How to Give Yourself a Homemade Manicure

Professional manicures are time consuming and expensive. Time spent in the salon could be time spent with family and friends or on work tasks. By learning how to do your own at-home manicure, not only will your pocketbook thank you at the end of the month, but your friends and family will too.

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Cuticle pusher
• Nail trimmer and file
• Cotton swabs
• Soap
• Towel
• Blow-dryer (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove old nail polish with nail polish remover. Wash hands and soak your nails in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. This removes all dirt residue from nails and softens cuticles. Pat nails dry with a clean washcloth.

2. Trim and file your nails down to desired length. Filing nails will soften rough edges caused by trimming. Push cuticles back with a cuticle pusher. This will help the manicure look professional, as well as maintain the manicure for a longer time. Wash your hands again to remove any residue from filing and pat dry with a washcloth.

3. Apply a clear base coat. This ensures a smooth area for colored polish and helps maintain your manicure. Wait five minutes for the polish to dry.

4. Apply two coats of desired polish color. Wait 10 minutes in between each coat. Be careful not to apply too much polish, especially on the first coat. Start with one stroke in the middle of the nail, then two strokes on either side. This will make the polish smooth and even on each nail.

5. Wait 10 to 20 minutes after the final colored coat and seal with a clear coat. This will give your manicure a shiny appearance as well as protect it for up to a week longer. After nails have dried completely, with nail polish remover and a cotton swab, wipe away uneven edges on polish on or around the nail.

Tips & Warnings

• Between coats placing your nails under a blow dryer set to cool to speed up the drying process.

References

• Sally Hansent Five Minute Manicure
• Manicures

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish