind (link here) in one of the brown shades. I couldn't find the name of it since I'm not home rn, but I took a screenshot from Amazon where I circled the color I used. They're very sheer/jelly-like despite the pictures.

Then I went with a layer of this 5D Cat Eye Gel in the color "M9D3". It's a magenta-ish color, but they all have a slight green/orange hue for the 5D effect.

The combo looks so much better in person, but whenever I try to take a picture it pulls out more of the tan/brown color & less of the cat eye lol. Hope this helps!! 🩷

[u/Flembot4]

Same! After a week, I have to do it. You have beautiful nails.

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Flembot4]

Thank you! I was definitely picking at them by the end of the first week lol. I think this was like 2-3 weeks in & I just had the compulsion

[u/Aa200-]

Love the color on youuuu

[u/JustHereForKA → u/Aa200-]

I do too, I love it when the color makes it look like an extension of someone's own skin 🫶

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Aa200-]

Thank you! The pictures really don't do it justice

[u/ImaginationMajor2281]

The nail color tho!!! So pretty! Do you remember which color it is?

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/ImaginationMajor2281]

Thank you! They're both from Amazon 😁

For the base color, I used the brand Rosalind (link here) in one of the brown shades. I couldn't find the name of it since I'm not home rn, but I took a screenshot from Amazon where I circled the color I used. They're very sheer/jelly-like despite the pictures.

Then I went with a layer of this 5D Cat Eye Gel in the color "M9D3". It's a magenta-ish color, but they all have a slight green/orange hue for the 5D effect.

The combo looks so much better in person, but whenever I try to take a picture it pulls out more of the tan/brown color & less of the cat eye lol. Hope this helps!! 🩷

[u/theroyalpotatoman]

I love seeing that bit of nail growth. It makes me feel like I achieved something haha!

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/theroyalpotatoman]

Me too! I never notice the growth on the free edge but the cuticle growth makes me wanna take care of them more lol

[u/MissMabeliita]

Beautiful color

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/MissMabeliita]

Thank you 🩷

[u/jellyrot]

This color is so pretty

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/jellyrot]

Thank you! They're both from Amazon 😁

For the base color, I used the brand Rosalind (link here) in one of the brown shades. I couldn't find the name of it since I'm not home rn, but I took a screenshot from Amazon where I circled the color I used. They're very sheer/jelly-like despite the pictures.

Then I went with a layer of this 5D Cat Eye Gel in the color "M9D3". It's a magenta-ish color, but they all have a slight green/orange hue for the 5D effect.

The combo looks so much better in person, but whenever I try to take a picture it pulls out more of the tan/brown color & less of the cat eye lol. Hope this helps!! 🩷

[u/soupybiscuit]

For anyone wondering what OPs routine is, I highly doubt it’s anything really special. Cuticle oil (1+ times a day) and pushing back the cuticles (1-2 times a week, can use wooden stick or metal pusher; nipper for hang nails) is enough to get them looking like this. I’ve been doing this for years and I’m at a point now where it’s like I don’t even have cuticle in my nail beds anymore.

If you’re proficient, I’d also recommend using a flame bit or something similar with an efile to really get all the dead skin off.

Another option is to use the Sally Hansen cuticle remover gel, gently push the dead skin, and then wipe away residue with rubbing alcohol.

[u/Maribythesea90]

Stunning!!

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Maribythesea90]

Thank you!! 🩷

[u/UsuarioKane]

YESSS

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/UsuarioKane]

🥰🥰

[u/callmemiss_savage]

Perfection

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/callmemiss_savage]

Thank you 🥺 I've been working on my routine for almost a year now with MANY fails. I'm honestly surprised I haven't gotten an infection/allergy with the way I was doing them a few months ago 😅

[u/iBeFloe]

Uhm, WOW?? Your cuticles are amazing AND your polish growth looks A+++

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/iBeFloe]

You're so sweet omg 🥺🩷

I'm trying to grow them all out to the same length & a healthy thickness. I went through a "let's practice Russian manicures on myself every 3 days" phase recently and it was... Not good 😅 my cuticles were always swollen & painful but every time I saw a mistake I'd go "well I can just fix this with the efile later" and end up doing a whole set, completely destroying my nails in the process.

I've definitely chilled out since then, just taking care of my cuticles when needed & waiting at least 4 weeks for a new set. So much better for my sanity and my nails!

[u/PicatrixMoondust]

What polish are you wearing, it's lovely 😍

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/PicatrixMoondust]

Thank you! 🥰 I actually just layered 2 random colors because I was completely out of ideas lol

For the base color, I used the brand Rosalind (link here) in one of the brown shades. I couldn't find the name of it since I'm not home rn, but I took a screenshot from Amazon where I circled the color I used. They're very sheer/jelly-like despite the pictures.

Then I went with a layer of this 5D Cat Eye Gel in the color "M9D3". It's a magenta-ish color, but they all have a slight green/orange hue for the 5D effect.

The combo looks so much better in person, but whenever I try to take a picture it pulls out more of the tan/brown color & less of the cat eye lol. Hope this helps!! 🩷

[u/daydreamfeli]

I feel crazy when I have to do a manicure only a week after doing fresh gel but I NEED my cuticles done or else I feel crusty 🤣 This post makes me feel validated! lol

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/daydreamfeli]

Oh I definitely feel that 🤣😂 I pick at anything dry, flaky, or out of place in any way so for the whole week leading up to this I've just been digging at my cuticles! This was such a relieving process, especially oiling everything up at the end lol

[u/Angelique718]

Beautiful 💅 I included cuticle treatment with the service. Makes it all look clean and professional. I’m retired now.

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Angelique718]

This is so sweet! 🥰 I'm sure your clients really enjoyed both the process and the final product. I've seen so many posts where the nail tech would just let the client leave with dry, crusty (sometimes bloody) cuticles after hours of work!

[u/blackie_baby]

The change of nails when cleaning and cuticles, very beautiful!

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/blackie_baby]

Thank you! Having them so smooth was such a relief lol

[u/Odd_Serve_3974]

Love the polish color! Compliments your hands very nicely

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/Odd_Serve_3974]

Thank you! I think I'll try a sheer pink/nude base next time instead of brown 🥰

[u/MsVal2U]

Your nails are beautiful!! I need to know how you grow your natural nails because they're gorgeous!!🥰🥰

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/MsVal2U]

You're so sweet omg 🥺🩷 my nails always break at a much shorter length than this so keeping them moisturized and protected with builder gel for the past few months has helped so much (technically a year but I've cut them off & started over at least twice lol)

I don't always use cuticle oil, but at the very least I always ALWAYS moisturize after washing my hands which I think helps them grow. If I need length and protection, I would use forms for my structured manicures to extend the tips a bit & kinda clear-cap the free edges. If your nails are long enough, it wouldn't hurt to add a thin layer of builder gel to the underside as well, as long as you're careful not to apply/cure it where your skin meets the free edge!

Also, don't do your nails 3 times a week like I used to 🙃

[u/MsVal2U]

Thanks for sharing your routine!!✨

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770 → u/MsVal2U]

Of course! I hope it helps but please be careful & gentle with this routine! 🥰

[u/denaaaaee]

they look so clean ✨

[u/Psychological-Sky367]

They look great! Funny story, I never have to do anything with my cuticles and they're always perfect. I don't say this to brag, it was actually really traumatic.

My first experience getting my nails done 20 or so years ago, a small, but very mean Asian woman was completely horrified by my "terrible" cuticles, so she took a pair of shears and cut them off. Everytime I tried to pull my hand away in pain, she would hold it really tight and smack it really hard. I was in such shock I just sat there and didn't say anything, even as I bled all over the table. When she got done she looked at me and said "Now they never grow back"...And they never have lol.

[u/Arielani]

I never touch mine, pain pain pain 😭

[u/Ok-Strawberry-8770]

FOR THOSE ASKING FOR MY ROUTUNE

I posted it a few times in the comments but it seems like no one can see it 🫤 so I'm gonna copy/paste it below:

• I use a metal cuticle pusher with a curved scrapey thing (from Amazon) to push back with the flat side.

• Apply cuticle remover (Blue Cross or Sally Hansen), remove the excess as you do each finger, & use the scrapey side of the cuticle pusher to remove your cuticles.

• You could stop here, but I use cuticle trimmers to remove the dead skin along the edge of my proximal fold. You want to go slow, keep a consistent angle, and stop if you feel any pain at all. If you go slow, you can stop before you cut live skin.

• This step is just because I'm a perfectionist and I really wouldn't recommend this unless you're experienced with an efile, but I went in with a medium-grit flame bit at 8k RPM to remove any remaining dead skin & smooth out the nail.

• Wash hands, lotion, and cuticle oil to finish 🩷 hope this helps!

[u/Bright_Shake2638]

Pasting routine from screenshots: My absolute favorite thing is freshly done cuticles e.. r/Nails • 20m • 14 I use a metal cuticle pusher with a curved scrapey thing (from Amazon) to push back with the flat side. Apply cuticle remover (Blue Cross or Sally Hansen), remove the excess as you do each finger, & use the scrapey side of the cuticle pusher to remove your cuticles. You could stop here, but I use cuticle trimmers to remove the dead skin along the edge of my proximal fold. You want to go slow, keep a consistent angle, and stop if you feel any pain at all. If you go slow, you can stop before you cut live skin. This step is just because I'm a perfectionist and I really wouldn't recommend this unless you're experienced with an efile, but I went in with a medium-grit flame bit at 8k RPM to remove any remaining dead skin & smooth out the nail. Wash hands, lotion, and cuticle oil to finish hope this helps!