Vacation Mode: ON! The beach is our idea of paradise, especially during the summer holiday. We normally plan our outfits, hit the gym, and prep our skin days or months before our vacation. Apart from these fun activities, some of us may also find ourselves searching the internet for trendy beach manicure designs or simple nail ideas that will complement each attire. As lovely as that sounds, there is more to nails than just making them pretty. We still need to protect our perfectly manicured nails from the sun, sand, and saltwater. Too much exposure to these elements can cause nail dehydration, brittleness, and discoloration, which are definitely a no-no during bright summer days! Let's have a look at this short and simple nail care guide to see what you'll need for your next beach trip. 1. Eat vitamin-rich food before and during the beach trip Good food choices are good life-long investments. Let’s nourish our bodies with proper and natural food intake! Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins or nutrients helps avoid common nail issues like horizontal/vertical ridges, brittle nails, and uneven color. Supplying our bodies with protein, antioxidants, biotin, and more minerals will enhance the strength and quality of our nails. Include in your list these 10 Best Foods to Achieve Healthy and Strong Nails and go for a quick grocery run. 2. Stay hydrated by drinking water or electrolyte-rich beverage Perfect for the summer, pair your healthy meal with a glass of water or an electrolyte-rich drink. We recommend these widely available drinks: milk, coconut or watermelon water, and other natural fruit juices and smoothies. Healthline states that electrolytes are crucial in regulating vital body functions, such as hydration. Sweat and other waste products naturally cause daily losses of electrolytes and fluids. Thus, it’s important to replenish them with a diet high in vitamins and minerals. 3. Apply sunscreen or sunblock to your hands Our hands and nails need the same sun protection during beach vacations. Remember to apply a generous amount of sunscreen/sunblock on your hands evenly, including the skin around your nails. When it comes to wearing sunscreen or sunblock, the rule of thumb is to reapply the product every 2 hours. Trivia of the day: did you know that there’s a difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock? Learn more about their proper applications here: Sunscreen And Gloves To Protect Skin During Gel Manicure. SPF will truly be your BFF this summertime! 4. Wear durable and long-lasting nail products If you want to have a relaxing and worry-free holiday, choose a nail brand that is known for its quality. You can count on iGel Beauty’s durable, strengthening, and long-lasting gel polishes and iGel Dual - Gel Base Coat + No Cleanse Top Coat! We highly recommend reading these 9 Gel Nail Polish Mistakes You Should Avoid for a successful gel mani session. Whether you’re going for a minimalist or loud, colorful nail idea, you’re sure to find the perfect summer colors with our huge and popular gel collections. 5. Moisturize your nails with lotion or cuticle oil We are exposed to the intense heat of the sun every summer, and this extreme environment can cause a lack of moisture in our skin. With all the back-to-back getaways, this also means nonstop showers and washing our hands more than usual, which can further contribute to dehydration. To prevent flaky, dry hands, bring a moisturizing oil-based lotion or nourishing cuticle oil, like Dip & Dap - 5 Nourish Oil. Get inspired by these 5 Steps on Practicing Nail Care and start your nail care journey! 6. Pack a nail cleaning and emergency kit Aside from packing the usual clothes and toiletries, we also should build a nail kit for quick cleaning and emergencies. This kit will come in handy on the beach when we spot some minor nail chipping or skin scratches. Let’s be ready for anything that can happen during our travels! Here is our care package checklist for all iGel Beauties: · iGel Gel Base Coat 0.5 oz· Gel Polish· iGel No Cleanse Top Coat 0.5 oz· LED PRO Mini Lamp· Nail File· Nail Clipper· Cuticle Trimmer· Acetone· Cotton Ball/Pads· Toothpick· Petroleum Jelly· Band-Aid There’s no doubt that it’s always fun out in the sun! This summertime, take lots of photos and make each day unforgettable. Flaunt your beautiful nails on your Instagram stories or posts and tag us at @igelbeauty. Do you want to share more summer tips? We would be more than happy to hear them in our iGel Beauty Facebook Community. Relax and let this easy summer nail care guide help you handle the preparation part of the trip. So don’t worry, beach happy! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa curates tutorials, tips, and trends to inspire nail lovers worldwide.