Fashion designers in the know (from NYC to Paris to London to Milan) trust their model’s nails to CND (formerly Creative Nail Design) and their chief nail stylist, Roxanne Valinoti. I had a moment to chat with her before the madness, better known as NY Fashion Week, began. Read on to see what she shares about healthy nails:

1. How often should women get a manicure? How often is too much?
Getting a manicure once a week or bi-monthly is enough. Any more than once a week is too often because the removal of enamel can have a drying effect on the nails.

2. What makes polish chip?
There are many different reasons why enamels chip. It can depend on anything from the nail polish formulation, to the natural nail itself. If the natural nail is dry and delaminated, enamel will quickly peel away. Everyday activity can wreak havoc on nails too. Always wear gloves when you can and treat nails as “jewels, not tools”.
A good base coat followed by 2 coats of enamel and topcoat should allow 5-7 days of chip proof nails.

3. Any special tips to keeping manicures lasting as long as possible?
The best way to keep polish lasting the longest is to:
1. Lightly buff the surface of the natural nail with a soft file to remove surface oils.
2. Dehydrate by scubbing the nail with cotton and an acetone based cleanser
3. Always use a base coat. Base coats are designed to anchor nail enamel to the base for longer wearability. I love CND Sticky base coat because it stays sticky until you apply enamel to it.

4. What is the best way to combat dry, chapped winter hands?
Always wear gloves when going out into the cold. The extreme temperature changes can deplete skin of moisture.

5. What is your favorite brand of polish?
CND, of course. They use the highest quality ingredients and it has a very nice viscosity that allows me to use the entire bottle without it becoming thick. The colors are very fashion forward and are a fashion statement of their own.

6. How can women keep their nails super strong?
First, you need to know that super strong nails don’t necessarily mean that they will not break. Nail strength should be a combination of toughness and flexibility. If they are too super hard they will be brittle and crack. Keeping nails coated is the best thing to do, whether it be nail enamel or a professional coating like gel or liquid and powder. This will hold in the natural oils and keep nails from losing moisture. Always apply a good cuticle oil daily to keep the nail flexible, and prevent cracking and delamination. I recommend Solar Oil, particularly for its penetrating ability.

7. What are things women should look out for when choosing a nail salon?
First and foremost - - Salon Wellness. Make sure the salon is clean. Look to make sure they wash their hands before each service and are disinfecting tables and metal implements between use. Customized Client Service is always important as well. Make sure you can communicate your needs properly and are serviced by a well educated professional - - this should be standard in any salon.

8. What are some of the hottest colors for this upcoming spring/summer season?
Spring / Summer is defined by transparent and candy colored see-throughs. Sheer pinks and blues are perfect for fingers, while bright pinks, corals and oranges look great on toes.

9. The skin on hands tends to age more rapidly, how do you keep younger looking hands?
The hands can sometimes tell a woman’s age more than her face! Exfoliation is just as important on the hands as it is on the face. This will keep skin looking fresh. Always follow with a good moisturizer. If you are going outside, it is important to apply sunscreen.

10. What is your favorite manicured look? (nude vs. color, long vs. short, oval vs. square, etc)
Personally, I love the nails to look as natural they can. I love longer oval nails that look feminine. Unfortunately I don’t have great nails, so I create them by using Gel. That keeps them shaped perfectly and keeps them protected.

11. The machinery that is used in nail salons is said to be dangerous to the nails and hands; Is this true?
Nothing is dangerous if used properly. All chemicals and tools can be used safely with the proper education.

12. Are the cuticles supposed to be clipped or pushed back?
Eponychium is the term for the skin we commonly refer to as “cuticle.” This thin skin is living and should not be cut to prevent infection to the matrix. Cutting also promotes more skin growth, creating a harder callused “cuticle”. True cuticle is actually dead skin cells that are usually found stuck to the nail plate and can interfere with the enamel adhering smoothly. If you get a hang nail or dry skin tab, it’s ok to cut. Follow up with a treatment that will repair damaged skin, like Rejuvenator which has copper peptides. Pushing the cuticle back is easy to do. In the shower when the skin is moist, use a washcloth to gently push back your cuticles and use an AHA cream, like Cuticle Eraser, daily to micro exfoliate dry skin and hangnails.

13. What are the best ways to keeping your feet in shape during the winter without getting a pedicure?
Keep dry heels exfoliated daily with a foot file in the shower. At night slather on Cucumber Heel Therapy which will aid in the repair of dry, cracked skin.

14. What’s the best way to deal with nail fungus issues?
Always refer to a professional medical practitioner, podiatrist or dermatologist.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, nails, manicures, 2008 fall fashion week, New York Fashion Week, beauty report, CND, Creative Nail Designs, Roxanne Valinoti

**Photos Courtesy of Google**

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