Psalm 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

As the months are warming up, thoughts tend to go toward the newness of spring. And what better way to celebrate the approach of this warm season than with a manicure! But who wants to––or can––shell out $40 for a half-hour at the salon, when you can give yourself a manicure in the comfort of your own home? So, grab your mom, sister, or best friend, or spend an quiet evening alone, and give your nails a hand.

There are two ways you can do an at-home manicure: slap on some polish and call it a day, or spend some time pampering your hands and nails. Since we’ve probably been doing the first approach all winter, let’s opt for the pampering. But, since we all tend to be pretty busy, I will offer simple tips for your tips. Before you start, gather all the products and tools you’ll need. A simple, quick trip to just about any store––from Walmart to Kroger to CVS––will provide you with most, if not all, of your manicure supplies. This will include the following items:

• nail file
• nail clippers
• hand lotion or exfoliating scrub
• bowl of warm water
• cotton balls
• cotton swabs (Q-tips)
• nail polish remover
• nail strengthening polish or clear polish
• nail polish––definitely something soft and pastel or bright and cheery (leave the deep, dark colors for winter!)

  Steps for a simply perfect manicure:

  1. Completely remove old nail polish. If it’s dark, you may need to work a little at this to get it off your nails and fingertips. Your pretty pastels won’t look quite as attractive next to berry-stained nail beds.
  2. Soak your hands for 10–15 minutes in the bowl of warm water. This will soften the cuticles (that little part of skin that tends to grow up and cover your nails).
  3. Clip your fingernails to the desired length. I like my nails a little shorter, but don’t cut them too short; leave some extending beyond your nail bed (meaning, don’t clip right down to the skin––ouch!).
  4. File your nails to smooth out and round the edges. File in one direction; a sawing motion will weaken and break your nails.
  5. Push back your cuticles. This should be relatively easy after the warm hand soak.
  6. Use the hand lotion to massage and soften your hands. If they are really dry after the winter, use an exfoliating lotion or scrub to loosen and remove dry, rough skin.
  7. Apply a coat of clear polish to keep your colored polish from staining your nails, and to allow for a smoother color application. Allow time to dry.
  8. Apply your colored nail polish. If you get any on your fingers, carefully wipe any excess with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. (This works best with cotton swabs that have a pointed tip.)
  9. Depending on the color, you may want to add a second coat of nail polish.
  10. Finish with a top coat of strengthening polish or clear polish to guard against chipping and peeling, and to add a nice shine.

  Tips for your Tips

  • If your nail polish is sticky or separating, toss it. It’s too old, has probably gotten too warm, and will just make a mess.
  • Keep your polishing simple. Do not go over and over the same nail, or you will have a goopy mess.
  • Move the brush from the cuticle to the tip of your nail in straight, even strokes.
  • Until you find a color that works well with your skin tone, don’t spend a lot of money on expensive brands. The cheaper stuff will work too.
  • In a hurry? Dip your polished nails into a bowl or (clean) sink of cold water for a minute. This will set the nails.
  • DO NOT polish your nails on the carpet or bed––or anywhere else that spills could ruin. Use an old towel or cloth to place under your hands as you paint.

  Sometimes the occasion calls for a classier look. In this case, I recommend the classic look of the simple French manicure. To learn how to give yourself a great, and simple, at-home French manicure, visit ehow’s tutorial.

  Whether you decide to go simple or elegant for this fresh, new season, enjoy the time to relax and pamper yourself––and your nails!

  By Lisa Grimenstein

Song of Solomon 7:5 “Your hair is like royal tapestry; the king is held captive by its tresses.”

It’s time to fall in love—with your hair. One of a girl’s biggest love/hate relationships is with her hair. It’s too straight, curly, thick, thin, stringy, frizzy, flat, or poufy. Whatever your feelings, whatever the trend, it’s time to mend your split-end relationship with your locks.

I’ve got thick, naturally curly hair—and I love it! However, my feelings have not always been so positive toward my hair. Do you know how many seasons have come where the trend is perfectly straight hair? A tough trend to follow for us curly-locked gals. At one point I was spending an hour every morning before classes straightening my hair, only to have it curl as I walked out the door. And then someone made the simple comment about how beautiful my hair was when I just left it alone. I think it finally hit me how much I was working against something that should be left as it is.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to experiment with our looks for the enjoyment of a new style. However, we need to be careful about the amount of time and energy we put into trying to change our looks. Not only should we love and care for the hair God has given us, but we should also love and be content with the hair God has given us. 1 Peter 3:3: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.” So, as we take a look at how to love and care for our hair, let’s remember that we are God’s beautiful daughter, and love the body He created for us.

General Hair Care

• DO NOT brush wet hair! This will only promote split ends, which will make your hair look frizzy and dry. Use a wide-toothed comb instead.

• Do use as few chemical treatments as possible.

• Don’t wash your hair until it’s “squeaky” clean. This means you have stripped the good oils that are naturally found in your hair.

• When towel-drying hair, do not rub—this will cause your hair to break off. Pat dry just enough to stop the dripping.

• After shampooing and conditioning, rinse your hair with cold water to seal the shaft and generate shine.

For Curly Hair

• You do not need to wash your hair every day. Although you may shower and condition every day, using shampoo will dry your hair out faster, giving it a frizzy, not curly, look. Two or three times a week is usually enough.

• If you must comb wet hair after a shower, use a wide-tooth comb. Hair is most fragile when it is wet, and harsh brushing will cause breakage.

• Air dry, if possible. If you must blow dry, use a diffuser and only dry until damp.

• Use minimal styling products. Mousse has a tendency to dry hair out, as does hairspray. I recommend using a styling gel, such as Scruples Smooth Out.

• Leave it alone!!! The more you play with curly hair, the frizzier it will be. Dry it, style it, and keep your hands off it.

• Don’t chemically straighten your hair, because that will damage your hair. If you want it straightened for a special occasion, find a good straightening iron at beauty supply store and do it yourself.

For Straight Hair

• Use a shampoo that is made for your hair type. If you have thin hair, get a volumizing shampoo. Oily hair? Use a shampoo that specifies that.

• Do not over-condition if your hair is thin or oily. This will only leave your hair limp and stringy. You only need a quarter-sized drop of conditioner.

• Don’t over-style your hair. Keep your hair routine and products as simple as possible.

• If you must do something to your hair, occasionally use a straightening iron for smoother looking hair in just a few minutes.

• Spritz a small amount of flexible hold hair spray over any problem areas for all- day style.

• Save the curling iron or hot rollers for special occasions. Constant use of these heat products will start to damage hair.

• If you really want layers, start out with just one or two longer layers. Depending on your specific hair texture, face shape, and personal preference, layers can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Keep in mind that, generally, the more layers there are, the more styling time is required.

Recommended Products

Scruples Smooth Out Straightening Gel—although this says “straightening,” it is great for curly hair. It holds the curl but fights the frizz—and there are no “crunchy” curls as a result (a characteristic I’ve had a hard time finding in other products). Not the cheapest gel product out there, but it lasts awhile, and for the quality, I think it’s worth it.
*Note: This product comes in 8.5 oz. or 1 liter sizes. If you want to try it, get the smaller size; if you like what you get, the 1 liter size is the better deal.

Conair Mega Ceramic Vented Round Boar-Bristle Hair Brush – Large (Target). This brush is highly rated and is a good price for a natural-bristled brush. The vents allow air flow, which helps dry hair faster when blow-drying, and also helps to add soft curls; natural bristles are a stylist’s sign of a good brush.

Goody Ouchless Hair Elastics. These also come in bright, fun colors, or choose the natural colors to blend in with your hair. You can snag these for a few dollars at most grocery and retail stores. They are a great way to get the hair out of your face, while not breaking the strands.

Goody Rake Comb (Walmart, Target, and other retail and drug stores). An inexpensive wide-tooth comb for detangling wet hair without creating frizz.

There are many hair products out there, and that can often be overwhelming. Remember to stick with varieties that are made for your hair type––don’t be tempted to buy certain products just because they are popular. If needed, experiment with different brands until you find the one that works. Don’t hesitate to ask someone whose hair is similar to yours––and whose you like––what product they use; you may find your next favorite thing. And don’t forget––if all else fails, wear a ponytail!

By Lisa Grimenstein