Whether you are trying to save money or don’t have the time to make the trip to the nail salon, doing your own manicure at home is easier than you may think. With the right tools and patience, you can turn any would-be rather boring night at home into a pampering manicure spa treat.
Before you begin make sure you have the following products, tools sanitized and on hand.
- Cotton pads
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle oil or cream
- Nipper
- Nail Cutter
- Nail File
- Tissue/Towel
Optional:
- Nail brush
- Soak solution
- Body/Hand scrub (make your own at home by mixing ¼ cup of brown sugar with a tablespoon of olive oil or honey)
- Hand lotion
- Polish of choice
- Nail Dryer
- Lamp
- Nail Polish Remover
Step 1: Remove any current polish on your nails if you have any. Wash your hands with soap and water or by using a hand soak solution. You can also begin by doing a hand scrub to remove all dead skin and grime from your hands.
Step 2: Dry your hands with a towel and set up your manicure station. I like set up mine in bed with a lap desk and lamp. Lay a clean towel or tissue to protect the surface you are working on and make clean up a breeze afterwards.
Step 3: Begin by using nail clippers and cutting your nails to your desired length. Then using a nail file, file your nails going towards only one direction till you achieve your desired nail shape and smooth out any rough edges around the nail. At this point you can also use your nipper to carefully cut off any hang nails if you have any.
Step 4: Apply a cuticle cream or oil to your cuticles and massage in and give it time to soak on your cuticles. Then you want to slowly and gently push back your cuticles. It is highly advised that you do not attempt to cut your own cuticles for safety reasons. Once your have your cuticles pushed back, using your nail brush or towel wipe off the excess cuticle solution off of your fingernails. You can end here with a hand massage using your favorite hand solution or continue with painting your nails.
Step 5: Start with clean and bare nails. Paint on a thin coat of base coat to protect your nails and help your nail polish last longer. Do both hands and leave this to dry completely. Once dry take your desired nail polish color and roll between your hands. Do not shake the bottle to avoid air bubbles. Apply a thin and even coat of polish to your nails. Finish all 10 fingers and leave to dry completely. Remember you want to keep the layers thin and even and make sure nails are completely dry before applying the next layer. Finish off with a 2nd coat of polish. At this point I like to leave my nails under a nail dryer so they dry completely. Once my nails are dry to the touch I apply my last a final layer of a long wearing top coat to ensure my nail color is protected and left shiny. I leave it under the nail dryer again for around 5 minutes then apply a drop each onto my nails of a nail polish drying solution.
Step 6: After, as a finishing step I like to rub petroleum jelly or a cuticle cream to my nails then I give myself a mini hand massage using my favorite hand lotion. You can also wear a moisturizing hand glove and head to bed. You will wake up to beautiful and soft hands just as if you spent a small fortune to get them done professionally.
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