Perfect Mani 101
Creating a salon-perfect manicure at home is a cinch with Bloom’s fool-proof guide:

File
Remove old nail polish and make sure there is no dirt under your fingernails. Next, file your nails to a uniform length and shape with Bloom’s Long Nail File which is specially designed with a deeper grain side for shaping and filing and a smoother side for finish and detail. Just remember – only file in one direction to avoid weakening the nail.

Push
Soak nails in warm water for a few minutes and pat dry. Apply Bloom’s vitamin-rich Cuticle Quencher to cuticles and massage in. Then use a clean orange stick to gently push your cuticles back.

Smooth
Make sure your nails are completely dry and clean before you apply Bloom’s Ridge Filler. Any hand cream or polish remover residue will prevent it from sticking properly.

Apply a coat of Ridge Filler to smooth over any ridges and level the nail plate. An even surface will mean your polish will glide on evenly and look more professional.

Prime
Apply Bloom’s Base Coat and let it dry for 30 seconds. This will act as an adhesive for the polish and improve its wear.

Polish
To ensure you coat your nails evenly, wipe the front and back of the brush off on the tip of the bottle. Applying nail polish should involve just three strokes – one up the centre and one either side. Begin at the base of your nail and steadily bring the brush over and under the tip of your nails to stop chipping. Let the polish dry for a few minutes before applying a second coat.

Finish
For added shine and protection against chipping, wait five minutes before applying Bloom’s Top Coat. To further extend the life and shine of your manicure, re-apply a thin layer of Top Coat every second day.

If you have gone over the edges and want to tidy up your manicure, wrap a piece of cotton wool around the end of an orange stick, dip it in nail polish remover and use to remove any mistakes.

 
Golden Rules
At Bloom our love affair with nail polish is so deep we simply can’t bear it when someone does wrong by our beloved! In fact, we have been known to weep at the sight of a nail polish golden rule being broken!

• Whilst it may seem obvious, no matter how short on time you are, always slick on two thin coats rather than one thick. Give each coat 60 seconds to dry and you’ll find that your polish will dry faster and last longer than if you applied one thick glob.
• Never cut your cuticles – they act like armour by preventing bacteria from entering your body. To keep your cuticles neat and tidy, massage in Bloom’s Cuticle Quencher and use a clean orange stick to gently push them back. Meanwhile, ragged cuticles indicate that your hands and nails are too dry. To remedy them, slather on Bloom’s Butterfingers Shea Butter Hand Cream daily.
• Although it might be tempting, never shake a nail polish bottle as this causes air bubbles to form. Instead, roll the bottle between your palms to warm the polish and ensure you get a smooth application.

 
Tender Loving Care
Everyday wear and tear means that nails often take a beating and end up looking brittle, dry and shabby. But a little bit of TLC goes a long way. Give your nails a clean bill of health, with Bloom’s top five nail care tips:

• Avoid using your nails as tools. That means no picking, scratching, poking or prying things with them!
• Wear rubber gloves whenever doing housework that involves submerging your hands in water or contact with harsh detergents or chemicals. For extra hand softness, apply Bloom’s Butterfingers Shea Butter Hand Cream before putting rubber gloves on.
• Use products containing alcohol, especially perfumed lotions, sparingly. Alcohol can make nails prone to breaking.
• To be gentle on nails, make sure you use an acetate-based nail polish remover
• Avoid biting your nails and picking your cuticles as this can damage the nail bed.

  
Pedicure Pointers
Get your tootsies in tip-top form with a few tricks of the trade:

• A square shape with the outer corners gently rounded off is ideal for preventing ingrown toenails. Just remember – only file in one direction to avoid weakening the nail.
• Dry, cracked feet steal attention from a perfectly painted nails. After your shower, remove dead skin by working a pumice stone or foot file over the soles, heels and sides of your feet. Finish by liberally applying a foot cream. For a super-hydrating treatment, apply foot cream before bed, pop on cotton socks and sleep in them.
• Treat tired feet to the ultimate indulgence with Bloom’s Foot Care Pamper Pack . Containing a foot soak, scrub and balm that are rich in peppermint and orange essential oils, you’ll be back on your feet in no time!
• If getting a pedicure at a nail salon, make sure the foot bath is cleaned and sanitised prior to your pedi and that all nail care implements are sterilized.
• If you’re right-handed, avoid smudging your polish by painting your left foot from the little to big toe.
• Be patient! Toe nails take longer to dry than fingernails. Give your pedicure a few hours to dry before slipping your feet between the sheets or in closed-toe shoes.