Serenity beauty

In theory, artificial nails shouldn't damage your natural nails, but they do take a certain amount of loving care to keep looking good.

Artificial nails, whether you have acrylic or gel versions, need to be re-done every few weeks to prevent nail lift-off ( which is when the nail glue weakens and the artificial nails peel off from your natural nails) and you'll have to have them filled in regularly as they grow out with your natural nails. You can try to remove false nails yourself, but this isn't always recommended as you could damage your natural nails. It's advisable to have them professionally removed by a manicurist.

If your artificial nails crack or split, the best way to repair them is with a bit of nail glue or mending tape. Pop a bit of nail glue onto a small piece of a tea bag (I know this sounds odd - but it works!) and cover the tear with it. File it down until it's smooth, and cover it up with a slick of polish

An expert view

Diane Hammond, an expert in nail care and President and CEO.of Nailtiques USA has some great advice for anyone thinking about getting false nails.

"The only advantage to acrylic or gel nails is that they can increase the life of your manicure, and your coloured polish stays on longer. The disadvantages, however, can be numerous. Filing away the layers of the nail bed may cause ridges to form in your nails, and thin and weaken the nail beds. Without proper care and application, you could even contract a fungal infection. Because the application of artificial nails can be taxing on your cuticles, I would suggest using Nailtiques Cuticle and Hand Conditioner to keep your skin and cuticles healthy."

"Gel nails are sometimes considered less harmful to the natural nail because they can be made from organic ingredients. But because the application of both acrylic and gel requires your natural nail to be filed down, the damage they cause and the maintenance required are the same. Gel nails do have a more natural look when no coloured polish is used."

Maintenance

"The only way to extend the life of artificial nails is by getting fill-ins two to three weeks. To keep your natural nails as healthy as possible, artificial nails should be removed every three months. I suggest that you use Nailtiques Cuticle & Skin gel regularly, to keep your skin and cuticles healthy."

"If you decide to take your artificial nails off without going to a salon - soak them in 100% acetone until all of the gel or acrylic is removed. This is a very time-consuming process, and can take over an hour. It may sound obvious but repeat after me - do not rip them off! The few nail layers that are left underneath the artificial nails will be yanked off with the gel or acrylic. It's not only painful, but causes further damage to the nail bed. I'd recommend applying Nailtiques Formula 2 underneath the tips of the nails for a week prior to removing them may help strengthen them. Your nails will feel stronger even after the stress of the acetone soak."

Therapy

"We designed Nailtiques After Artificial Treatment Kit specifically to act as 'therapy' after prolonged application of artificial nails. The treatment includes two protein formulas that are specifically designed to re-strengthen damaged nails, and also comes with our restorative Cuticle and Skin Gel."

The Nailtiques After Artificial Treatment contains Nailtiques Cuticle and Skin Gel, the Nailtiques Formula 1 and Nailtiques Formula 2. The Cuticle and Skin Gel is perfect for keeping the cuticles and skin around your nails soft and hydrated. Formula 2 will repair peeling and thin nails, and then when they are back to looking fab you can start using Formula 1 to keep them strong.

Did you know...Top tips for artificial nails

So, you've got yourself some great looking artificial nails, and they look amazing. How do you keep them looking so good?

• Don't pick them
• Don't file them
• Wear gloves when you're doing housework or gardening.
• Use acetone-free nail varnish remover.
• If you see any discolouration, redness or get a skin rash, return immediately to have them taken off...
• Apply cuticle oil each day to keep artificial nails looking nice and supple.