Cardi B has nailed the new-mom mani — here's what mothers should know

To know Cardi B is to know her unfettered enthusiasm for nail art — the more textured and tapered the talon, the better.

Unfortunately, those sharp edges aren’t terribly practical when you’re handling a baby. Since welcoming daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus with husband Offset on July 10, the first-time mom has had to undergo a mama manicure. She shared the beauty update with her fans on Tuesday.

Sure enough, the rapper’s latest social media posts show her nails looking just as lengthy, but without elaborate embellishments or sharp, pointy tips.

The “Bodak Yellow” performer can’t say she wasn’t warned. Just two days before giving birth, she paid tribute to Puerto Rican singer-rapper Ivy Queen’s own over-the-top nails and admitted she was concerned about “how I’m going to manage after my baby comes.”

Now we know. Though Cardi B’s longtime manicurist, Jenny Bui, told Refinery29 that “nothing is changing” about the star’s 2-inch acrylics, it seems that some sort of overhaul was in order. But it may take more than a square tip to appease medical experts.

Why? As the BBC reports, multiple studies have concluded that fingernails harbor bacteria, with long artificial nails containing more bacteria than natural nails. Wearing nail polish on short, natural nails — as long as the polish is no more than a few days old — was deemed more hygienic.

The Infectious Disease Society of America also found that nails — both natural and artificial — that extend more than 3 millimeters past the fingertip contain more dangerous bacteria and yeast than short nails, and could spread infections. The 2001 study was linked to a deadly outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Therefore, Cardi B may want to consider giving her nails the chop — and using a sterile nose bulb to tackle those baby boogers, which would otherwise be exposed to bacteria. Polish, which typically contains harsh chemicals, can also raise issues if the child sucks on a manicured nail; nontoxic options might offer some peace of mind.

She’s not the only celebrity mom whose nails have sparked concern. Kylie Jenner, who gave birth to daughter Stormi in February, was criticized for keeping her own nails long — though most of the worry was linked to fears that she might accidentally scratch her baby.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Jennifer Aniston calls out ‘reckless assumptions’ about why she’s not a mom: ‘Maybe my purpose isn’t to procreate’

• No, toothpaste will not make your breasts bigger

• Meghan Markle has actually been doing her own makeup for years — here are her best tips
  

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