DIY Manicure: A Foolproof Guide To Getting A Manicure Done At Home

A well-groomed nail speaks a lot about you. However, not everyone has the time and money to visit a salon whenever they go out. So, it will be a great benefit if you know how to do manicures at home. Manicure is an elaborate ritual that involves clipping your nails and coating them with nail polish. You need to take care of your nails just the way you pamper your face. Here, you can find a complete guide that will help you give a manicure to yourself.

Trivia

The term ‘manicure’ comes from French and is derived from the terms ‘manu’ for hand and ‘cura’ for care.

Easy Manicure At Home: A Step By Step Guide

Step 1: Gather All The Essential Tools

Before you start, gather all the manicure tools you will need to give yourself the perfect manicure. Here are the things that you will need:

• Nail polish remover
• Nail clipper
• Cotton pads
• Nail buffer
• Cuticle pusher and nipper
• Cuticle remover or cuticle cream
• Hand moisturizer
• A base coat for the nails
• Your favorite nail polish
• A clear top coat

Step 2: Remove Any Traces Of Nail Polish

To start off, remove the nail polish that you are wearing. Use a non-acetone nail polish remover and cotton pads to remove your old nail polish gently.

Non-acetone nail polish removers do not dry out the skin around your nails. Acetoneⁱ  A harmful solvent added to nail polish removers that is capable of causing nose, eye, or throat irritation when inhaled. -based nail polish removers work much faster, but they can damage your nails. If you use a nail polish remover more than once a month, it is better to use a non-acetone nail polish remover.

Step 3: Clip And File Your Nails

Use the nail clippers to trim your nails. Avoid cutting them too short. Then, use the nail file to shape them. If you want to keep it simple, square-shaped nails with rounded edges or simple rounded nails are best.

While filing your nails, be gentle and avoid dragging the file back and forth with excessive force. Avoid filing them too short. Just smoothen the lines and rough edges left behind by the nail clipper. Use a slightly abrasive nail buffer to smoothen the top of your nails. However, do not buff the nails too smooth because, otherwise, the nail polish won’t stick to your nails.

Step 4: Soak Your Nails (And Hands)

Here’s the most relaxing part of the process. Take a big glass bowl (big enough to hold your palms) and fill it with warm water. Add baby shampoo or a gentle cleanser and soak your hands in it for a few minutes (maximum 3 minutes).

Soaking the cuticles helps soften them. It loosens up the dirt and dead skin cells. Use a gentle nail brush to clean the nails and the skin around them to remove any traces of dirt. Don’t forget to scrape under the nails. Avoid over-soaking your nails and hands as it can damage them.

Step 5: Apply Cuticle Cream And Prepare The Cuticles

Wipe your nails and hands, and massage some cuticle cream onto your nails.

Then, use a cuticle pusher to push the cuticles back gently. Do not exert too much pressure because that may push the cuticles too far in and damage your nails. This will also increase your chances of getting an infection.

Once the cuticles are clear, wipe off the excess cream from your nails. If you are not using a cuticle cream, you can also apply a bit of cuticle remover to clear up the cuticles.

Step 6: Apply A Hand Moisturizer

Massage your hands with a hand moisturizer. Use a rich and thick cream for intense moisturization. Focus especially on your fingers and the area around your nails. If you want, you can even soak your hands in warm water for 30 seconds before applying moisturizer.

Step 7: Prep Your Nails For Polish

Nail polish will not stick to your nails if there’s too much moisturizer on them. So, you need to wipe it off. Take a cotton pad or a Q-tip and apply a bit of nail polish remover to it and wipe your nails with it.

Step 8: Apply A Thin Base Coat

Use clear nail polish as a base coat. You can even use white nail polish as a base coat to make the color of your nail polish pop. This prevents your nails from getting stained (especially if you are wearing shades of red or blue). Also, a base coat helps the nail polish last longer.

Step 9: Apply A Top Coat

Once the base coat is dry, apply a thin coat of your favorite nail polish on top of it. Before applying the nail polish, roll the bottle between your hands. Avoid shaking it because that will create air bubbles in it and make it difficult for it to stick to your nails.

Paint vertical stripes, starting from the base of your nail toward the tip. Before applying another layer, let the previous layer dry for 10-20 minutes

Tip: You can also experiment with different types of nail polish, such as acrylic or gel.

Step 10: Finish It Off With A Clear Nail Polish

Once your nail polish is dry, if you want your nails to have a glossy shine, finish it off by applying another layer of clear nail polish on top of it. This shields the nail polish from chipping or flaking. Moreover, if you have done any nail art, the clear top coat will protect that too.

To finish off your manicure, reapply the moisturizer or cuticle oil on your hands and nails. Learning nail care tips and tricks can help you to attain a perfect finish.

Ashley Brooke, a blogger, shares her DIY manicure to get flawless nails at home. She follows a 6-step process starting from trimming and filing nails to applying nail polish. One of the tips shared is, “If I’m not doing my manicure straight out of the bath or shower, soaking your nails in warm soapy water is a MUST! You don’t have to soak them long like, just 3-5 minutes, long enough to soften your cuticles (i)!”

How To Do Gel Manicures At Home

Step 1: Gather All The Essential Tools

• LED or UV Lamp
• A nail file
• Nail buffer
• Cuticle oil
• An orangewood stick (optional)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Base coat
• Top coat
• Gel polish colors

Step 2: Prep Your Nails

Trim your nails and file them to your preferred shape.

Step 3: Apply Cuticle Oil

Apply cuticle oil to soften your nails. Push back your cuticles gently with a file or an orangewood stick. Wash your hands to remove any oil, as it may affect the gel’s adhesion.

Step 4:  Buff Your Nails

Gently buff the nail surface, making it slightly rough. Avoid over-buffing, as it can thin out your nails.

Step 5:  Wipe Your Nails with Rubbing Alcohol

Pour rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and wipe each nail gently to clean them.

Step 6: Apply Base Coat

Apply a thin layer of base coat and cure it for around 30 seconds.

Step 7: Apply Gel Polish

Apply a thin layer of gel polish without touching your cuticles. Cure your nails for around 30 seconds.

Step 8: Apply the Top Coat

Finish it off by sealing your manicure with a light layer of top coat followed by curing.

If you want to jazz up your nails a bit, you can look into some simple nail-art designs as well.

Trivia

During the period between 1920 and 1930, manicures became popular in France. Like today, it was fashionable to paint the nail tips white and leave the rest of the fingernails in a natural tone, which is known as a French Manicure.

Mistakes To Avoid When Doing Manicure At Home

1. Cutting Your Nails

Avoid cutting your nails if they are already short. Just file them. If your nails are very long, just cut them halfway through and then file them down to your desired length. Cutting your nails too short will ruin the look.

2. Avoid Trimming The Cuticles

We all have cuticle skin. You don’t need to cut them off completely. Just push them back. If you think you have too much cuticle skin, try pushing them back every day when you take a shower. This is because your cuticles soften when you take a shower, which makes it easier for you to push them back.

3. Avoid Filing Your Nails In A To And Fro Motion

This will fray your nails and make them peel. File only in one direction. It’s best to start from one corner and work your way to the other end.

4. Clean Your Nails Completely

Before applying nail polish, make sure that your nails are free of any traces of moisturizer, water, or dirt. Use a lint-freeⁱ  A cleansing wipe considered free of lint when it does not leave behind any residue of textile fiber. wipe and non-acetone nail polish remover to clean them thoroughly.

5. Don’t Forget To Paint The Tips

If your polish isn’t sealed properly, it will start to chip in a few days. The best way to avoid this is by sealing the tips with the top coat. When applying the top coat of clear nail polish, turn your fingers so that you can see the edges. Take the tip of the brush and go over the tips of your nails.

To maintain healthy nails, consider the tips shared in the following section.

Nail Care Tips

• Apply a nail oil weekly to hydrate and strengthen them.
• Limit water exposure by wearing gloves when doing chores.
• Avoid picking at your nails to prevent damage and infection.
• Take breaks from nail polish to let them breathe and recover.

Infographic: Simple Steps To Get A DIY Manicure

Taking good care of your hands not only adds to your beauty but also is relaxing; and a wholesome manicure is the best way to go about it. However, going to the salon may not always be possible. So, the solution? A DIY manicure! In the infographic below, we have listed down a few easy steps to get a manicure done at home on your own. Take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pedicure and manicure?

A pedicure involves cleaning and styling the feet, while a manicure is to clean and beautify the hands.

How often should you get a manicure?

If your nails grow quickly, it is best to get a manicure once every two weeks. Otherwise, you may leave 2-3 weeks between each manicure.

What are some tips for achieving a long-lasting manicure?

Some tips for achieving a long-lasting manicure include applying two coats of basecoat to the tips that are more prone to breakage, reapplying clear topcoat between manicure sessions to prevent chipping, and wearing gloves while doing the dishes.

Are there any special techniques for French manicures or nail art?

Yes, there are numerous special techniques for French manicures or nail art. Some of them include using a band-aid or clear tape to achieve the perfect white tip or using nail stickers. You may also apply white nail paint to your silicon stamping tool and press the nail tip against it for a French manicure. These tips make learning how to do a French manicure at home easier and more fun.

Can I use natural or organic products for a manicure?

Yes, you can use natural or organic products for a manicure. Start with replacing your polish remover with an organic acetone-free remover. You may even use a DIY cuticle oil made from natural ingredients like olive oil and essential oils. The same can be used for moisturizing your hands. You may also look for organic nail paint brands to make the manicure completely natural.

Illustration: How To Do A Manicure At Home: 10 Simple Steps

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Get ready to have beautiful nails in no time! Watch this video to learn how to get a perfect manicure with these easy steps!

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Katherine LugoCelebrity Makeup Artist

     

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