https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/6929476#M127760 <P>Thanks for the tag,&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/277471">@sister13</a>&nbsp;! And sorry for the delayed reply,&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/6466949">@Portcitygirl</a>&nbsp;! I’m gonna tag&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/724285">@RGbrown</a>&nbsp;for even more nail expertise, though I think you should see a board certified dermatologist or other doc (if you haven’t already) for personalized treatment options. I’m not a derm or medical doctor, so consider my rambling advice with a healthy pinch of salt. <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":winking_face:">😉</span>&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Nails grow from a matrix located under the skin between the bottom of the nail plate and the last knuckle of each finger. The skin fold at the bottom of the nail—that thing most of us grew up calling the “cuticle”—is actually the proximal nail fold, which is living skin. The cuticle is actually dead skin cells that stick to the nail plate and can’t be clipped with “cuticle nippers.” The cuticle and the proximal nail fold work together as an anti-cootie shield for each nail: they keep bacteria and other yuck from getting under your skin and damaging the nail matrix. That’s why dermatologists say cutting that skin fold is generally a bad idea. So is digging up under that skin fold, to the point where the skin’s pushed up off the nail plate; that breaks the anti-cootie shield. If you normally cut that skin fold, definitely stop doing that unless you’ve got a very obvious hangnail there—and try to clip just the hangnail, not living skin.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Antibiotic creams will only target bacteria, and your issue might not be a bacterial infection. The nail matrix on each finger might have some chemo related damage. Again, I’m not a doctor, so don’t take that last bit as fact. A dermatologist or primary care doctor is far better suited than I to determine that. I mean, you could have a bacterial infection in the nail matrix that requires oral antibiotics instead of topical creams. Or it could be another type of infection or damage. Or it could require a dietary change beyond biotin supplements. (Eh, I don’t think there’s any scientific data yet that shows biotin supplements actually make nails grow.)&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Do you use any type of oil (besides tea tree oil) on your nails and the skin folds around the nails? It’s good to get into at least a twice-daily habit of that: once in the morning and once at bedtime. Doesn’t have to be some fancy heavily fragranced “cuticle oil” either. I use 1-2 drops of&nbsp;<LI-PRODUCT title="The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL" id="P427415_2031417"></LI-PRODUCT>&nbsp;plus 1-2 drops of plain ol’ jojoba oil (I usually buy mine from Trader Joe’s), and sometimes I mix in a drop of Necessaire’s body oil (beware: it comes with a terrible dropper top that will pop off if you close the lid even remotely tightly). I apply that at night before bed, then top it with a rich hand cream or body lotion. Sometimes I also apply a petrolatum-based ointment for maximum moisture retention: Aquaphor, CeraVe Healing Ointment, or Kerasal Intense Repair Foot Ointment. In the morning, I usually pick one or two of those oils. Throughout the day, I reapply oil each time my hands get wet; I’ve been using Byoma’s facial oil for this at home, and I keep a refillable “cuticle oil” pen full of my own oil blend in my bag for on-the-go application.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Basically, I focus more on the health of the skin folds around my nails than the actual nail plate. The healthier that skin is, the stronger my nails become. But I didn’t go through years of chemo (I hope you‘re cancer-free! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span>), so your nails’ needs might be greater than mine. Heck, a derm might even prescribe a special Rx nail strengthener you can apply to your nails; I don’t recall what they’re called (I’ve seen a couple of ‘em), but I do remember they cost $500+ USD per bottle. <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grimacing_face:">😬</span></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>A few other things you may want to try:&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><UL><LI>If you normally use nail clippers, stop. Use a nail file instead to shape or shorten your nails. This helped my nails stop getting side splits deep in the nail bed; I’m convinced clippers create too much stress on my nails, resulting in splits.&nbsp;<BR /><BR /></LI><LI>Use a glass nail file instead of an emory board. A glass file will create smoother edges and can shorten/shape nails faster than an emory board can. I think <LI-PRODUCT title="SEPHORA COLLECTION Reusable Glass Nail File" id="P503761_2598431"></LI-PRODUCT>&nbsp;is still available, though I’m not sure if it’s an etched glass file (which should last for years) or has a sprayed-on texture (which will wear away until you’re left with a smooth glass stick instead of a file). I’ve got 2 older Sephora glass files that are still going strong, so hopefully this newer one’s also a goodie. I also have a Germanikure etched glass file that works wonders.&nbsp;<BR /><BR /></LI><LI>Keep your nails polished as often as possible. Doesn’t always have to be nail lacquer; even just a couple layers of base coat alone can help protect your nails. And you might not need a strengthening/hardening base coat (unless a derm says otherwise), especially if the root cause of your vertical splits is in the nail matrix instead of the nail plate.&nbsp;</LI></UL><P>&nbsp;</P><P>I know this was&nbsp;<EM>a lot</EM> of rambling <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grinning_face_with_sweat:">😅</span>… I hope at least something in there is helpful! And hats off to you for enduring chemo and everything that comes with it!</P> Sun, 26 May 2024 11:55:40 GMT WinglessOne 2024-05-26T11:55:40Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194212#M4890 <CENTER><div class="video-embed-center video-embed"><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FDMXH4q8Yt8c%3Ffeature%3Doembed&amp;display_name=YouTube&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDMXH4q8Yt8c&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FDMXH4q8Yt8c%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="400" height="225" scrolling="no" title="3 Steps to Getting Started in the Beauty Insider Community" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div></CENTER> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Hello beautiful people! Although many of you are familiar with the Beauty Insider Community – aka the BIC - we wanted to give some tips on how to navigate if you are new around here!</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>If you are new, first of all, we want to welcome you to Sephora’s Beauty Insider Community, your one-stop destination to share beauty advice, inspiration, news, and recommendations with real people in real time. We want you to feel comfortable in the BIC, so in the video above, Team BIC members <a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a> and <a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a> outline the first 3 basic steps to get started.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Step 1:</P> <P>First step, let’s work on your <STRONG><U><A href="https://www.sephora.com/profile/me?om_mmc=oth-bt-sst-prifile-20200219-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Profile!</A><A href="https://www.sephora.com/profile/me?om_mmc=oth-bt-sst-prifile-20200219-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;</A></U></STRONG>Pick a user name, add a photo, and tell us more about you!</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Step 2:</P> <P>Join groups! Head to the <STRONG><U><A href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/custom/page/page-id/GroupsLandingPage?om_mmc=oth-bt-sst-groups-20200219-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Groups page</A></U></STRONG> to browse and join different groups that speak to you and find conversations based on your beauty interests.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Step 3:</P> <P>Introduce yourself in our latest <STRONG><U><A href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-Now/Introduce-Yourself-New-Member-Monday/m-p/5074797?om_mmc=oth-bt-sst-NewMemberMonday-20200219-NewMemberMonday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Member Monday</A></U></STRONG>&nbsp;thread, which we feature &nbsp;the first Monday of every month! Need a little help figuring out how to post a reply or start a new thread in Community? No problem - check out our thread <U><STRONG><A href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-Now/How-to-Post-New-Threads-and-Reply-in-the-Beauty-Insider/td-p/5543720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Post in Community</A></STRONG></U> thread and video.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>This Community is a place for friendly discussion, questions, photo sharing, product recommendations, sharing experiences, and connecting with other beauty lovers like yourself – whether you’re a pro or a newbie, or somewhere in between.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>We’re so excited you’re here! If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to ask -- this community LOVES to help.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P><STRONG><EM>Now, which part of the BIC are you most excited to explore? &nbsp;Let us know by hitting the reply button below!</EM></STRONG></P> Wed, 16 Dec 2020 23:20:23 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194212#M4890 TeamBIC 2020-12-16T23:20:23Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194290#M4891 <P>Lookin' good,&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>&nbsp;!</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:05:33 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194290#M4891 AlexBT 2020-02-20T01:05:33Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194292#M4892 <P>LOL thanks&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3530553">@AlexBT</a>&nbsp;<span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:">😄</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 01:05:57 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194292#M4892 KatieBT 2020-02-20T01:05:57Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194819#M4893 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>&nbsp;love this video!!! You both are gorgeous!!!</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 10:03:34 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194819#M4893 SportyGirly125 2020-02-20T10:03:34Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194908#M4894 <P>Oh em gee&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>&nbsp;you are both so cute. <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":smiling_face_with_heart_eyes:">😍</span><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":face_blowing_a_kiss:">😘</span>🥰 Love this !</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 13:46:26 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5194908#M4894 blackkitty2014 2020-02-20T13:46:26Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195089#M4895 <P>This is a great video&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>! Love it! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":growing_heart:">💗</span><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":two_hearts:">💕</span> You’re both amazing! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":hugging_face:">🤗</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:41:37 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195089#M4895 itsfi 2020-02-20T16:41:37Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195118#M4896 <P>Aw thanks so much&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/229737">@SportyGirly125</a>&nbsp;<span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 17:03:42 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195118#M4896 KatieBT 2020-02-20T17:03:42Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195119#M4897 <P>Hee hee! Thank you for the kind words,&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/415758">@blackkitty2014</a>&nbsp;<span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 17:04:16 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195119#M4897 KatieBT 2020-02-20T17:04:16Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195121#M4898 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2307169">@itsfi</a>&nbsp;no, you’re amazing! Ok ok, we don’t need to start that but it’s true and I appreciate your sweet comment <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 17:05:24 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195121#M4898 KatieBT 2020-02-20T17:05:24Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195181#M4899 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;, <a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>&nbsp;, great intro video!&nbsp; Especially love the sparkly BIC jacket on Katie! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":smiling_face_with_heart_eyes:">😍</span></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Will this be a pinned post for easy access? Or maybe this can be linked in the New Member Monday posts as a great starting point for new community members?</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 17:55:32 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195181#M4899 MlleCC 2020-02-20T17:55:32Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195208#M4900 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/382203">@MlleCC</a>&nbsp;Yes yes yes! All amazing ideas. We're working on getting it incorporated in a few different places around Community for easy access - New Member Monday included! - but since it's live we wanted to get a head start and show it off to our favorite people first. <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> <P>Thanks for lookin' out for our lovely newbies (and for the compliments!) <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:30:03 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195208#M4900 AlexBT 2020-02-20T18:30:03Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195212#M4901 <P>Aww you’re too sweet&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>!🥰 &nbsp;Seriously love the personal touch of this video to those new to the community! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":sparkling_heart:">💖</span>&nbsp;</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:33:01 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195212#M4901 itsfi 2020-02-20T18:33:01Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195217#M4902 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>, Super cute video and could you two even be more adorable?!&nbsp; Love it!&nbsp; <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:41:05 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195217#M4902 mrsmouse 2020-02-20T18:41:05Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195220#M4903 <P>Seriously&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp;you both look liked pro. You both are so natural at this. <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":smiling_face_with_heart_eyes:">😍</span>🥰<span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":face_blowing_a_kiss:">😘</span><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":thumbs_up:">👍</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:42:19 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195220#M4903 blackkitty2014 2020-02-20T18:42:19Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195345#M4904 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/612721">@KatieBT</a>&nbsp; and &nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2394161">@BrendaBT</a>&nbsp; love this video! Both did an awesome job explains how to use BIC. This is perfect for all the newcomers!! <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":two_hearts:">💕</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 20:25:16 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195345#M4904 ather 2020-02-20T20:25:16Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195434#M4905 How to get ur winter hair to look fresh again even after going to the salon Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:11:11 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195434#M4905 Anonymous 2020-02-20T21:11:11Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195603#M4906 <P>hahah thanks&nbsp;<a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3530553">@AlexBT</a>&nbsp; <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:">😄</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 23:23:58 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195603#M4906 BrendaBT 2020-02-20T23:23:58Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195604#M4907 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/229737">@SportyGirly125</a>&nbsp; Awe you're so sweet! Thank you <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":slightly_smiling_face:">🙂</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 23:24:32 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195604#M4907 BrendaBT 2020-02-20T23:24:32Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195606#M4908 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/415758">@blackkitty2014</a>&nbsp;Thank you so much <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span><span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span></P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 23:26:15 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195606#M4908 BrendaBT 2020-02-20T23:26:15Z https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195610#M4909 <P><a href="https://community.sephora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2307169">@itsfi</a>&nbsp;Thank you so much<span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span> It was so much fun and happy it can be helpful to newer community members!</P> Thu, 20 Feb 2020 23:29:12 GMT https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-at-Sephora/New-to-Community-Here-are-3-Steps-to-Get-Started/m-p/5195610#M4909 BrendaBT 2020-02-20T23:29:12Z