How to Give yourself a Salon Manicure

During tough times, a great way to save money is to skip the salon and give yourself a star-quality manicure at home. By following these steps, not only will your home manicure look great, but it can be just as relaxing as paying for one at a spa or salon.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail clippers or scissors
• Emery board
• Wooden Cuticle stick
• Nail buffer (optional)
• small bowl
• hand lotion or oil
• Polish of choice
• Base/Top coat

1. First, make sure your hands and nails are clean. And if you'd like an extra feeling of relaxation, you could play a little soft music.

2. Trim nails to a little longer than desired length, first clipping across the middle, then neatening the edges.

3. Round nails with emery board, using long strokes going all in one direction. Never saw back and forth, as this can break or damage your nails.

4. If you'd like to buff your nails, do so now, using the rough side of the buffer with quick, round motions, and then the smooth side.

5. Rub nail bed and cuticles with lotion or cream. I use a little tin of cuticle cream by the Burts Beeswax company, but hand lotion will also work, and so will a little bit of kitchen olive oil.

6. Use a wooden cuticle stick (also known as an orange stick, and available for a few cents in drugstores) and gently push back your cuticles on each hand.

7. Now liberally apply lotion over your hands and up your forearms. Give yourself a hand massage by rubbing each palm with the opposite thumb and forefinger, and massage each finger separately.

8. Swipe polish remover, or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol over each nail bed to clean off the lotion, and make surfaces ready for polish.

9. First apply base coat, starting with the index finger on your left hand, and finishing that hand with the thumb. You should only need three strokes on each nail. Beginning at the base of your nail, make one stroke down the center, then one on each side. Repeat on right hand.

10. Now repeat step 9, this time using the polish of your choice. A nice, pale nude is easiest to do well, and always classy. A good shade is 'Samoan Sand,' by OPI.

11. Finally, repeat the previous step, this time using a clear top coat. Now clean up any little mistakes with the end of a cuticle stick dipped in polish remover.

12. Wait for nails to dry, and you're finished!

Tips & Warnings

• Try a combination base/top coat to save money.
• Make sure not to touch anything for at least 15 minutes, after you're done, or until nails dry.
• You can also apply a quick-dry serum over top coat.
• Some companies are now making polish sticks, which prevent spills and mistakes.
• Make sure to do your nails on a hard surface, like a table, and not on something like a carpet, where stains could occur.