How to Give Yourself an At Home Manicure and Pedicure

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By Lori Soard
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

At home manicures and pedicures can be as simple as white and clear polish

At home manicures and pedicures can save money and time, as well as allowing you the freedom to experiment with colors and designs you might not normally try.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Bowl of hot water
1/2 lemon
Orange stick
Fingernail polish remover
Nail file
Nail buffer
Fingernail polish in choice of colors
Clear top coat
Hand lotion

Step 1

Remove all fingernail polish. Be sure to clean right down to the cuticles.
Step 2

Shape nails to desired length and shape with a file.
Step 3

Use nail buffer, starting with the coarsest side to the finest side to get rid of any ridges or grooves in your nails. The natural nail should have a slight sheen when you are finished.
Step 4

Squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a lemon into a bowl of hot water. Soak nails for ten minutes.
Step 5

Gently push cuticles back with the orange stick. This should be fairly simple as the cuticles will be soft from soaking.
Step 6

Clean under your nails with the other end of the orange stick.
Step 7

Allow nails to dry thoroughly.
Step 8

French manicures are popular

Add color or color design of your choice. One popular look is a French manicure or colored tips. You can achieve this look with a French manicure kit that offers the manicure stickers and any color nail polish on the tips that you desire. Allow coat to dry thoroughly and then add a second coat. Allow second coat to dry thoroughly.
Step 9

Seal the nail with a top coat. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Step 10

Once polish is completely dry, massage a good hand or nail cream into your cuticles to prevent frayed skin and hang nails.