Simple Steps to Maintain Pretty Nails after Gardening
Living in the City for 20 years I had never felt a desire to feel the soil between my fingers as I cultivate a garden. If I wanted to see a few of trees, I walked down a block with the occasional tree imbedded in the sidewalk. If I wanted to see even more trees, I headed up to Central Park. And if I wanted to feel lost in nature, I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. I found this sporadic brush with nature completely satisfying.
Five years ago my sweetheart and I moved into an apt with a balcony slightly larger than a postage stamp. I’ve had a tiny balcony before but I used only to step outside long enough to decide whether to wear a jacket that day. It never occurred to me to use the balcony to garden.
The first spring season in our apartment my sweetheart thought it would be fun to surprise me with a couple plants for our balcony. Although the gesture was romantic, I thought the man was sadistic since no plant had a chance of survival under my care. Frankly, I thought the space could be used more effectively to store weatherproof bins for my ever-growing collection of shoes.
Before I broke the news to him that the plants would be happier in a ‘foster’ garden, I decided to embrace his romantic gesture and give it a try. After much research I decided it seemed simple enough….water when dry. Then something strange happened as the little plants began to grow. This city slicker became infatuated with caring for those little plants. As they grew rapidly and becoming more beautiful each day, it was obvious they needed friends.
The first year I added a few additional pots. The second even more pots and I even experimented with herbs. And today the once barren balcony has become my very own Botanical Garden.
How does this have anything to do with beauty and fashion? Now that I have joined the multitudes that adore gardening I have come to learn toiling in the soil can wreak havoc on one’s manicure. As much as I loved playing in the dirt, the dirt managed to permeate every crevice of my nails and cuticles. While I reluctantly chalked it up to price you pay for being ‘one with nature’, I inadvertently discovered the cure to “Pretty Nails When Gardening.”
I recently attended a seminar sponsored by Dermalogica, a leading manufacturer of skincare products. Since my hands were still recovering from a long, bitterly cold winter season, I decided to slather on the “Body Hydrating Cream” that I received in the Dermalogica gift bag before preparing the pots and soil for the upcoming balcony garden season. Little did I know the incredible effects it would have on my nails?
I went about my gardening business as usual. Dug deep into the soil, mixed in fresh potting soil, scraped the plants out of the pots that needed replanting and finished with a sprinkle of water. After sweeping up my lovely mess, I headed to the bathroom to wash my hands with soap and a scrub brush. I was expecting the usual firm scrub, followed by digging deep under my nail beds and into my cuticles to remove more dirt…then repeat. The last step was to now try to recover from the abrasive scrubbing by applying a heavy hand lotion.
Much to my surprise, there was minimal scrubbing, minimal digging…and no need to repeat! And as an added bonus my hands did not feel dry and certainly did not need a heavy hand cream.
These are the 7 Simple Steps to maintain pretty nails after gardening:
- Apply Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream to the cuticles and under the nails. (Vaseline can be used as a substitute).
- Garden to your hearts content.
- Use Eve Echo Soap (My Favorite) and a scrub brush.
- Gently scrub around and under the nails.
- Wash hands thoroughly with warm water.
- Pat hands dry with a soft towel or paper towels
- Apply desired lotion.
Happy Gardening! 
“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino
