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Fuelsell New user 2 Posts |
Hi, My name is Wayne.
I enjoyed magic as a teen. Doing magic for family and friends. Some 30 years later I found a renewed interest in it. I enjoy card magic. I can't seem to do a lot of the sleights because my hands are very dry. I seem to do better if I wet my fingers a bit, but that doesn't last long enough for the trick. My question is - is there anything I can do to keep moisture in the hands and fingers? Sorry if this post is in the wrong area as there seems to be so many forums. Thank you for any help. Wayne |
ovationkc New user 29 Posts |
I had the same problem. Some advice was given to me from The Magic Café folks and has worked very well for me. Can't remember the "product name" but it can be found at Office Depot or Staples, it's used for counting money. You apply it to your finger tips. I cut off a chunk and keep it in a contact lens case which fits into my pocket. I just reach in and pop it opened and run my fingers across it. Ready to go after that.
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khead27 New user 8 Posts |
Hi, I have this problem too during the winter months as its very dry here then. I use corn husker's lotion found at most stores. It has worked great for me.
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DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-12-16 12:03, ovationkc wrote: SORTKWIK is the product you are referring to...or use what I use... http://www.ourproductstore.com/store/pro......8&page=1 a little goes a looong way! Cardamagically, DOM
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
A good hand lotion is the solution you seek, however, using it 5 seconds before performing, will yield poor results. You want to keep your hands tended on a regular basis. A good hand lotion takes time to do it's work. If you keep your hands well maintained, then an application about two hours before a performance should be more than enough to do the job. Quick fixes may work, but in the long run do more damage, and only make your problem worse. The primary component of your various quick sort products are volatiles. Volatiles are destructive to human skin. Skin is composed of cells, which are composed of cell walls, and inside those walls, an oil. Volatiles, including water, dilute and "rinse" away those oils, then evaporate, leaving only the unstable cell walls. This effect is know most commonly as "dry rot". Hand lotions (good ones anyway) are based on replenishing oils that help replace and maintain the natural oils found inside those cell walls. Thus making healthy "not dry" skin.
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
I work in a bar, and my hands are constantly soapy wet. It's beginning to take it's toll. For a quick fix during work I just spatter a little beer onto my hands and let it dry. It gives the perfect "tack" for coin sleights (though it'll funk up your cards...)
For long term care I use a hand cream that has dimethicone as a base ingredient. Aveeno is good.
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Most fixes are temporary.
I've used both Corn Huskers Lotion and Sortqwik just prior to performance. Both add some tack for a while. I also try and use moisturizer for hands twice a day. I'm 57 and my hands are dry most of the time and it's not getting better as years pass. Some say using such things are a crutch. Well yeah! It is. I didn't need anything 20 years ago but now.... yeah. |
Fuelsell New user 2 Posts |
Thank you all for your suggestions. I went out today a found some good hand lotion and I also found the sortkwick. I'm going to try these and see if can't get the moisture back into my hands. It was getting hard to spread the cards when all your fingers do is slide over the cards and not move the cards at all. I am a new member of the Café. I see a lot of good topics and good advice here. With all the forums I have a lot of reading to do. I will be asking more questions, and I know I can rely on a lot of good answers. Thank you all
Wayne |
mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
Go to a health and beauty section and get a Paraffin Bath... basically it is a tub that has melted paraffin, you dip your hands in it, let the paraffin coat and it does intense moisturizing.
not only does it work like a champ for card workers... but you get to peel off that freaky wax!!!
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
I've tried several different products over the years. Different things will work for different skin types. Right now I'm using a lotion you'll find at Bath and Body works by CC Bigelow. It's got lemon seed oil and works very nicely. The downside is, it's on the pricey side.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Your hands are your stage and should be kept looking prestine. Here's my formula.
I get manicures about once a month. I'm not ashamed...my hands need look AWESOME since that what people are watching. I keep my finger nails filed very smooth and nice. Every day, I use The Increadable Spreadable Scrub from Orgins. It's a sea salt skin exfoliant (sp?). After my morning skin treatment I lather my hands in Johnson's Baby Lotion. I'm set for the day. Then about an hour before performing, I pull out the Corn Huskers and I'm set for my shift.... About once a month, I will go to bed wearing latex gloves that I have dumped a generous helping of Vasaline in. I sleep with my hands in this and then wash my hands the next morning. I think I have the best hands in magic! The above sounds like a lot, but honestly, is just part of my daily/monthly routine!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
This week on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy...Metrosexual Magicians!
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
muse Special user Scotland 925 Posts |
Lol...it's worth taking the effort though, it's not just cosmetic, the difference between getting that slight grip or not can be the difference between a successful sleight or a failed one.
For anyone reading this in the UK, I can recommend Nutrogena "Norwegian Formula" Hand Cream, which comes is a tube (think of a short, fat toothpaste tube, that kind of thing). It's available in most chemists, and you only need a tiny amount each time you use it, it's easy to carry about, and it works very well. |
Wes65 Inner circle I've said very little in 1219 Posts |
Beside the lotions a good salt scrub works wonders for me. It removes all the dry dead skin.
Also, I read in another post on the same subject that children's modeling clay was helpful for dry skin. I tried it yesterday and found it very helpful.
Wes
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
A few drops of glycerine works also...
Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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jnrussell Loyal user Michigan 207 Posts |
I've had the same problem. I'm currently using two items (no one product seems to work all the time for some reason): (a) a bowler's resin bag; (b) tack cloth (found in the paint department).
I've also found that when I'm performing "live", I have less problem than when I'm practicing... nerves perhaps? LOL |
ralphs007 Inner circle 1087 Posts |
Quote:
Then using a glove to play golf is also crutch. Pretty ridicules statement if you ask me! If using such things helps you get a grip, then use them.
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him".
James D. Miles |
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