You Need This if You Use Pastels!

'Winter Tango'        8x10        pastel       ©Karen Margulis available $125

It is the bane of a pastelist.....dirty fingernails. You know you are a pastelist when you have to apologize to the cashier for your dirty fingernails. "I paint. I really didn't just go dig in the dirt!"
For years I did the best I could to clean my fingernails with a nail brush. But they seemed perpetually stained. Not any more!

I discovered the MUST HAVE soap for pastel artists. Good old Lava Bar.

Lava soap has been around since the 1800s and has been the trusted soap for coal miners, oil rig workers and mechanics. If it works for them then surely it will work wonders for pastel stained fingernails! The secret is the pumice in the soap. Not only does it remove the pastel with the help of a nail brush it leaves your hands exfoliated and soft!

• Protect my hands before painting with barrier cream like Art Guard or Gloves in a Bottle. (or gloves)
• Keep hands clean while painting with baby wipes.
• Wash hands after painting with Lava soap and a nail brush.
• Moisturize hands with a good cream. I like Weleda Skin Food.