Step-By-Step Guide to Self-Care: 6 Easy Ways to Look After Your Hands & Nails This Winter

Winter can be harsh on our hands and nails. Cold weather, central heating, and a busy festive season can leave your skin dry and your gel polish looking a little worse for wear. Now that the parties are over, it’s the perfect moment to reset, refresh, and give your nails the TLC they deserve.

Here are 6 easy, effective self-care steps to help you clean up your nails and keep them healthy, hydrated, and looking beautiful all winter long.

Remove Gel Polish the Right Way

If you’ve been rocking your Bluesky gel polish through the festive season, start with a proper, gentle removal.

• File the topcoat to break the seal

• Soak Remover Foils in our Remover and apply to nails

• Wait 10–12 minutes, then gently push off softened gel

No peeling. No ripping. No shortcuts — keeping the nail plate healthy is key to long-term strength.

Restore Moisture With Cuticle Oil

Winter = dryness, and your hands feel it first. After removal, your nails are extra thirsty.

Use our nourishing cuticle serum (preferably daily) to:

• Rehydrate dry cuticles

• Prevent hangnails

• Strengthen nail growth

• Add a natural winter glow

Massage it in for 30 seconds — it boosts circulation and makes your nails look instantly healthier.

 

Shape & Smooth Your Nails

A good shape can transform your look, even when you’re polish free.

• Gently file in one direction

• Choose a shape that suits your lifestyle (oval for strength, square for crisp edges)

• Lightly buff the surface to remove ridges without thinning the nail

This is your clean canvas for the weeks ahead.

 

Treat Your Hands to a Hydrating Winter Routine

Your hands go through a lot in the colder months — hot water, wind, heating, constant washing.

A winter hand-care ritual should include:

• A rich, creamy hand lotion (morning & night)
  

• A hydrating hand mask

• A Cuticle Oil 

Soft hands + smooth nails = instant confidence boost. 

Strengthen With a Base Coat or Treatment

Between gel manicures, give your nails a breather — but protect them. Apply:

• A vitamin-infused base coat for fragile nails

• A builder gel for added strength and shape

• A repairing treatment  if you’re going polish-free

This shields your nails from breakage while encouraging healthy growth.

Refresh With a New Winter Gel Manicure

Once your nails are clean, prepped, and pampered, it’s time for the fun part — a fresh manicure!

Some of our fave winter friendly Bluesky shades include:

• Oxblood

• Slate Grey

• Winter Sky

• Nude Sunday
  

Top with a glossy or matte topcoat and enjoy long-lasting, chip-free shine!

Colour Shown: Nude Sunday

 

The party may be over, but your self-care routine is just beginning. Winter is the perfect time to refresh your nails, clean up your hands, and set yourself up for stronger, healthier growth.

With these 6 simple steps you can keep your hands looking beautiful all season long.