Ankita's top ten nail color picks for winter

The DIY cold weather hands manual you simply have to master.

The winter chill can play havoc with skin, especially hardworking hands that are exposed to the elements all the time. It’s easy for hands to get neglected. And nothing looks tackier than sporting cool, in trend nail polish on chipped, ragged fingernails. The first step to pretty pinkies is some TLC to pretty up your hands. Follow the four hand-saving tips before checking out Nykaa’s winter nail paint selection:

Tip 1

Hydration: Moisturize your hands every time you wash them. Your hands are no different from your complexion. Wouldn’t you moisturize your face each time you wash it? Then why should your hands be treated differently? If you’re in the habit of using a hand sanitizer several times a day, your hands need even more care because the alcohol in hand sanitizer can be drying on hands. Nykaa likes Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.

Tip 2

Night time pamper: Just as you lavish extra care on your face before going to bed, nighttime is perfect for applying a rich hydrating cream or treatment oil on your hands before going to bed. Massage your hands well concentrating on areas of dryness like the cuticles and nail beds until the cream/oil is absorbed fully. If your hands are extra dry, wear a pair of cotton gloves after the massage to help the product work its way into skin overnight.

Tip 3

Gentle exfoliation: Like the rest of your skin, your hands need exfoliation too to rid them of dead skin and keep them baby soft. Exfoliate your hands once a week using a gentle home-made scrub. Simply combine sugar, olive oil, honey and lemon juice. Gently massage into your hands keeping the mixture on for ten minutes before washing it off. Follow up with a moisturizer.

Tip 4

Protect your hands: Prevention is always better than cure. Wear protective gloves while doing housework especially while working with strong detergents, bleach and other cleaning agents to prevent reactions and over-drying. Avoid washing your hands with harsh soaps and opt for gentle hand washes like Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Sulfate Free Hand Wash. Don’t forget to use sunscreen on the back of your hands too because direct exposure to sunlight is the number one cause for skin aging and sun spots. With regular care, your hands will be soft, smooth and ready to sport some trendy winter nail colors.

Here are my Top Ten nail polish picks for tips and toes this season

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel in Autumn Spice