Manicure and Hand Care

[Icarus]

Haha, wow, I never expected to see a thread like this. I thought I was the only magician concerned with my nails.
Personally, I take pretty good care of my hands - I wear black nail polish while performing. It looks amazing against Ghosts or other all-white cards, especially for flourishes. Then again, most of my standard dress is a little out there, so the black nail polish fits and makes sense. I only reccomend it if you're very secure in your masculinity.
I keep my nails cropped short, too - not too short, but they never get past the tips of my fingers. Some people like them long, though, since they use their nails to count and such.
If you're aiming for a more mystical and ethereal performance, the nail polish thing really does help add tangible flavor to your show. However, if you're more of a traditional styled magician, just keeping your nails clean is more than enough.

Hope I could help!
-Icarus

 

[StevenLevitt]

I personally would not wear nail polish, I am just wanting them to be nicely cut, clean, smooth, and tidy. My hands clean and smooth too.

 

[uhhh_kyle]

How did you stop bitting your nails? I'm having a hard time quiting.

 

[StevenLevitt]

Will powered mainly, I do bite them now and again... But then I think... NO!!! - All will power, it is hard to stop.

I want to stop because I do want really nice nails, so I stopped doing it for my magic.

 

[Trick-E]

How did you stop bitting your nails? I'm having a hard time quiting.

Have someone perform the hypnotic induction on you and they will tell you not to bite your nails. When you're awake and you feel like you don't have to bite your nails again.

 

[SamRochon]

If you bite your nails, put a bitterant on them.
Good luck.

This is really good advice if your having a lot of trouble not biting your nails.

I know I had that bad habit and have had a hard time stopping. A bitterant helped me, even if it's just soap.

I still have to use my willpower to keep from biting them, but it's not as bad as it was.