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DCL
It's no secret that nail polish contains toxic chemicals—like toluene, which has been associated with symptoms like headaches and spontaneous abortions—but going color-free doesn't have to mean ugly nails. The secret is in the buffing, which flattens out the ridges and uneven spots on each nail, and in neatly trimmed cuticles.
Start by soaking your fingers in warm water and exfoliating your hands with a homemade scrub; then trim your cuticles and shape them with a piece of soft flannel (that scrap in your craft box will work nicely; just make sure it's clean). Then buff with the flannel-or an emery board or square buffer, if you already have one-and finish with a homemade lotion. Voila! Shiny, non-toxic nails at a fraction of the salon price.
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