Rough Old Hands

[Tybee]

Wow,
My BF and I started "looking" at rings this past summer. In the process I found this website and have become totally addicted. I''m addicted to the point where my BF asked me to stop reading these messages because he was starting to feel bad because he doen''t know when he''ll be able to afford to get me a ring! I can keep learning, though, right?

Anyhow, here''s a stupid question: Whenever you guys post your hand shots you''ve all got such pretty hands! I, on the other hand (pun not intended) have what I''d like to call "artistic" hands. They''re a little less than feminine. When I''ve gone to stores to try on rings, I instantly feel embarrassed about my hands. Any hand advice for someone who (hopefully) will be wearing an e-ring sometime?

 

[Patty]

I understand what you mean about the people here having such lovely hands. My hands are very wrinkly and red a lot of the time. They do not look as bad in person as they do in the super close up shots that a camera takes on the macro mode.

I've never liked my hands but there comes a time when you just have to accept what you have. Do your nails if you like that look, put on hand cream and go for it! Don't apologize to anyone for how your hands look!

 

[ame]

I have artist hands because when Im not designing on a computer Im m essing with mockups and paper and film and printing photos. I just apply a high lactic acid lotion morning and night and occasionally regular nuetrogena hand creme followed by vaseline for sealing it all in.

 

[Ivy]

Keep the nails neat, hands well lubricated and........a diamond (emerald, ruby, whatever) ring will help any hand look even more beautiful.

Sometimes it's a bit of a wait for an ering, but it's worth the wait.

 

[Patty]

Ame, I should buy Neutrogena hand cream by the case. I love it! I use it on my face too. I use a lactic acid lotion on my body that's a prescription but I don't like how it feels on my hands. I'm addicted to Neutrogena for my hands.

 

[Julian]

Oh, I'm sure your hands are lovely!

What I do is put a great moisturizer on them at night -- Creme de la Mer makes a really good, intense body lotion. But I also like Neutrogena's powerful hand cream. It'll take away ANY perceived flaws!

But the best thing to do is to take preventative measures. Even if you're out for just 10-15 minutes, apply a lotion with sunscreen. Your hands have thin, delicate skin and need protection from the sun's harsh UVA, UVB rays! Do it today so you won't regret spots and uneven skin tomorrow.

 

[ame]

Im not good with the La Mer. I have the serum and the creme and I can realy only use them in winter. And I prefer the serum...the creams I am not so big on, so heavy and kinda greasy. I know...blasphemy.

I use LacHydrin 12% or 18% I dont know which. As long as it absorbs I don't mind it. Sometimes its funky on my legs, feels "wet" or something...

 

[quaeritur]

You can try some of the intensive hand lotions with retinol and sunscreen, those can really smooth out your hands. Also, keep your nails and cuticles neat. I don't even do polish any more (no time) but I use solar oil (a tiny dab per cuticle) to keep my nails healthy and cuticles looking good. Just dab it on and rub it in -takes seconds and makes more of a difference than anything else I've tried.

For the special day you get your ring and want to take the (absolutely unforgiving!

) macro mode hand shot to post here, treat yourself to a paraffin dip and manicure at a nice salon. Aside from leaving you with purty hands, there's nothing like a special little pampering session to make you feel like a princess!!!

 

[Alice in DiamondLand]

There have been many times where I've thought that my hands and fingers look thrashed. This is what I recommend: Make yourself an appointment to have a manicure with just clear polish. (don't be worried about your hands looking bad, they've always seen worse) They'll clean them up for you and remove the rough stuff and moisturize. Buy some nail strengthener (I've had good results with Sally Hansen -10 beautiful nails.the salon that you get your manicure at will probably have some good stufftoo) and thick creme.

Polish them regularly and use the creme a couple times a day. Putting vaseline and cotton gloves (they sell them in the nail section at the drug store) will do wonders too.

You'd be amazed if you start right now how much better your nails could be even by this Saturday. I've found if someone else gets them started for me, it's improve and maintain them.

Have fun!

 

[moremoremore]

"I just apply a high lactic acid lotion morning and night and occasionally regular nuetrogena hand creme followed by vaseline for sealing it all in."

Me TOO!! Actually, I love anything with acid that sounds serious. I had lachydrin from the derm but now it's OTC...so I have supply of that plus tons of other cremes with glycolic (?) acid, lactic acid, salycilic acid...ACID ACID ADID

I've aquaphor more than vaseline...yeah, it's for burn victims? lol It's gross and I love it. I love the Neutrogena hand creme too.

I actually get Creme De La Mer 50% off b/c hubby works for an affiliated co., but I think it smells like an old lady. I really hate it.

But Tybee...I TOTALLY understand. Do you watch Seinfeld? Yeah, I feel like I've got "MAN HANDS"... And there is nothing I can do about it. They are just 'artistic'...Nothing really helps...they are what they are...and there's nothing I can do about it...but accept and move on I guess...oh yeah, and not post any hand shots

And don't get me started on my feet

 

[moremoremore]

And I LLLOVVEEEE the sweet puppy in your avatar. He just LOOKS so sweet!

 

[KBerly]

Two things, Solar Oil cuticle oil and Solar Oil lotion. Try to use these everyday and push those cuticles back! My nails are horrible, I bite them (bad Kim

) I use the oil and then the lotion and they work great, I don't even do it everyday, but right before the DB and I go out to look for ringy dingys, I oil the nails up and slap some clear polish on the nubs and boy what a difference! But the more you use these, or any better oil and lotion for that matter, your hands start looking better.

 

[ame]

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On 9/22/2004 5:00:13 PM moremoremore wrote:



I've aquaphor more than vaseline...yeah, it's for burn victims? lol It's gross and I love it.

----------------

Note to self...become REALLY good friends with MMM...

I am allergic to Aquaphor. BOO!

 

[Amethyste]

I have been a nail tech for a long time and I have some pointers to give you:

1st: exfoliate your hands everyday. I make this scrub at home and it's really easy. Remember, a little goes a long way. In a small squirt bottle, do 1/2 (dead) sea salt and 1/2 grapeseed oil, add a touch of sweet orange essential oil and if you want to splurge add also a little of lavender. Shake real well, squirt a little in the palm of your hands ( about a quarter size ) and rub for about 1-2 minutes. Not too hard and not too wussy like either. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Your hands will feel fantastic! You can use this scrub on your feet as well. It's yummy. Why salt? Salt won't dissolve in oil as opposed to sugar. The salt exfoliates while the oil moisturizes. Leave the scrub at room temperature. It has about a 4-6 month shelf life.

In the winter, I can NEVER say this enough. On top of using a GREAT hand cream, ( hand cream in the winter and a lotion in the summer ), splurge into a parrafin bath. Dip your hands in the hot parrafin twice a week, but before you do that, make sure you have moisturized your hands well. The hot parrafin will open your pores so the good emollients of the cream can penetrate your skin, you can even use the parrafin on your feet. Wrap everything in plastic bags and let sit on your skin for about 7-10 minutes. Ater that, all you need to do is to slide/peel the parrafin off. I don't suggest any lotion/cream because everyone is so different but I do love Aveeno intense cream or Aveda Hand Relief. GREAT stuff.

As everybody suggested, invest in a manicure twice a month to get the cuticles pushed and neat. It's amazing how much of an impact neat cuticles can have on hands. If you want to add a "glow" on your fingernails, ask the manicurist to put ONE coat of Essie's Mademoiselle and you'll be amazed at how healthy looking your hands and finger nails will look. For polish, sometimes, less is more. Good luck and if you need any more information, please send me a pm and I'll be glad to answer you.

-=Amethyste

 

[tawn]

At home remedy exfoliation and smoother!

You can just mix some olive oil and some salt...probably about a teaspoon + of each! Rub it around your hands and fingers for a minute or so, and then rinse! Follow with a good moisturizer!

Your hands will feel so awesome!

 

[Jennifer5973]

I hate to read that you dislike your hands...I hated mine until Pscope members said they were pretty. I bet your hands are just fine and might only need a little TLC.

You've gotten great advice already--including a professional opinion! I vote for neat nails with clear or pale pink polish and lots of moisturizing with occcasional exfoliation. Buy cheap cotton gloves and do the coat of vaseline thing and wear the gloves to bed. that always works wonders.

Ugliness comes from inside. Anyway, someone who has such a cute dog must have loving, gentle, caring hands from rubbing that belly!

 

[moremoremore]

I agree- make your nails as nice as possible..I try to and hope it detracts from my man hands...

But I totally *understand* what you mean. it's not about the condition and maintenance of your hands...but more of their *character* that can't be changed no matter what kind of perfect condition they are in. You just have to learn to love them...and I bet that while you can't be a hand model....you can do a lot of things and have a lot of qualities that those hand model types don't have lol

And I agree with Jennifer re: the puppy and rubbing the belly!

Ame- you really love it? I can't stand that stink!

I used it on my feet for a while but that didn't last long considering it's still so expensive!

 

[goldengirl]

Heh--I know what you mean.

If I ever end up posting an e ring on this board, you'll get to see my hand defects, too: the pinky fingers on both my hands sit at the STRANGEST angle to the rest of my fingers. When I was growing, the tendons on those digits didn't grow to accomdate the lengthening bones-- so my pinkies are kinda pulled into a perma-arch.

But my smart and loving SO promised to photoshop them into some semblance of normalcy if I was embarrassed about sharing photos.

 

[Tybee]

Thanks! That's just one of my great dane babies. She's a love. My other puppy is the screen saver on my computer, so I thought I'd make Tybee my avatar, just to be fair.

Yes, I have man-hands (hilarious!) When I was a girl they were boy hands! How big a diamond do I need, I wonder, to make them look feminine?

Thanks everyone for all your advice. It's good to know that there are others out there!

 

[Patty]

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On 9/22/2004 6:36:14 PM Amethyste wrote:

I have been a nail tech for a long time and I have some pointers to give you:

1st: exfoliate your hands everyday. I make this scrub at home and it's really easy. Remember, a little goes a long way. In a small squirt bottle, do 1/2 (dead) sea salt and 1/2 grapeseed oil, add a touch of sweet orange essential oil and if you want to splurge add also a little of lavender.
-=Amethyste----------------

Where would one buy dead sea salt, grapeseed oil and sweet orange essential? Would a beauty supply store have these things?