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Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

<p>A Hilton guest in Nashville has experienced the stuff of nightmares during his overnight stay, having woken in the middle of the night to find the hotel’s manager sucking on his toes. </p> <p>The now-former employee allegedly crept into Peter Brennan’s room using a ‘ghost key card’, according to Brennan’s lawyer, and a warrant has been placed for the arrest of the 52-year-old culprit, David Neal. </p> <p>Brennan is also looking to sue the Hilton Hotel where the incident occurred, <em>WSMV</em> have reported. </p> <p>“I woke up at about 5am,” Brennan explained, “and I was being sexually assaulted by a man who had broken into my room.”</p> <p>Metro police reported that Neal was the night manager at the establishment, and attorney Michael Fisher has claimed that Neal had access to hotel keys despite a criminal past. </p> <p>As court documents note, Neal was previously indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury in 1996 for second-degree murder in relation to his roommate’s death. In 1997, a jury had found him guilty of manslaughter, while Neal claimed self-defence.</p> <p>And as <em>WKRN</em> have reported, for his 2023 toe sucking offence, Neal allegedly told investigators that he had gone into Brennan’s room without permission using a duplicate key because he could smell smoke and had wanted to check in on its occupant. </p> <p>Brennan, upon waking to find Neal there, confronted his assaulter immediately. He also recognised him as someone who had entered his room the previous day, alongside another hotel employee, to check out a TV issue with the room.</p> <p>"[I] instantly jumped up and was screaming,” he told <em>News Channel 5</em>. “Went into sort of fact-finding mode. ‘Who are you? Why are you in my room? What are you doing here?’</p> <p>"I could see he was wearing a uniform, he had his name tag on. He was talking to me but not giving me any substantive answers."</p> <p>A spokesperson for the hotel directed the station to the hotel’s local manager for comment, though they refused to comment, telling them that “the safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and, as part of company policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations."</p> <p>Which can’t have come as much comfort to Brennan, who was trying to come to terms with what he’d been through, and noted that he was “having problems sleeping frankly, I’m going through some PTSD, talking to a therapist.</p> <p>"I still don’t really feel safe in my own home."</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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10 subtle signs of disease your feet can reveal

<h2>You notice: Dry, flaky feet</h2> <p>It could be: Thyroid problems, especially if moisturiser doesn’t help. When the thyroid gland (the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck) isn’t working properly, it doesn’t produce thyroid hormones, which control metabolic rate, blood pressure, tissue growth and skeletal and nervous system development. “Thyroid problems cause severe dryness of the skin,” says foot specialist Marlene Reid. “When we see cracking on the feet, or if moisturiser doesn’t improve dryness over a few days, we usually refer patients to their primary doctor to make sure their thyroids are okay.” Brittle toenails can also signal thyroid complications.</p> <h2>You notice: Bald toes</h2> <p>It could be: Arterial disease. If the fuzz on your toes suddenly disappears, it could signal poor blood circulation caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) which builds up plaque in the leg arteries. “Signs of PAD can include decreased hair growth on the feet and ankles, purplish toes and thin or shiny skin,” says podiatric surgeon Suzanne Fuchs. Symptoms are subtle, but doctors can check for a healthy pulse in the foot. In severe cases, they may spot PAD on an X-ray. “If I take an X-ray of a broken foot, and I see a hardening of the arteries, 99 per cent of the time the same thing is happening in the heart blood vessels,” says podiatric surgeon Gary A. Pichney.</p> <h2>You notice: Ulcers that don’t heal</h2> <p>It could be: Diabetes. Uncontrolled glucose levels can damage nerves and cause poor circulation, so blood doesn’t reach all areas of the body, including the feet. When blood doesn’t get to a wound caused by, say, irritating shoes, the skin doesn’t heal properly, and that’s how diabetic blisters and ulcers can develop. “Many, many people with diabetes are diagnosed first because of foot problems,” says Reid. Other signs of diabetes may include persistent tingling or numbness of the feet. If you suffer from these foot problems, ask your doctor about getting your blood sugar levels tested.</p> <h2>You notice: An enlarged, painful big toe</h2> <p>It could be: Gout. Gorged on wine and steak? The painful aftermath could be gout, a type of arthritis that often affects the joint of the big toe. Foods high in purine, a chemical compound found in red meats, fish and certain alcohol, can trigger an attack by raising levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is normally excreted through urine, but is overproduced or under-excreted in some people. “You’ll see the deposition of the uric acid in the joint, most commonly the big toe or the ankle,” says podiatric foot and ankle specialist Bob Baravarian. “The patient will wake up with a hard, red, swollen joint. It’s extremely painful.” A doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for short-term relief and medicines to reduce uric acid production. You may also need to follow a low-purine diet for long-term prevention.</p> <h2>You notice: Small, red lines under the toenail</h2> <p>It could be: A heart infection. Red streaks underneath the toenails or fingernails could be broken blood vessels known as splinter haemorrhages. While problems like psoriasis, fungal infection, or even just experiencing trauma to the nail can cause splinter haemorrhages, it can also be a sign of endocarditis, or an infection of the heart’s inner lining, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. (Keep in mind this is a rare condition.) People who have an existing heart condition are at higher risk of developing endocarditis. The infection can result in heart failure if left untreated. If you notice splinter haemorrhages on your toenails or fingernails, and haven’t experienced any recent trauma to the nail, see your doctor to check your heart and blood circulation.</p> <h2>You notice: Clubbing</h2> <p>It could be: Lung cancer or heart disease.</p> <p>Another symptom that appears in both toes and fingers, clubbing is often associated with lung cancer, chronic lung infection, or heart conditions caused by birth defects or infection of the lining of heart valves and chambers. Clubbing often occurs in these conditions because of the lower amount of oxygen in the blood. The tissue swells and results in the ‘clubbed’ appearance – rounder, wider fingers and toes. Though patients are typically aware they have a disease that is causing the clubbing, it’s best to get checked if you see any abnormalities.</p> <h2>You notice: Pitted toenails</h2> <p>It could be: Psoriasis.</p> <p>If you find tiny holes, grooves or ridges in your toenails, you may have nail psoriasis. Though most people who experience nail psoriasis also have skin psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that makes skin patchy and irritated), five per cent of people with nail psoriasis aren’t affected elsewhere. “If you’ve never been diagnosed with psoriasis, but your toenails have little pits in them, you should get them checked out,” says Pichney. Other symptoms include white patches and horizontal lines across the nails. To treat psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe topical creams or steroids injected under the nail.</p> <h2>You notice: Spooned nails</h2> <p>It could be: Anaemia or lupus.</p> <p>Do you have a depression in the toenail deep enough to hold a water droplet? Also known as koilonychias, spoon-shaped toenails or fingernails are most commonly associated with an iron deficiency, research shows, but it can also come from malnutrition, thyroid disorders or injury. Spooned nails occasionally appear in infants, but normalise in the first few years of life. If you notice spooning, contact your physician, who will obtain a blood test to identify the exact cause.</p> <h2>You notice: A straight line under your toenails</h2> <p>It could be: Skin cancer.</p> <p>A dark, vertical line underneath a toenail could be acral lentiginous melanoma, or hidden melanoma – a form of the skin cancer that appears on obscure body parts. (Other hidden melanomas include eye melanoma and mouth melanoma.) “It will be a black line from the base of your nail to the end of the nail,” says Pichney. “It should be seen by a podiatrist or dermatologist. You want to make sure it’s not cancer, but it may be a fungus, which is usually yellow-brown and sporadic throughout the whole nail.”</p> <h2>You notice: A suddenly high arch</h2> <p>It could be: Nerve damage.</p> <p>“Most high-arched feet are associated with some form of underlying neuromuscular condition,” says Pichney. “If someone experiences thinning of the arch muscles in the foot, it could be an indication of a neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT).” An inherited disorder that damages the peripheral nerves (those outside the brain and spinal cord), CMT can also cause changes in gait, numbness in the feet, difficulty balancing, loss of muscles in the lower legs, and later on, similar symptoms in the arms and hands. See your doctor if you notice abnormalities. “For anything that’s different or changes when it comes to the foot, see your podiatrist right away,” says Reid.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/10-subtle-signs-of-disease-your-feet-can-reveal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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The benefits of vitamin D – from head to toe

<p><strong>The benefits of vitamin D</strong></p> <p>Is it the magic vitamin? Well, it might be close. Research in recent years has shown that vitamin D may be one of the most powerful supplements to boost your total wellness and even help promote longevity. For years, vitamin D was touted as an ace for stronger bones, shinier hair and as a potential mood-booster. But you might not be aware of the many benefits vitamin D can provide for your whole system.</p> <p><strong>Brain</strong></p> <p>When taken with fish oil, vitamin D is a powerful mood booster, according to a study published in the <em>FASEB </em>journal. The aptly named ‘sunshine vitamin’ improves mood and lowers depression by aiding the conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan into serotonin – a brain chemical that regulates mood. But that’s not all! Vitamin D improves memory and cognitive functions in older women, according to a separate study published in <em>Journals of Gerontology A</em>. Meanwhile, previous research has found it may also have some protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease.</p> <p><strong>Eyes</strong></p> <p>Laugh lines aside, your eyes themselves undergo signs of ageing that can impair your vision. According to a study published in <em>Neurobiology of Ageing</em>, a daily dose of vitamin D reduced some of the effects of ageing on eyes, reduced inflammation and improved vision in mice. A second study found that it may also help prevent macular degeneration, a common eye disease that can lead to blindness if it goes untreated.</p> <p><strong>Ears</strong></p> <p>What causes vertigo, that disorienting sensation of dizziness and spinning? Vertigo may feel like your head is spinning, but the problem often stems from the structures in your inner ear that are responsible for balance. However, taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce vertigo and lower your chances of getting vertigo again, according to a study published in <em>Neurology</em>.</p> <p><strong>Teeth</strong></p> <p>Want stronger, whiter teeth and fewer cavities? Taking a daily vitamin D supplement may help, according to a meta-analysis published in <em>Nutrients</em>. Researchers analysed dozens of controlled studies with thousands of participants in several countries to find that that vitamin D was associated with a 50 per cent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.</p> <p><strong>Gums</strong></p> <p>The same vitamin D supplement that strengthens your teeth can also help protect your gums from bacterial infections that lead to problems like gingivitis and periodontitis, according to the <em>Nutrients </em>study. Periodontitis, a potentially serious infection of the gum tissue, is a major cause of tooth loss and can also contribute to heart disease.</p> <p><strong>Heart</strong></p> <p>One of vitamin D’s most powerful roles is in the cardiovascular system, where there are 200 genes regulated by vitamin D. How does it work? Vitamin D may help stop cholesterol from clogging arteries, regulate blood pressure and improve the function of cells in the heart. Even better, it may also be able to help heal existing heart damage, according to research published in the <em>International Journal of Nanomedicine</em>.</p> <p><strong>Lungs</strong></p> <p>Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis affect many people. While it’s not a cure, vitamin D can reduce the number of lung disease flareups by 40 per cent, a study published in <em>The Lancet</em> concluded. The same may be true for asthma, according to a separate study published in <em>Cochrane Review</em>. Researchers found that people who took a daily dose of vitamin D in addition to their asthma medication reduced the number of severe asthma attacks they experienced.</p> <p><strong>Gut</strong></p> <p>People with metabolic syndrome – increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels – are at a high risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Exercise and a healthy diet are important practices to avoid or heal the syndrome, but research has suggested vitamin D may also help. In a study published in <em>Frontiers in Physiology</em>, vitamin D improved signs of metabolic syndrome by boosting healthy gut bacteria in mice.</p> <p><strong>Liver</strong></p> <p>Higher vitamin D levels are linked with lower levels of cancer in general, and less liver cancer specifically, according to a <em>BMJ </em>study. Researchers took samples from over 33,000 adult participants and found that higher levels of the nutrient were associated with a 20 per cent reduction in cancer and a 30-50 per cent reduction in liver cancer.</p> <p><strong>Reproductive system</strong></p> <p>Both men and women show reproductive and fertility benefits from vitamin D. Female participants who had a healthy vitamin D level early in pregnancy were more likely to have a baby with a healthy weight and head size in a study published in the <em>Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &amp; Metabolism</em>. Similarly, men with higher vitamin D levels had a better fertility potential, particularly through better sperm motility, say researchers in a separate study, published in<em> World Journal of Men’s Health</em>.</p> <p><strong>Bones</strong></p> <p>Think calcium is the best nutrient for bones? Think again. The positive effects of vitamin D on bone health are some of the most documented benefits of the nutrient. Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, while inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p><strong>Knees</strong></p> <p>Your knees are one of the most-used joints in your body and often one of the first places to experience joint pain as you get older. Research has suggested the most common causes of joint pain are osteoarthritis from joint overuse or injury, and rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that attacks joints. Vitamin D can help protect against both types of arthritis. People who maintained healthy vitamin D levels were less likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in <em>Journal of Autoimmunity</em>. Similarly, people with low vitamin D levels reported more symptoms of osteoarthritis, like knee pain and difficulty walking, according to research by the American College of Rheumatology.</p> <p><strong>Feet</strong></p> <p>Stress fractures – microfractures that often occur in small bones due to overuse – are fairly common injuries, particularly in people who participate in high impact activities, like running, or people who are significantly overweight. According to a study published in <em>The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery</em>, vitamin D may reduce stress fractures by helping improve bone density.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-41d08e27-7fff-fd5c-6a8f-fc6514936626">Written by Charlotte Hilton Andersen. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/the-benefits-of-vitamin-d-from-head-to-toe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Jamie Durie's big news will set toes tapping across the country

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Jamie Durie is set to perform on Seven's new<span> </span><em>Dancing With the Stars: All Stars,<span> </span></em>much to the delight of fans.</p> <p>The veteran host, 50, will return to the stage after initially being on the show back in 2007.</p> <p>He came in seventh on the show but won't let that stop him from dancing again.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMa8bHPhC6y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMa8bHPhC6y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DancingAU (@dancingau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I'm thrilled to be returning to<span> </span><em>DWTS</em><span> </span>for this year's All Stars season," he tells<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/dancing-with-the-stars/dancing-with-the-stars-jamie-durie-67042" target="_blank"><em>Woman's Day</em>.</a></p> <p>"It's been almost 14 years since I was last on the show, so I'm looking forward to dusting off my dancing shoes.</p> <p>"From the cast I've seen coming back again so far, I'm sure it's going to be a tough competition," he adds.</p> <p>Durie will be dancing alongside Fifi Box, Bec Hewitt, Tom Williams and wild card Schapelle Corby.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Check your feet! 'COVID toes' are a new and more rampant sign of coronavirus

<p>Skin doctors are currently looking at a lot of toes, as concern grows that for some people, a symptom COVID-19 might be in an unusual spot.</p> <p>Boston dermatologist Esther Freeman expected to see skin complaints as COVID-19 hit the US but wasn’t expecting them to be toes.</p> <p>"But I was not anticipating those would be toes," Massachusetts General Hospital employee Dr Freeman said to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/covid-toe-rash-possible-coronavirus-infection-sign/5bf041bd-a472-44e9-9e95-f8eb10695447" target="_blank">9news</a>.</em></p> <p>Cases were initially recorded in children but has appeared to have spread to adults as well.</p> <p>Dr Freeman has viewed via telemedicine more toes in the last several weeks than in her entire week.</p> <p>They’re being called ‘COVID toes’, which are red, sore and sometimes itchy swellings on toes.</p> <p>"I think it's much more rampant than we even realize. The good news is it resolves spontaneously," Dr Amy Paller of Northwestern University said.</p> <p>There are many theories as to why ‘COVID toes’ are appearing, including that it could be inflammation triggered by the infection instead of the cold as well as the virus potentially irritating the lining of blood vessels in the skin.</p> <p>"The public health message is not to panic," Dr Freeman said, noting that most toe patients she's seen haven't become severely ill. Are they contagious?</p> <p>"We can't tell if you've got COVID-19 just by looking at your toes," she said.</p>

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“He’s keeping us on our toes”: Duchess Kate reveals what Prince Louis is really like

<p>As Prince Louis has turned one on April 23, Duchess Kate has revealed that he is a handful to keep up with and hinted that he’s already walking.</p> <p>Duchess Kate spoke about Louis during an outing to Bletchley Park on Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>She spoke to former Bletchley Park worker Georgina Rose, and then the Duchess admitted he is keeping her and Prince William “on their toes”.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7031393/Kate-reveals-boisterous-Prince-Louis-one-keeping-toes.html" target="_blank">The<span> </span><em>Daily Mail</em></a><em> </em>reported that Rose, who was a teleprinter operator in WWII, offered Duchess Kate her “congratulations” on her “beautiful family”.</p> <p>The Duchess replied: “Thank you so much. Louis is keeping us on our toes. I turned around the other day and he was at the top of the slide – I had no idea!”</p> <p>The duchess also revealed in March that the little prince was “cruising”, which is when a child pulls themselves up and uses furniture to move around.</p> <p>“Louis just wants to pull himself up all the time. He has got these little walkers and is bombing around in them.”</p> <p>Louis has already appeared to be a handful due to the outtakes of Prince Charles’ royal portrait for his 70th birthday.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwlmzlbh9Z6/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwlmzlbh9Z6/" target="_blank">Here’s to Prince Louis, here’s to moments like this 📸 - Happy Birthday!!! 🥳 🎁 #princelouis #happybirthdayprincelouis</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/chrisjacksongetty/" target="_blank"> Chris Jackson</a> (@chrisjacksongetty) on Apr 22, 2019 at 11:14pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As Prince Louis has now reached his first year birthday milestone, it’s clear he’s eager to get up to more mischief and explore.</p>

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Why nail polish lasts so much longer on toenails than fingernails

<p>It’s a question that’s plagued women for centuries (ok, slight exaggeration but who knows maybe Cleopatra had this issue) – why is it that nail polish lasts barely days on our fingernails but seemingly forever on our toenails? Well, wonder no more. According to Smith &amp; Cult Beauty Ambassador Sarah Bland, it’s all about wear and tear.</p> <p>“Polish lasts longer on toes than fingers because we use our hands as tools and they’re in water much more often than toes,” she tells <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/why-does-nail-polish-last-longer-on-your-toes-plus-4-tips-to-extend-the-life-of-your-manicure-45495" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bustle</span></strong></a>. That’s all well and good, but how can we make our manicures go the distance? Here are her top tips.</p> <p><strong>1. Clean your nails</strong></p> <p>Before applying any varnish, Bland suggests using rubbing alcohol or pure acetone to clean the nails and nail beds. This will get rid of any oils that may prevent the polish drying properly, making your mani last longer. And, prior to applying any varnish, always apply a base coat.</p> <p><strong>2. Be generous with top coat</strong></p> <p>When you think your nail polish is about to chip, give it another go-over with top coat. “The best thing to do to extend your manicure is to add an extra top coat a couple of days into your mani,” says Bland. Extra top coat will extend the life of your varnish beyond those first few chip-prone days.</p> <p><strong>3. Paint outside the lines</strong></p> <p>Forget everything you learnt as a child about colouring within the lines! According to Bland, being a bit messy with your top coat will ensure it lasts longer – at least, if you apply some to the top edge of your nail. This will act as a sort of seal, preventing any big chips.</p> <p><strong>4. Stay hydrated</strong></p> <p>Not only will cuticle oil keep your nails hydrated, but it will make your polish last longer. Just make sure you only apply it after painting your nails, otherwise you’ll find it difficult to make your manicure last through the day.</p> <p>How do you make your manicure or pedicure last longer? Share your tips with us in the comments below.</p>

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