How to Do a Manicure & Pedicure at Home

Regular manicures and pedicures are a great way to keep your nails clean and tidy while allowing yourself to feel pampered. But finding time to go get your nails done professionally is not always possible or within the budget. The solution to these problems is easy: Give yourself pedicures and manicures at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton Balls
• Mineral Salts
• Pedicure Bowl
• Loofah or Nail Cleaner Brush
• Towel
• Lotion
• Nail Scissors or Clippers
• Angled Nail Cleaner
• Cuticle Oil
• Cuticle Pusher
• Cuticle Nippers
• Nail Buffer
• Clear Base Coat Nail Polish
• Colored Nail Polish
• Clear Top Coat Nail Polish

1. Take off any old nail polish by wiping nails with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover.

2. Soak hands and feet for five minutes in a pedicure bowl filled with a solution of warm water and mineral salts.

3. Scrub hands and feet using 1/2 tbsp. of body scrub on a loofah or nail cleaner brush. Rinse with warm water.

4. Pat hands and feet dry with a towel.

5. Massage hands and feet with a moisturizing lotion until your skin fully absorbs the lotion.

6. Trim nails to desired length with nail scissors or clippers.

7. Run an angled nail cleaner under the tip of each nail to remove any dirt.

8. Apply a drop of cuticle oil to the bottom of each nail. Use a cuticle pusher to scrunch the cuticles backward. Clip away each cuticle with cuticle nippers.

9. Move a nail buffer side to side across each nail remove any ridges, creating a smoother surface.

10. Wipe nails clean with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to remove any leftover lotion.

11. Apply a layer of clear base coat to each nail. After two minutes of drying time, apply two coats of colored nail polish with two minutes of drying time in between. Apply a layer of clear top coat to finish.

12. Dry nails for 20-30 minutes, avoiding any activity so that the polish does not get smudged or dented.