Your Do-It-Yourself Manicure Guide

Let’s face it, the economy is suffering and not many are willing to spoil themselves with a much deserved salon-style manicure.

Fear not – you can spoil yourself and keep your nails looking gorgeous by doing your very own manicure at home! Here’s how:

Remove old nail polish

Hand photo created by freepik

You want to be sure that you remove all traces of any old nail polish – including any base coat that you may have applied 3 months ago and THINK has worn off – so as to prevent any staining or possible nail weakening.

Try using a better quality nail polish remover that includes moisturizing and strengthening properties.

Wash your hands and let them soak in warm water

Try allowing your hands to soak for five minutes in a warm hand bath. This not only further removes any remnants of old nail polish, but it will also soften the nail so that they are easier to cut and file.

Cut and file nails to the shape that best suits you

You can try the more traditional oval-shape nail, or go for the trendier shorter boxy-nail with rounded edges.

NOTE: If you do purchase fake nails for your manicure, you may also be able to file the better quality ones into a different shape if need be. Be sure to gently test your file on the nails before you decide to file them completely in case there are any problems.

Gently “dot” a cuticle cream on your cuticles and rub it in

You can also try extra virgin olive oil from your kitchen cupboards as a more natural way to moisturize your nails.

Take an orange wood stick and gently push back your cuticles

Be sure to never actually cut into your cuticles as this leaves your skin open to infections and nail bed damage.

Grab some hand lotion and massage it into your hands

Be sure to take your time with this one and rub your fingers up and down until they are relaxed. You can find some great hand massaging techniques that you can do for yourself online, or enlist in the help of a friend or significant other!

Wipe off the nails to remove any excess oil

If extra oils are left on the nails, then the nail polish will not adhere properly.

Take a base coat and apply it to your nails

Try choosing a base coat that includes a nail strengthening product, particularly if you are painting your natural nails after having had fake nails previously glued on.

Choose your favorite nail color and apply two coats

Begin painting from one side of the nail to the next, covering the nail each time in 3 strokes (or less).

Once your nails are dry, apply a top coat

Many top coats these days include a “quick dry” feature. While I have never encountered one that dries as quickly as they say they will on the bottle, they are certainly worth picking up as they do dry faster than the more traditional top coats.

And there you have it! With a bit of time you can have gorgeous nails from your very own “home salon” in no time.