How to Have The Perfect Aroma Therapy Manicure
Manicures make a woman's hands look refined and can be the finishing touch to a specific look, but nail salon prices can be expensive. Instead of going to the nail salon, why not spend a relaxing hour giving yourself an aromatherapy manicure at home? You can personalize the scents and colors you use for the manicure while listening to music or watching your favorite romantic comedy --- all without having to leave the house. Once you perfect your aromatherapy manicure technique, try adjusting the steps for a relaxing aromatherapy pedicure for your toes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Non-acetone polish remover
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton ball
- Orangewood stick
- Emery board
- Cuticle serum
- Warm water
- Bowl
- Hand soap
- Essential oils
- Nail brush
- Honey
- 2 hand towels
- Lotion
- Clear nail polish
- Color nail polish (optional)
Instructions
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1
Apply the non-acetone nail polish remover to a cotton ball and swab each nail from base to tip, removing all traces of nail polish. Wash your hands thoroughly and pat them dry.
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2
File each nail with an emery board. Hold the board flat against the edge of your nail and file towards the tip.
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3
Shape your nails with the emery board into oval tips or square tips. To shape your nails into oval tips, round the edges of the nails and shape the tip to a soft oval. For square tips, keep the nail short and file straight across the nail, slightly rounding the edges so they won't snag on clothing.
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4
Fill a small bowl with warm water, a drop of hand soap and two to three drops of your selected aromatic essential oil, such as lavender or rose oil.
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5
Dip your fingertips into the bowl to soften the cuticles and remove any nail dust or dirt. Soak for two to three minutes.
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6
Scrub your nails and the top of your hands gently with a soft, flat nailbrush. Dry your hands thoroughly.
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7
Apply cuticle serum to each nail. Gently push back the softened cuticle with an orange stick. Clean under your nails with the orange stick, wiping any residue onto a cotton ball.
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8
Soak one hand towel with hot water and wring out the excess. Apply honey to the front and back of your left hand and massage it in. Wrap the hand in the hot towel and relax for 5 minutes. Once finished, use the towel to wipe the honey away and rinse the hand. Repeat this step for the right hand.
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9
Apply a moisturizing lotion to your hands, massaging the palms, fingers and joints. Do not rub lotion onto your finger nails.
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10
Wipe off any excess lotion on your fingernails with a cotton ball dipped in the non-acetone nail polish remover. Then wipe the fingernails with a dry cotton ball.
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11
Apply clear nail polish in three strokes --- one center stroke and two side strokes --- to each nail. Let it dry for a minute.
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12
Apply color nail polish in three thin strokes, covering the nail once. Do this to all finger nails. Repeat this process for a second coat, making sure the color is even and paint is smooth. Let this dry for a minute.
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13
Apply clear nail polish as a top coat and let your fingernails dry thoroughly for at least 10 to 20 minutes.
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Tips & Warnings
Set the mood with relaxing music, low lights and scented candles.
File your nails with an emery board in only one direction. Sawing back and forth can make the nail tear.
Before you apply nail polish, roll the bottle between the palms of your hands for a few seconds to warm the polish and make it easier to apply.
Once nail polish is dry, apply moisturizing lotion to your hands as needed to keep them soft.
Never cut the cuticles. This can cause infection.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images
