With the change in seasons and cold-weather here to stay, we asked the founder of Le Rouge à Ongles, Elise Khettat, to unveil her tips to maintain smooth and moisturized hands right in time for winter.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR HAND CARE ROUTINE?
Elise Khettat — Founder of Le Rouge à Ongles
First and foremost, I believe that taking care of your hands is just as important as taking care of your face. I abide by a routine that I follow once a week and daily for soft, hydrated and plumped hands.
Each week, I treat my hands to a real moment of relaxation. After washing them thoroughly with a gentle soap, I apply the Smoothing Body Scrub from Tata Harper to dry skin. I massage them delicately for several minutes, remembering to pass over each nail in order to exfoliate the contour of the nails and rinse it off with clean water.
What I love most about this scrub is that it exfoliates dead skin away while preparing my hands to receive a manicure, and that the exfoliating particles are biodegradable. It basically does it all!
Next, to fully unwind, I apply a thick layer of the Supreme Moisture Mask from Nuori, without forgetting the contour of my nails and my cuticles. I leave it on until absorbed.
Then, I do an oil-based self-massage on my hands. I particularly like The Body Oil from Augustinus Bader which will stimulate the functions of the skin barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss which makes the skin more sensitive to dehydration. As with the previous steps, I also massage around the nails to nourish my cuticles.
On a daily basis, I apply a moisturizing hand cream 2 to 3 times a day – or as often as my skin needs it, especially in winter as our skin tends to dry out very quickly in the cold. I recommend The Hand Treatment from Augustinus Bader as it is ultra nourishing and soothing.
And I always carry a cuticle oil that I apply several times a day. The Nail + Cuticle Creme from Huna is a very practical format to have in your pocket or bag at all times! Moisturizing your cuticles helps soften them and gently push them back for a clean nail base.
Final tip: if would like to apply nail polish following your hand care routine, remember to degrease your nails with a gentle nail polish remover, as cream or oil residue on the nails prevents the varnish from applying and lasting long-term.
FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SHADES OF NAIL POLISH TO WELCOME FALL AND WINTER?
My favourite shades for this time of the year are Arsenal, Luxembourg and Opéra.
Discover Le Rouge à Ongles at Etiket in store or online.
