Secrets to smoother, healthier hands

THE REALIST

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Strengthen brittle nails

Your nails become more prone to peeling and breaking as you age because your body produces less moisture.

WHAT TODO: Boost nail growth, since a fresher nail equals a stronger one. Dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, based in Washington, D.C., recommends taking three milligrams of biotin a day. “It won’t increase the quality of the nail, but it will speed up growth,” she says. Besides keeping nails short to minimize damage, take a break from using drying polish removers: “It’s important to keep the cuticle area moisturized so the nail matrix can continue to deliver blood and nutrients, resulting in a faster-growing nail that’s less brittle,” says Tanzi. One of Engelman’s favorite solutions for brittle nails is Nail Tek II ($6; target.com). “Apply it twicea day—the proteins seal the brittlenaillayers together,” she says. NEXT LEVEL: Brittle nails could also signal a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder. See your doctor if there’s no improvement in three to six months, says Tanzi.

TREAT HAND CALLUSES

You’ve been working hard at the gym or out shoveling snow, and you’ve got hard yellow patches on your palms. “Anytime there’s consistent friction in one area of the hand, the skin reacts by getting thicker,” says Mona Gohara, a dermatologist based in Danbury, Connecticut.

WHAT TODO: Reduce calluses by soaking hands in warm water. Then exfoliate the area with a pumice stone or a paste (see right). You can also apply a moisturizer with urea, a humectant that will break down and soften the callus. Try Excipial 20% Urea Intensive Healing Cream ($12; cvs.com). The only way to truly protect hands, though, is withgloves.

Minimize veins

As we get older, we lose fat in our hands, making veins more noticeable. Exacerbating the problem is sun exposure, which “breaks down collagen and elastin in our hands,” explains Engelman.

WHAT TODO: You can hide the appearance of veins with a heavyduty concealer, like Dermablend Leg and Body Cover ($31; dermablend.com). To stimulate collagen production so skin is less translucent, use a glycolic or retinol cream, such as Hand MD Restorative Duo ($35; buyhandmd.com).

NEXT LEVEL: Apply a prescription-strength topical, like Retin-A (which will also improve skin tone and texture). Talk to your dermatologist about hyaluronic acid fillers (like Restylaneand Juvéderm, $750 to $1,000 per treatment), which thicken skin by creating new collagen fibers, and Radiesse ($900to $1,500 per treatment), a calciumbased filler. Cream ($12; juicebeauty .com). “Follow with a nightly glycolic exfoliant,” saysJoshua Zeichner, adermatologist in New York City. NEXT LEVEL: Still seeing spots? Ask your doctor about a prescriptionstrength retinoid, like Retin-A. The Yag in-office laser treatment ($250 to $500 per session) works for flat brown spots with clear borders, says Zeichner. For lots of brown or red spots, an Intense Pulsed Light ($400 to $600 per treatment) is a good bet. Or there’s the Fraxel laser ($1,200 to $1,500 per treatment), best for both sunspots and crepey skin.

Fade age spots

The skin on your hands is often exposed to UV rays. Spots happen.

WHAT TODO: To prevent future damage, smooth ona dime-size drop of lotion with SPF, or spritz hands with a quick-drying SPF spray, every day before heading outside. For special occasions, try a tinted SPF powder to hide imperfections and protect. Treat existing spots with a lightening creamthat has 2 percent hydroquinone or natural brighteners like vitamin C. Try Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Hand

RUB ONA PASTE OF WARM WATERAND SUGAR TOHELP REDUCE CALLUSES, SAYS GOHARA, TRY SUPERGOOP SUNSCREENMIST, $13; SEPHORA.COM.

PREVENT SWEATYPALMS

There’s often no known cause for palmar hyperhidrosis, a skin condition in which the sweat glands on your palms excrete extra moisture.

WHAT TODO: “If you apply an aluminum-based antiperspirant to dry palms at night, that will plug your hands’ sweat glands, preventing wetness from reaching the skin’s surface for the day,” says Zeichner. Start with an over-thecounter option, such as Certain Dri ($7; target.com). NEXT LEVEL: Consider asking your doctor for a prescription-based antiperspirant, such as Drysol or Hypercare. Finally, there’s Botox, which prevents nerve signals from reaching the sweat gland. It’s fairly painful and requires 20 to 30 injections in the palms and fingertips, and it needs to be repeated every three to six months (each treatment costs $1,500). “You can experience some muscle weakness, so it’s not a great option for people who use their hands foraliving,”notesRachel Nazarian, a dermatologist based in New York City.

Drugstore cheat sheet

The best beauty products in the aisles, handpicked by a pro

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THE REALIST

beauty THIS MONTH’S EXPERT

MAKEUP ARTIST MONIKA BLUNDER

Blunder, born in Austria andnow based in Los Angeles,is a celebrity makeup artist whose client list includes Jessica Alba, Amanda Seyfried, and Emilia Clarke. Blunder also shares smart, cheery makeup tutorials and product picks on her eponymous YouTube channel.

1 MILANI BAKED BRONZER

“Apply it all over for a warm glow or as a highlighter on the tops of cheeks. I like to use a stippling brush to ensure I don’t overdo it.”

TO BUY: $10; milani cosmetics.com.

Photograph by James Wojcik

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5 2 OLAY MAKEUP REMOVER WET CLOTHS

“These remove all traces of makeup— even waterproof mascara—without irritation.”

TO BUY: $6; olay.com.

3 REVLON BALM STAIN

“I always use this when a model or an actress needs a natural look. It’s just enough color, and it’s super hydrating.”

TO BUY: $9; ulta.com.

6 COVERGIRL LASHBLAST VOLUME MASCARA

“A staple in my kit, this plumps up even the tiniest lashes in just two coats. For serious drama, wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes before combing through.”

4 NO7 STAYPERFECT FOUNDATION

“This gives light coverage—just enough to conceal redness and even out skin tone. Using a foundation brush, blend out from the center for a natural finish.”

TO BUY: $16; target.com.

5 MAYBELLINE MASTER PRECISE INK PEN LINER

“The superfine tip allows total control and makes applying liquid liner easy. Nestle the point at the lash line and use small strokes, working your way outward.”

TO BUY: $7; at drugstores.

TO BUY: $9; at drugstores.

BRAS JUST GOT BETTER

From so delicate to super supportive, this collection of new-and-improved unmentionables is definitely worth talking about.

PROP AND SOFT-GOODS STYLING BY JULIE FLYNN FOR HALLEY RESOURCES

Written by

Rebecca Daly

Photographs by

Yunhee Kim

Not just a pretty detail, the scalloped edge on this bra gives it a seamless finish—and a smooth line under any top. TO BUY: Allegra bra, $74; journelle.com.