How to Do a Manicure Step-by-Step

You can get a professional-looking manicure at home.

Having a manicure at a nail salon is a great way to be pampered. However, it can get expensive if you go to the salon regularly. If you want to save some money, you can get a professional-looking manicure by doing it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Nail cutter
• Cuticle trimmer
• Bowl with water
• Hand towel
• Cuticle remover
• Orange stick
• Hand lotion
• Base coat polish
• Nail polish
• Clear top coat polish
• Nail dryer spray
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls

Instructions

Prepare the Nails

1. Trim nails with nail cutter to desired length.

2. Use a nail file to smooth the edges of each nail. File the tip to a preferred shape, such as a round or square tip.

3. Place all 10 fingertips in a medium-sized bowl with water to remove the nail residue left over from the filing and to soften the cuticles. Leave your fingertips in the bowl for five minutes. Dry your hands with a towel.

4. Place a drop of cuticle remover lotion on the base of the nail to loosen the cuticle. Massage the nail base with the lotion. Use the round tip of the orange stick and push back the cuticle of each nail until the dead skin loosens up from the base. Use the cuticle trimmer and carefully trim away the loose cuticle.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to remove any leftover cuticle residue. Dry your hands and apply lotion to moisturize and massage your hands.

Polish the Nails

1. Polish each nail with the base coat.The base coat is used as a primer to help the color stay and strengthen the nail.

2. Apply the first coat of polish starting from the center of the nail base and paint straight up to the tip. Paint the sides of the nail to complete the first coat. Repeat for each nail. Follow with a second coat of polish.

3. Clean away leftover polish. Take a small piece of a cotton ball and wrap it around the pointed side of the orange stick. Dip the cotton-wrapped side in nail polish remover and clean away any polish residue under the tip and around the nail.

4. Apply the top coat. Use one coat of polish for each nail. The top coat makes the color last longer and gives the nails a brilliant shine.

5. Dry polished nails. Air dry your nails for about 30 minutes to an hour. To dry the nails faster, use a nail dryer spray. Spray 6 inches away from the nails.

Tips & Warnings

• When you trim away the cuticles, be careful not to cut too close to the base of the nail or else bleeding will occur.

References

• Nail Salons Online