Climbing Jams: Post 5 - Hand Care!

Okay, I have to admit, this post is NOT just for climbers. Sure climbers have that whole hand/nail obsession but during this time of the year we are ALL obsessed with hand and nail care. This is the season where the air is getting a little more crisp and cool, we are needing to constantly wash our hands, and things are getting drier. So this means our hands suffer. Finding the right hand care routine is really key. 

Jamberry also has a whole line for Hand Care including Buff, Nourish, and Quench. All are infused with biotin and help to keep skin soft and smooth. We even have a nice boxed set called Indulgence (LOVE this name) where you can get the 3 hand care products plus a bonus daily cleanse hand soap. Actually pretty good bang for your buck! And this WOULD make a really nice gift for the holidays, either for yourself or a loved one!

But you KNOW how I have to keep it 100 for you. While I love the soft scent and feel of Nourish and Quench, I actually cannot use these. Again, #climberproblems. I have to be careful because if I use too many lotions on my hands, I could soften or buff out my calluses! 

I found this out because I actually tried using Nourish on my hands for a while but I found it made my hands TOO soft. For a non-climber this is probably actually a good thing. But for a climber... this is BAD! For a climber, having the right amount of calluses is key to getting optimal grip. Calluses actually help to prohibit sore hands. So I found Nourish is great for hand care... for a normal person, but I cannot use it. #sadface 

So what do I use? I use a hand salve well known to many climbers called Giddy. While I wouldn't recommend this to all my knitting peeps (the gritty salve might get on your yarn - stick with Nourish!!), I would highly recommend it to anyone who does active sports (climbing, lifting, anything where you want to maintain some calluses).  But if you are not a (pansy) climber diva (pathetic really) like me, I highly recommend you to try the Jamberry hand care line. They are very, very nice. And as I've said, while I don't use the lotions, buffs and cleaners, I use the Jamberry Cuticle Oil at least 2 times (okay probably more like 3-4x) a day. I love that oil (have I mentioned that? Ha!) This company knows what they are doing when it comes to hand and nail care. 

I love my Giddy - I have like 4 different scents! 

I have a couple sample packets of Nourish hand cream to the first 5 people that request for it. Just message me (drchopsuey at gmail.com) or through my Facebook page! 

Tip Tuesday: Know Your Wrap Finishes

Tip Tuesday is a regular feature on DrChopSuey Jams where the occasional tutorial, tip n' tricks, and hand/nail care are presented. This week's Tip Tuesday is on Wrap Finishes.

One of the biggest thing that I try to stress to people is that the different types of wraps need different amounts of heat times. I find that some people won't have luck with the wraps, after about an hour or two of wear they find that the wraps literally curl right off their nails. So we'll go over the whole nail prep process, including the cuticles, removal of oils, and even that drat invisible cuticle that plagues some people. But everything checks out. Then I ask about heat and pressure and sometimes we find out that they might be heating the wraps for TOO long. This is going to "melt" the adhesive right off the wrap! So be sure to check the guide below to ensure you are heating the wrap to the optimal amount of time. 

Let me know if something is plaguing you and we can try to figure out a way to optimize your prep, application or wear. You KNOW how I love to experiment! 

Tip Tuesday - Nail Prep (The Quick and Dirtay Version)

Tip Tuesday is a regular feature on DrChopSuey Jams where the occasional tutorial, tip n' tricks, and hand/nail care are presented. This week's Tip Tuesday is on nail prep. 

A proper nail application starts with proper nail prep! I have two methods of nail prep - depending on the amount of time I can devote to my nails. Of course the best nail prep is the longer of my two methods but if I am short on time (and who isn't,) I have a quick and easy prep method - I ensure I have clean dry hands/nails. 

Quick push of the cuticles and nail cleanser/isopropyl those babies for a quick prep!

Yep, that's it. Clean, dry, oil free nails beds are the first step to a successful Jamberry wrap application. Again, there is a longer nail prep method which actually works BEST for me (not going to lie, so I'll describe that method in a future post). And while I'm being honest, if I keep on my hand/nail maintenance routine (which I will also describe in future post) this quick prep method is actually VERY doable and works great for my Jamicures! 

Okay back to the task at hand... when I'm tight for time (as I usually am) I give just a quick push of my cuticles and make sure to remove all oils from my nails by washing my hands and nails with dish soap and then I use isopropyl alcohol to clean, disinfect and dry out my nails. 

Jamberry also has Nail Prep Cleanser which can be used after removing wraps or lacquer and will do the job of cleaning and prepping the nail for your next Jamicure! I have little packets of this stuff and it is super! 

Jamberry Nail Prep Cleanser

Do you have a question or a technique that you want answered/demonstrated? Let me know and I'll do my best to answer your questions! 

Tip Tuesday

Tip Tuesday will be a regular feature on DrChopSuey Jams. While it won't happen every Tuesday, you will occasionally see a new tutorial, tips n' tricks, and nail care post. 

For the first installment of DrChopSuey Jams Tip Tuesday: For Proper Fit - Embrace the gap gap ladies!! Choose a wrap that is slightly smaller than your natural nail. A TINY sliver of nail should show around all three sides. By leaving a little gap around the edge of your wraps, you will help them to stay on much longer. If the wrap is touching your skin at all, it will come off pretty quickly. So remember: 

Have a question you'd like addressed? Leave it in the comments and I'll be sure to feature your question in a future Tip Tuesday!