The London Lounge

Dear Gentlemen,

does any of you tend to his hands himself? If so, do you have any advice on the products and tools to be used? I have very dry cuticles and need to tend to them at least twice a week, but no matter how much moisturizing cream I use in the morning, they'd be very dry and hard by the time I reach the office.
Thanks for your help.
Best Regards.

Carlo, my good man, perhaps I can be of assistance.

Despite having the taste for such things I can rarely afford a professional manicure. Therefore one must take to the task personally. Cleanliness is the first step. Wash your hands thoroughly in warm (not hot or cold) water with either soap or liquid handwash regularly. There is nothing so unpleasant as to be incontact with someone who has dirty hands. The same applies to fingernails which should be trimmed regularly and kept clean with a nailbrush.

Next, moisturise. I use an excellent moisturiser from Vaseline Intensive Care but I would also heartily recommend the Norweigen Formula stuff form Neutrogena. Secondly (and this will help your dry cuticles) I use an almond oil based product from the Body Shop that is rubbed into the nails and cuticles. Can be used daily if necessary although I find weekly is sufficient with daily use of a regular moisturiser.

Thirdly, I then buff and shine my nails using a 3-step buffing stick (again from the Body Shop) which files down unsightly ridges, buff nails and then adds a nice shine. The first two steps are only needed once every 2 weeks and the shine can be re-done as often as one likes.

Hopefully this should put you on the way to excellent looking hands at low cost.

Dearest David,

I might say that "Operation Silky Handshake" has been completed successfully: I stepped into my local Body Shop branch this morning asking for the products you so kindly suggested, and left with a Christmas gift set called "Hand Tin". It comprises the oil-based balm you mentioned, a daily almond moisturizing cream, a hand rescue almond cream, a large nail file and a large 3-step buffing stick.

It has overall been quite easy for a skinny lad as me, who was already getting lost into such a bastion of female domain!

Thank you very much for your advice.

The best way to keep your nails clean is to buy a manicure/pedicure brush.
When you wash your hands employ the manicure brush.
There are some very nice Gentleman's grooming essentials kits that have nail and
hand care items.
Here's what I do:
I keep my nails trimmed and I employ the manicure brush.
I carry hand wipes and hand lotion with me in my car so that I can have clean and
well cared for hands.