One negative about working in a kitchen is that it devours your hands. Nail polish is a no-no because you don’t want it chipping off into someone’s food. So here’s my home recipe for a manicure that will leave your hands soft and smooth :

Ingredients:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Nail buffer
• Cuticle cutter (these jobs are expensive, like almost $20, but like a quality pair of tweezers, they will last you for years)
• Tablespoon of baking soda
• Two tablespoon of kosher salt or sea salt, divided
• Tablespoon of olive, vegetable or mineral oil
• Large slice of a lemon or lime

Clip nails to desired length. File nails in desired shape. Buff the rough edges. Soak nails a small, shallow dish of baking soda and one tablespoon of salt dissolved in warm water for several minutes. Cut your cuticles. Dry hands.

Put salt and oil in the palm of your hands and make like you are washing your hands. Rub it in good and hard and in every little crevice. Squeeze citrus juice over your hands and nails (you may want to skip this part if you have any open cuts or burns). Rinse with warm water and a very mild soap. Dry. Follow with some good hand cream if you need it.

Now, if you want fancy extensions with airbrushed Mercedes-Benz’s and diamonds on them, I can’t help you. I don’t think anyone can.