How to DIY a Lasting Manicure at Home

Use a three-swipe technique.

Giving yourself an at-home manicure is a relaxing way to treat yourself and save money at the same time. But at-home manicures don't always last as long as salon treatments. Using basic products including a base coat and top coat, then finishing off with a hair dryer, will make your manicure last as long as a spa treatment, so you can enjoy your manicure and present beautiful hands to the world for days to come!

Things You'll Need

• Emery board
• Cuticle oil (optional)
• Nail polish remover (optional)
• Base coat
• Nail polish
• Top coat
• Hair dryer

Instructions

1. File your nails to the shape you desire, and push back or trim the cuticles if necessary. If your cuticles are dry, you can apply cuticle oil to soften them. You'll need to swipe nail polish remover over the nail before applying polish if you do so.

2. Apply a thin layer of base coat. The base coat should be slightly tacky so that base coat and the nail polish will stick to the nail.

3. Wipe the brush of the nail polish color against the inner rim of the bottle so there are no globs of polish.

4. Stroke on two coats of color using a three-swipe technique: Paint the color in one swipe down the middle of the nail and one swipe each on the sides. You can keep your painting hand steady by resting the side of your hand on a table.

5. Hold the brush vertically, then sweep the side of it across the nail's edge with a thin coat of polish.

6. Apply a top coat to seal the nail polish and add shine to the manicure. Then use a hair dryer on a medium/warm heat setting to blow air onto the nails for two minutes on each hand. Switch the hair dryer to the cool setting and hold your nails under it for three minutes to finish the manicure.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get a chip, wet the pad of another finger with nail polish remover and rub it lightly over the area. Then reapply a thin layer of polish to the nail.

• Don't put the hair dryer too close to the nails, or you risk smudging the polish.

References

• Health.Learning Info: Do-It-Yourself Manicure