Step One:
Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to get rid of any lingering nail polish.

Step Two:
Use an emory board (not a hard metal nail file) to file your nails into shape. Don’t run the emory board backwards and forwards at a furious rate, you’ll over splinter the nail fibres. File gently one way from one corner of the nail to the centre, and then the other way from the other corner towards the centre. ie. file towards the centre of the nail.

Step Three:
Fill a small bowl with warm soapy water and allow your hands to soak for about a minute. You’ll probably feel like soaking for the next five minutes because it’s a very relaxing experience – but remember your fingers will shrivel up like prunes.

Step Four:
Pat dry your hands and fingers with a clean towel.

Step Five:
Use a good quality hand cream to massage your nails, fingers and hands. Take your time with this and enjoy the experience, and the trick is to not use too much cream.

Step Six:
If your cuticles are messy, push them back gently with a cotton bud or cuticle stick.

Step Seven:
Wipe your hands, fingers and nails with a damp towel and dry.

Step Eight:
Apply your favourite nail polish…

… and voila! Your nails will look lovely and you can show off your Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring with much flair.

If you don’t like wearing nail polish, you could always buff your nails. Get yourself a nail buff (usually under $10) and use the roughened section to ‘sand’ off any ridges in your nails. Then buff them to a glossy finish. This natural look shouts cleaniless and health.

When you first get engaged, where do most of your friends and work colleagues’ eyes go? I can tell you now it’s not on that gorgeous sparkle in your eyes, nor is it that little bounce in your step, and it’s not even that glow of excitement that seems to emanate from every pore.

I can guarantee that almost every eye is on your left hand to check out that new Engagement Ring. And then the eye travels down the length of your fingers to your nails.

So, now it’s time to look after those nails.

Apart from the magic of a manicure, there are some nutritional steps you can take to beauty up those hands and nails as well.

Drink lots of clean, fresh water. Water helps to cleanse the body and hydrate – something that in always mirrored in the health of your skin and nails.

It is said that you can strengthen your nails by eating foods rich in iron, including green leafy vegetables (including spinach – of course! didn’t you watch Popeye as a kid??? as well as Bok Choy, etc.), wholegrain cereals, dried apricots and meat.

To help the body to absorb that iron efficiently, it is wise to also eat foods rich in Vitamin C. These foods include oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, broccoli and capsicum.

If you suffer from brittle nails add some chickpeas or tofu into your weekly diet.

And voila! Beautiful nails that you won’t be embarassed about flashing around – well adorned with that gorgeous new Engagement Ring.