A well-manicured hand & nails speak about a person’s personality and nature. And not everyone has time to schedule a manicure appointment & invest money on it. So, what can be better than doing your manicure at home on your own? Yes, you can do it too!
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to follow to give yourself a manicure at home.
The Perfect Manicure at Home
Step 1: Gather all the Essential Tools
Before starting with the manicure, you would need all the basic tools listed below:
- Nail-polish remover and cotton swabs
- Nail clippers
- Nail files & nail buffer
- Cuticle pusher
- Hand/nail moisturizer
- Basecoat
- Any nail paint of your choice
- Clear topcoat nail paint
Step 2: Remove Your Current Nail Paint (if any)
To start with remove the current nail paint or any traces of nail paint. Use a cotton & non-acetone nail paint remover to clean up your nails.
Non-acetone nail paint removers are gentler on your nails & do not dry out your skin around the nails.
Step 3: Clip, File & Buff Your Nails
Clip your nails, if needed. Then gently start filing them into shape (in one direction) using the nail filer. Also, avoid filing them too short. Now, its time to use the nail buffer to smoothen the top of your nails. Just buff tops and sides of nails lightly to create a smooth surface.
Step 4: Soak your nails & fingers
You would enjoy this step of doing the manicure at home. Take a big bowl of warm water & add a gentle handwash or baby shampoo. Soak in your hands & relax for 2-3 minutes.
This process helps in loosing up your cuticles & dirt around your nails. After taking out your fingers, use a nail brush & gently brush the nails & dirt around the nails.
Step 5: Time to work on the cuticles
Wipe your nails & hands now, & massage your nails & cuticle with the moisturizer or cuticle cream. Then using the cuticle pusher, push back your cuticles gently & not too much.
Note: Do not push away too much it will damage your nails.
Once done, clear up the excess cream using a soft towel.
Step 6: Moisturize Your Hands
Use a thick & rich moisturizer cream & massage your hands. Focus on your nails & skin around the nails while massaging.
Step 7: Prepare Your Nails
Nail paint will not stay on your nails if the nails aren’t dry completely. So, you need to wipe the moisturizer off your nails using a cotton pad & nail paint remover.
Step 8: Begin With the Base Coat
This is an important step of doing your manicure at home. Start applying a thin coat of clear nail paint as the base coat. And, allow it to dry completely. A base coat helps your nails from getting stained by the nail polish. Also, it makes your nail paint to stay longer.
Step 9: Time to Apply Your Favorite Nail Polish
Before applying the nail polish, roll the nail paint bottle between your hands. Avoid shaking it because that will create air bubbles in it. Start applying the nail polish, begin with the sides of your nails & then apply in the middle.
Before applying another layer, let the previous coat dry completely.
Step 10: Finish With A Clear Nail Top Coat
Once the previous coat is dried, finish it off by applying a layer of clear nail polish as the top coat. This protects your nail polish from flaking & makes it last longer.
To finish off your manicure at home, reapply a small amount of moisturizer on your hands & nails. Keeping them moisturized is required to keep them looking healthy.
