TPDTY

TPDTY: Managing Suddenly Problem Skin (as an Adult)

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As an adult, when you go from nearly life-long clear skin to problem skin in the space of three months, you might panic.

I did. Many ladies and gentlemen did and do. Adult-onset acne is not unheard of and can be triggered by any number of things – commonly hormones, but also environment, diet, and other lifestyle factors. Going from having something work for years to everything being clearly.freaking.wrong for your skin is frustrating!

For the first time in I’m-not-even-sure-at-this-point (18 months? 24? I don’t know anymore!), I’ve had clear skin. Clear, that is, aside from an occasional cycle-related blemish that is minor and goes away on its own. Hallelujah.

If you’re frantically trying to pursue resolution, you might inadvertently have left common sense by the wayside. No judgment; I did. Keep these things in mind when trying to manage suddenly problem skin.

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TPDTY: You Need a Cuticle Stone

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Cuticle StoneCuticle Stone, $1.79

There are a zillion-and-one guides and tutorials out there on how to give yourself a DIY manicure. Beyond the plethora of guides, there are probably thousands of different execution methods you could employ to achieve the same results. Damn few, however, mention taming crazy cuticles and eponychium with a cuticle stone.

It’s always, “gently push them back with an orangewood stick.” That isn’t wrong – it’s a good and gentle method that prevents you from removing living tissue. Those dang cuticle nippers that professional manicurists whip around like a magic wand are SHARP – and I don’t know about you, but they’re a challenge to use. It does not, however, help you remove any dead tissue that adheres to the nail plate like a cuticle stone can.

If you do your nails even semi-regularly, for under $2, can you really afford not to try one?

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TPDTY: Acrylics Can Be Uncomfortable

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TPDTY stands for Things People Don’t Tell You. This series will feature bits of beauty wisdom that most people don’t hear until after the fact; like a ridiculous, disappointing, secret club.

AcrylicsAcrylics – Photo from http://www.nailsartdesign.net/

Acrylics can be uncomfortable but, skillfully applied, they aren’t.

The problem lies in cut-rate shops with employees of dubious skills doing rush jobs with low-quality product and tools. I haven’t gotten an acrylic manicure in almost five years, but it makes me sad hearing people who have bad experiences with something that is supposed to be nice and make them feel good.

Have you ever heard someone say that acrylics completely ruined their nails?

That’s not quite right.

That is their perception, and it isn’t a a crazy conclusion to draw, either. In this case? Hate the player, not the game.

Any enhancement may compromise the strength of the natural nail to a certain point, but if the nail technician takes care with their application, your nails will not be, “ruined,” post-removal. A little soft for a few days? Maybe, yes; use a strengthening top coat like this one from Sally Hansen and you’re good-to-go. Shredded, paper-thin, with visible damaged layers? NO!

Why?

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