A little kindness for hardworking hands

Over the years, I’ve held many hardworking hands across our manicure tables in New Plymouth.

Hands that milk cows, work outdoors and spend their days doing jobs that are hard on the skin and nails. Some have rough skin, stubborn marks or damaged nails. Some carry the lasting signs of an accident.

Sometimes their owners hesitate before showing them to us.

I understand. When you feel uncomfortable about your hands, you find ways to hide them—in photographs, at a gathering, even when you’re dressed beautifully for a special occasion. After a while, it can become something you do without thinking.

The hands in these photos belonged to a woman who thought she couldn’t have her nails done because one nail was missing after an injury. We were able to work with her particular situation and create the set you see here.

It’s something I wish more people knew: you can ask, even if you think your hands are too difficult. We can look at them together and talk honestly about what may be possible.

For everyday working life, keeping nails clean, tidy and manageable may matter most. A manicure without colour can be a lovely way to care for hands that still have plenty of work to do.

And when summer comes, or Christmas, a wedding or a party, perhaps you’d enjoy some colour too. You don’t have to commit to wearing nail extensions all year to enjoy having your nails done for an occasion.

I’ve also met customers who feel shy because an accident has left them with a missing finger. I think about how much their hands have been through, and how much the fingers they still have continue to do.

Your hands have worked hard for you. You know their story, even when nobody else does.

You don’t have to wait for someone to notice before giving them some care.