Make it Yourself Monday- Cuticle Treatments

Sometimes we get busy with our lives, our work, our families, and we forget to take care of all of ourselves. We put off cutting our hair, we give up many elements of our daily skin care regimen, and we ignore some of our own needs in favor of things that are more pressing. Well today's recipe is for a something that most people do not take the time to do anymore, unless they happen to get a day at the spa as a gift. I am here to tell you that, not only can you do this for yourself, but you deserve to take the time to do it AND you can do it so much less expensively than going to spa! Yes, I am talking about cuticle treatments! Cuticle treatments are not just a luxury, they will help to lock in moisture and condition, as well as strengthen and promote flexibility in your nails. So take a few minutes for yourself and give yourself a cuticle treatment! 


You will need;
2 Tablespoons of almond oil (you can sub apricot kernel oil if you'd prefer)
2 Tablespoon of jojoba oil
2 Tablespoon of olive oil
2 teaspoons of honey
4 vitamin E capsules, broken open and the oil squeezed into the mixture


Mix everything together. Soak your nails (don't forget the toenails!) in warm water for 10 minutes, then pat dry. Then massage the oils into your hands and feet, concentrating on the cuticles and the nails. Reapply after washing hands and after bathing/showering. This amount will give you enough for 2 complete hand and foot treatments, or 4 hand treatments.  


To make a nice hot oil treatment, just take 1/4 cup of olive oil and heat in a saucepan until warm. Make sure to allow it to cool until it is just warm to the touch, then add the liquid from 2 vitamin E capsules, and stir well. Massage  this mixture into your nails and cuticles, and use any left overs for your hands! 


Are your nails stained and/or dull? You can whiten your nails easily by simply soaking your nails twice a week, for 15 minutes, in a mixture of 1 Tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, mixed into 1 cup of warm water. After soaking, pat dry and moisturize your fingers and hands.


Need harder nails without using a commercial polish for strengthening? Castor oil is particularly beneficial for nails, hair and the lips. When you combine it olive oil, it will enhance the nails' flexibility, making them more pliable and less prone to chipping and breakage. Additionally, the other ingredients will provide antiseptic and bacteria inhibitors, help to replenish the skin and nail's moisture and nutrients, while the walnuts provide just the right amount of friction to scrub away dead surface cells. This is a wonderful treatment for both the hands and the feet.


You will need' 1/2 cup of shelled and ground walnuts
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon of castor oil
1 teaspoon of honey


Grind the walnuts until they are a coarse powder consistency. to them add the other ingredients to make a thick paste. Rub the mixture over the hands and feet vigorously, making sure you get the nails as well. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and then moisturize. This treatment works best when utilized twice weekly.

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