Going to the salon to get a manicure may be fun, but going time and time again can cost you a lot of money. Money that you should really save for college. So take our advice and learn how to get a really great manicure at home. It really doesn’t take that much precision and skill. Just the right tools, lots of patience, and being prepared to clean up any little mistakes. So read on and try doing your own nails tonight!
Tools
- Nail polish remover
- Nail file
- Nail clippers
- Nail buffer
- Clear nail polish and your choice of color
- Q tips/paintbrush
Instructions
1. Begin by removing old nail polish. Use nail polish remover even if your nails are already bare. It’ll get off all the excess dirt and oil on your nails.
2. Now shape your nails with your clippers and nail file. Remember to only file in one direction. Filing back and forth weakens the nail.
3. Soak hands for a minute or two in warm water. If you want to be extremely luxurious, apply lotion after soaking your hands. Use more nail polish remover to clean the lotion from your nails.
4. Using a wooden stick or your fingernails, push back your cuticles. If you need extra help with your cuticles, use a cuticle remover. I like using Sally Hensen Cuticle remover.
5. Now take out your nail buffer and buff each of your nails. The buff should have four sides. Use them in the order that is specified, to get a smooth matte surface which will make your polish job look better and will let the nail polish adhere to your nails better.
6. Now your nails are ready for polish. Do one clear coat, at least two coats of color, and one more clear coat on top, leaving a little time in between each coat for them to dry. Don’t worry about being messy and getting polish on your fingers. Focus on a smooth application and aim for three brush strokes (middle, side, side).
ECG Tip: If you have longer nails, add a fourth brush stroke across the tip of of your nail to seal the nail and prevent chipping.
7. Now that all the coats are finished you may think that you’ve gotten more nail polish on your fingers than on your actual nail, but that really doesn’t matter since you’re going to do touch ups with nail polish remover. Using a q tip or a paint brush dipped in nail polish remover work to remove all the excess polish.
ECG Tip: If you tend to be very messy, do your nails at night following all these steps. Then when you get up the next morning (when your nails are completely dry) focus of picking of any excess polish that is still on your fingers using your fingernails or tweezers. It can really make a difference, especially if you’re a perfectionist.
8. If you really want to feel like you’re at the salon use a nail finishing spray once you’re finished. And voila! Beautiful nails.
What Do You Think?
Do you do your nails at home? What special steps do you take to make them look good? Leave us a comment and let us know!
