Finding time for a weekly manicure may not always be feasible. Luckily, with the appropriate tools and techniques, it’s simple to create salon-worthy nail care at home.
Start off by using an acetone-free polish remover and ensure your nails are bone dry (filing wet nails can lead to breakage). Next, buff them until the surface is even and ridges have been eliminated (short one-direction strokes work best). Finally, cuticle treatment is used to soften them.
Soak Your Hands
Your hands make a powerful first impression, and getting them professionally manicured will leave them looking neat and tidy – not to mention make shaking hands easier for friends, coworkers and clients! Unfortunately salon manicures can be costly and time consuming; here are some tips you can follow at home for getting professional-looking manicures at an affordable cost.
Beginning by soaking your nails. Soaking helps soften cuticles and prepares them for nail polish application, whether using store-bought hand soak or creating your own homemade formula. If opting for a store-bought hand soak, select one formulated specifically for nails and skin and contains strengthening ingredients such as calcium or protein to strengthen them further.
If you’re making your own nail soak, combine two egg yolks with one tablespoon of olive oil. The combination of oils and egg proteins in this soak can help soothe cuticles while strengthening nails. After your nails have been submerged for an adequate length of time, dry them with a clean towel before using a brush to scrub away dirt, dust and grime from their surface. Alternatively, you could purchase an oval nail brush designed specifically to meet the needs of both nails and skin for more gentle treatment.
Clean Your Nails
An expertly painted manicure will leave you looking polished. Before beginning a painting, clean your nails to remove any residue or polish residue or smudges using a cotton pad saturated with nail polish remover. Wipe each fingernail until no trace of color remains on the skin or cuticles.
Alternately, use a small brush or orange stick dipped in acetone to clean your nails and surrounding skin. Harris-Greenslade suggests painting one hand first from pinkie to thumb (this reduces the chances of smudging).
Moisturize your hands and cuticles prior to applying polish. This will keep nails and their beds healthy while helping prevent chipping.
Use a light hand lotion or cuticle oil such as olive, argan, shea, or rose hip to keep hands moisturised and nails in good condition.
Trim Cuticles
Your hands make an important first impression, so they should always look their best. Regular manicures will keep nails and cuticles healthy and looking their best; however, not always practical or affordable to visit a nail salon so knowing how to give yourself a manicure at home is crucial.
Before doing your nails, soak your hands for five minutes to remove dirt and bacteria from your hands, dry them off, and use either a metal cuticle pusher or an orange wood stick to gently push back cuticles. Apply cuticle oil or cream for extra softening power while moisturizing both nails and skin.
Next, file and buff your nails until they achieve the desired shape (square or slightly oval usually works best) using a nail file and buffer, taking care not to over file as this could damage and leave them brittle. Afterward, apply a base coat as protection from staining natural nails; top coat will seal in color for long-term shine and longevity.
Massage Lotion
Sometimes, we forget to show our hands and feet some TLC. They do so much for us every day, from holding phones to picking up coffee cups, yet they suffer the effects of harsh soaps and sanitisers as well as environmental stressors like sun exposure. Moisturize your nails and hands with lotion applied between each finger; massage it into the skin between fingers until fully absorbed by them before gently pushing back cuticles without overstretching; wipe any extra lotion away using nail polish remover on the cotton ball before patting dry with clean towelling after.
There’s nothing quite as pleasing as seeing freshly manicured hands – they reflect well upon who you are and serve as an important reminder that making time for yourself is vitally important. A manicure will keep nails and skin healthy and soft so they look their best at any given time.
Hot oil manicures are treatments done at nail salons that can help strengthen and revitalize brittle nails and dry skin, while being easily performed at home using just a few tips. Plus, this cheaper alternative makes going in person much less often necessary!
Apply Base Coat
To ensure a long-lasting manicure, it is vital to apply a base coat prior to nail polish. The base coat acts as a protective layer against staining caused by color – failing which your polish may quickly chip and fade over time.
Start off your manicure right by clearing away any previous polish with cotton balls saturated in nail polish remover and wiping each nail with it; if any traces remain, Q-tips soaked in polish remover can also help.
Once your base coat has been set, add another coat. Now it’s time to paint! For faster painting sessions, Harris-Greenslade suggests using a smaller brush (about size 4). This allows you to cover each nail in one stroke and speeds up drying times.
Once your nails are dry, it’s advisable to add a top coat for added protection and shine. Simply follow the same technique you would when painting your nails to apply your top coat – be sure to allow enough time for it to set before touching your nails again!
Paint Your Nails
Your hands make a powerful first impression, and having unsightly or damaged nails does not give off an ideal image. A manicure is a wonderful way to keep nails trimmed, cleaned and softened while also giving yourself time for self-pampering and exploring different nail polish colors.
Traditional manicures usually involve immersing hands in soapy hot water for 10-20 minutes to soften nails and cuticles before cleaning them thoroughly with brushes designed specifically to target hands. Nail techs differ on this step’s benefits – some say soaking makes nails more elastic and stretchy, causing cracking or peeling when they dry, whereas Kandalec recommends doing a quick hand scrub first to loosen any dead skin before using brushes and soap designed exclusively for hands.
Once your nails are clean and dry, apply a base coat. This will help ensure the polish stays on longer while also protecting it from staining your nails or cuticles. Applying this layer can extend its color’s longevity!
Let the base coat dry for several minutes before applying your nail polish. Avoid going overboard, but if you prefer more dramatic effects, build layers up. Thinner layers will dry faster.
Apply Top Coat
To enhance the polished appearance of your nails, try applying cuticle oil or nail serum beforehand. These products nourish nails and cuticles to keep them healthy and hydrated – prolonging the lifespan of your manicure!
If any remnants of nail polish still linger after applying a base coat, remove it using an acetone-free remover and cotton pads. Gently rub over each nail until there are no visible traces of color left behind.
Once your nails are completely dry, a top coat should be applied. This step helps protect and give your manicure that professional nail-salon look.
Apply several thin coats of top coat, as thicker layers may clump and bubble, while thinner applications tend to dry more quickly, leaving your manicure looking sleek and shiny.
In a pinch, using a quick-drying top coat may speed up the drying process; however, this solution only offers temporary relief. We advise applying a top coat specially formulated to protect from chipping, such as Orly Bonder, which anchors nail polish and prevents it from chipping or peeling.