There’s no doubt that one of the greatest luxuries in life is getting a manicure, and just this little bit of pampering can have such a positive impact on how good we feel. However, when you add up the costs of regular manicures there’s just no way that the average woman could afford it.
Rather than giving up on this wonderful ritual, many women today are learning the manicure steps needed to give yourself a manicure so that you can save yourself countless hours and money spent at the nail salon. With just a few tools of the trade, you’ll be able to achieve a salon-quality manicure at home whenever you like, and never have to pay for nail care again.
The Tools You’ll Need for A Home Manicure
It might seem that the ladies at your local nail salon have a whole range of tools and accessories, but the truth is there are only a few key items needed to get a professional manicure. Here are the items you’ll need and what they’re used for.
Get a good quality polish remover to remove your old nail polish, but try to find one that’s gentle on your nails. Acetone-free is best if you’re looking for a delicate approach.
This is one of the most important items as it can prevent cracking and breaking nails, so look for a nail file made from glass if possible as these are more durable and will give a smoother finish to the nail.
Clippers are used to cut your nails down to size, so they need to be reliable. Nail clippers made from stainless steel or a similar material are ideal as they are durable.
These are a simple device made from stainless steel used to push your cuticles back. They usually are also able to clean underneath your nails with one end so look for a product that offers both.
A nail nipper looks similar to pliers and it grabs onto loose skin or ingrown nails that are otherwise hard to reach and pulls them out. These are a must-have for getting a completely smooth look around your nail bed.
How to Give Yourself A Manicure
With your kit ready to go, it’s now time to learn how to give a manicure. Try to give yourself some space and enough time to get the job done so that you’re not rushing through it.
- Begin by removing the old polish from your hands by soaking a cotton pad with nail polish remover and working on each nail one by one.
- Trim down your nails to the size that you want, ensuring that you’ve left enough of a nail there to shape into your preferred style.
- Using your nail file, work slowly on each hand to file away the nail and create the desired shape. Move the nail file back and forth in a fast motion and check constantly that they look similar to the other nails. The most popular look is either a straight top or rounded, but you can experiment with different styles if you like.
- Soak your hands in warm, soapy water for five minutes to help loosen up the skin. You can add regular hand soap or shower gel to the water, so long as it helps to moisturize and prepare it for the next stage.
- Dry your hands thoroughly and begin to work on your cuticles. With your cuticle pusher, you should focus on the little bit of skin at the end of your nail bed and try to push it back as far as you can without pain. This will help to create an even surface for your polish and give a uniformed look for all of the nails.
- Use the nail cleaner to get underneath your nails and clear out any dirt or grime that might have built up in there, but be sure not to push too hard.
- If you feel that your hands are a little dry, you might want to give them a quick exfoliating scrub to remove any dead skin you have. Work it into the nails as well as fingers, palms, backs of hands, and lower forearm.
- Moisturize your hands with your chosen cream, ensuring it’s not too oily or greasy. Wipe away excess lotion and cream from your nails.
- Start with a base coat and apply the polish from the bottom of the nail bed and up, with careful and precise strokes. Once dry, apply two coats of your chosen nail polish and allow it to dry sufficiently in between coats and once done.
With these simple steps, you’ll be able to rival any professional manicurist and save yourself hundreds of dollars each year now that you know your own nail care tips and steps.
Taking Care of Your Nails At Home
For many women, taking a trip to the nail salon is a great way to unwind, but there are some hidden nasties that you might not expect. According to the Center for Disease Control, a massive 97 percent of nail salon foot baths had either fungi or dangerous bacteria present, so there’s more reason than ever to invest in your own manicure kit and learn how to do a professional manicure at home.
Something as simple as having freshly manicured nails can provide you with a huge boost to your self-confidence and keep your hands looking and feeling great. With access to professional quality accessories that you can use in your own home, the modern woman never has to pay for this wonderful look again as they can achieve it easily at home for no extra cost.
Resources
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/04/01/6-red-flags-that-your-nail-salon-isnt-hygienic-enough.html