DIY nail care tricks

It's not always necessary to go to a nail salon when you can achieve the same look in the privacy of your own home using items from your pantry and medicine cabinet. Here's how to do it yourself and save.

If you want nail salon clean nails, here's what you need to do:

• Cleaning only: Soak your nails for five minutes in a bowl of water in which two denture tablets have been dissolved. While this method may seem odd, it stands to reason because teeth and nails are made of the same substance — keratin.
• Whitening while you clean: Whiten and clean fingernails by soaking them in 250 millilitres (one cup) of lukewarm water and the juice of half a lemon for five minutes, then rub the inside of the lemon rind against the nails.

No need to buy cuticle cream. Instead, reach for the olive oil, sweet almond oil, baby oil, vegetable shortening or even lip balm. Taking good care of cuticles will also discourage hangnails — a sign that both your nails and cuticles are too dry. As you massage oil into your cuticles, go ahead and oil the whole nail. No splits, no breaks and less chance of an annoying hangnail in the near future.

Got a chip? Not on your shoulder, but on a polished toenail? If you're in a place where you can't repair it properly, dig into your purse and grab a lip pencil or lipstick and add colour to the chipped spot. It won't hold for long, but it ought to get you through the duration of lunch, dinner or a movie. You can always reapply this temporary fix in the ladies' room.

You're late for your friend's wedding, but your nails are still too wet with polish to risk opening the car door. Quick! Open the freezer and stick your hands in. Your nails will be dry in a jiffy and you can be on your way in no time.

Sure it's fun to go to the salon to get your nails done, but these easy DIY nail care remedies will keep your nails looking great in a pinch.