Painting Up to Your Cuticle?

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Dec 27, 2011

Deepti M.

I know a lot of people, including myself, go up to their cuticles when they're painting their nails. Two days ago though, my mom's friend saw my nails and told me that you're not supposed to paint up to your cuticle. Also, on some blogs, like on Temptalia's, I noticed that she never paints up to her cuticles but I figured it was just for swatching purposes (it can be difficult to get all of the color off around there.) Anybody know why I'm not supposed to paint my nails all the way?

Dec 27, 2011

Ariane C.

flooding the cuticle can keep the nail from breathing properly and can ultimately damage the nail.

Dec 27, 2011

Amelia R.

I've always done that, like, since I was 5. But I'm not sure if you're "supposed to".

Dec 27, 2011

Kristen A.

Painting up to the cuticles damages the cuticle and, over time, the nail. It's best to leave that space for the nail and cuticle to breathe. Plus, I think it creates the appearance of a longer nail.

Christine, aka Temptalia, doesn't paint up to the eponychium (the cuticle is actually underneath the eponychium) because she does swatches. I remember her posting something on it once.

Any rate, painting up to the eponychium won't damage the cuticle or the eponychium or even the nail. Some people paint up to it, some don't and neither way is correct or incorrect it's all a matter of personal preference.

Dec 27, 2011

Kristen A.

Ah. I always hear/read it was bad for your nail, so thank you for clearing that up!

Dec 28, 2011

Deepti M.

Oh, okay. Thanks so much! :) 

Dec 28, 2011

Faye F.

didnt know this and found this very interesting and helpful, thanks girls

Dec 29, 2011

Nina H.

Wow, I just learned alot!

Dec 29, 2011

Carly N.

Wow, had no idea it was that bad for your cuticle! Must stop painting to the cuticle!

Dec 29, 2011

Carly N.

Well I mean.. if it damages the cuticle over time I consider that bad. 

Dec 29, 2011

Carly N.

It cuts off the oxygen causing them to dry out leading to damage. I just read quit a few websites saying that. 

Dec 29, 2011

Latia C.

I thought I'd chime in on this discussion because it is an interesting one. If you know anything about nails, then you'd know that it is made up of the protein keratin, just like your hair. From a few articles I read, just like your hair, your nails are "dead" meaning that they do no need to "breathe." I personally paint to my cuticle area because I have not mastered stopping above the cuticle without messing it up completely and my nails haven't taken any damage, other than from acrylic nails. I see it as all personal preference, but if you really want an expert opinion on it, trying asking a professional manicurist or a doctor.

@Carly N. "It cuts off the oxygen causing them to dry out leading to damage. I just read quit a few websites saying that."

And those websites are wrong. Nails are made up of dead cells so nothing you do to your nail can actually kill the nail. Any damage that result from brittle and weak nails happened when the cell was living which is why having a healthy diet is very important. Those with chronic illnesses may never see healthy nails because of their chronic illnesses. All those strengthening polishes all those do is typically add fiberglass to your nail to make it stronger as nothing can actually make a stronger "healthier" nail once the nail has grown out.

The nail bed itself is living and is fed by your blood stream. It gets it's oxygen from your blood which in turn gets it from you breathing. Painting up to the eponychium will not cause your nails not to breath, if that were the case then painting your entire nail would be bad but again the nail bed's "oxygen supply" is fed by your blood not from the oxygen in the air.

Also the cuticle is a rigid growth underneath the eponychium which is the actual skin surrounding the nail. While sites also state that the eponychium and the cuticle are the same thing it actually is not. It's like saying the gums and teeth are same because it's all part of the mouth. Unfortunately people will continue to call the eponychium as the cuticle because, let's face it, cuticle is much easier to pronounce and remember than eponychium. 

Dec 31, 2011

Soma S.

All I know is it looks nicer if you stop the color short of the cuticle, but with your topcoat, you go all the way to the cuticle to seal in the original layer of color and make your mani/pedi last longer...? Or so I've been told by a few of my friends that have nail licenses but do not practice...  =P

I don't paint up to my cuticles because I have such a hard time making the polish look clean. To each their own, but on me, polish to the cuticle just looks messy.

A top coat, and base coat, do help make the polish last longer but it's not absolutely necessary to paint up to the eponychium. It really is a matter of preference. I think the reason many people don't paint up to the eponychium is simply because it's less work to remove any nail polish that gets on the skin. I remember when I was in cosmetology school we were taught how to avoid getting polish on the eponychium so you don't have to break out a wood cuticle stick wrapped in cotton (this was before they made pointed cotton swabs). I honestly don't miss cosmetology school but will be going back in 2012 for my license.

Dec 31, 2011

Soma S.

Good luck in going back to school, Yasmin! Haha... yeah - I don't know too much about nails... and the nail techs I knew telling me this were men that haven't practiced in at least 5 years. Hahah... they can paint nails, but it sure is awkward having your guy friend side-bust on your paint job and tell you you're doing it "all wrong" as they're doing it for you in front of their girlfriend... which in turn sits down next to you emphasizing how awesome it is to have an ex-nail tech as a bf!

Dec 31, 2011

Amanda J.

@Soma S. What? Boys who went to cosmetology school but aren't gay? SIGN ME UP!!! lol That's... freaking unheard of.

Dec 31, 2011

Soma S.

Hahaha! LOL, I actually know at least 3-4 of them that are completely straight, married, in committed relationships or just playing the field. It IS weird, and amazing how well they used to do with tips from what they tell me!

@Amanda - LMAO That reminds me of this guy I knew when I was in cosmetology school. He was very handsome and definitely straight AND a big time player.

Dec 31, 2011

DJ M.

@Soma That's hilarious and awesome!

I personally like to paint up to my cuticle, but that's just me :) 

LOL @ the three strokes. I'm actually pretty good at getting it painted in three strokes but it does depend on the brush. 

Jan 6, 2012

Angie B.

It's so interesting the difference in people's opinions on this topic. I'm personally in favor of the tiny gap. I'm so anal about how I paint my nails. One of my favorite parts is the cleanup process and getting the perfect rounded line around my cuticle area.

I'm not a fan of space - it looks like the manicure is already several days old. Go up (not over). As close as you can, but the polish should not go onto the skin at all. Doing so won't cause damage, but personally I think it looks messy.