How to Manicure at Home

Giving
yourself a home manicure is a great way of saving money. Manicures are
treatments that really require regular, even weekly, updating which adds
up to a lot of cost. But most women see it as an essential part of
their grooming and look so are not willing to sacrifice their perfectly
coiffed nails in order to save the pennies. But there is a compromise in
the form of home manicures. By doing it yourself, you get the nails you
want while also saving money – the perfect solution!

The Initial Problems with a Home Manicure

Nail
treatments and colours demand a steady hand, the right equipment and
more than anything, practise. Home manicures are not something you will
be immediately good at upon your first try. It’s hard enough to master
the art on someone else let alone doing it to your own hands. There is
also the issue of one hand being more dextrous than the other so
practise and persistence is certainly required but will pay off in the
end.

The Basic Components of a Home Manicure

To begin, you
will need a nail buffer, emery board, cuticle sticks, cuticle lotion,
nail varnish remover, cotton wool pads, nail varnish colours – whichever
you please, and a bowl of warm water. A clean and even workspace that
you are comfortable in, and from which you can easily access all the
products that you need, is also essential. Remove any old nail varnish
residue with the cotton pad and nail varnish remover. Using an emery
board, sand down each nail in a smooth curve and use the buffer to
smooth the nail surfaces. Immerse your hands in the bowl of warm water
to soften the cuticles and then push them down or remove them
completely. This encourages nail growth and also makes for a neater
surface.

The Finishing Touches

Once the grooming process is
over, then you can decide if you want to colour your nails. There are
so many great options to choose from depending on your taste – a French
polish, white tips, completely neutral, bright and neon or even the new
stick-on extras that are on trend at the moment. Applying the colour can
be tricky, particularly if it is a strong colour but again, this comes
with practise. Steady your hand as much as possible and ensure that your
hand is over a towel or cloth so that any fallen drops are neatly
collected. If more than one coat is needed, ensure that the first coast
is completely dry first, as applying a new layer on a damp one can
result in clumping and uneven coverage.