Hi Catherine

Are there any real benefits of using a glass nail file?

Melissa, Rosedale

 

Hi Melissa,

Glass nail files are definitely a new trend in the manicure industry as more and more aestheticians are beginning to use them.  The main advantage of a glass nail file is that it is more hygienic to use because it’s easier to clean and sterilize.  Also, the durability of the file allows for minimal wearing and greater longevity.  Glass nail files can be used on both natural and artificial nails.  With regards to the nail itself, glass files are also supposed to be gentler on the nail tips and reduce the amount of chips and breaks over time. Glass nail files are sold at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

 

Hey Catherine

How many times a year should you get a facial at a spa?

Gina, Dundas

 

Hi Gina

Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer for this question.  The amount of times you get a facial in a year is dependent on your individual preference.  If you take proper care of your skin daily with a cleanser to remove make-up residue, an exfoliant to eliminate dead skin cells and a moisturizer to hydrate your skin, you may not even need a facial at all.  You could also add in a mask once a week to your home routine for additional hydration if you feel that is needed.  I also really like using a serum, like Laura Mercier Multi-Vitamin Serum which contains Vitamins A and C.  I use this once a week on my skin and it helps to maintain firmness in the structure of my skin and provides a nice glow making me appear like I just left the spa. 

 

Hi Catherine

I always seem to get bubbles under my nail polish.  What am I doing wrong?

Lisa, Toronto

 

Hi Lisa

There are a few reasons why bubbles or blisters appear on freshly polished nails.  The first cause is that the nail has too much moisture to start with.  Make sure your nails are clean and thoroughly dry.  If you have cream on your hands remove it from your nail bed, otherwise it will get trapped underneath the basecoat.  Secondly, when you are mixing the polish, don’t shake it - just roll it between the palms of your hands.  The shaking can also create air to be trapped.  Lastly, if you apply a thick layer of polish over another thick layer, air is often trapped in between. So try to apply your polish more thinly or give it an extra minute in between your coats.

 

Send Catherine Main your beauty questions to counter_intelligence@hotmail.com