Who doesn’t love a manicure? You get to spend a half hour to an hour being pampered, preened, and rewarded with beautiful fingertips. Unfortunately, due to social distancing, frequent visits to the nail salon are not an option. However, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to do a DIY manicure!
You can make manicures at home a fun and relaxing activity if you involve your children or anyone else you live with. You may not be able to give yourself a gel manicure or even a professional Shellac (you should leave that to the professionals). Still, you can recreate the full nail salon experience by following a few easy steps.
You can learn how to do a manicure at home by following our simple steps.
Step 1: Remove the old polish
You can remove the polish from your nails with just a polish remover. If you have been wearing a shellac or gel manicure for a few weeks, it will take a bit more work, but it is still very simple. Use a fine-grit file to file off the top layer of gel gently. Pour pure acetone into a bowl and soak the nails for 3 to 5 minutes. Use a birchwood or similar stick to remove any remaining gel. You can also soak some gauze with acetone and apply it to your fingertips, then wrap the foil around them for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Determine your nail shape.
There is no such thing as a wrong nail shape. However, you can follow a few rules to help you determine which shape of the nail would work best for you.
You should choose an oval-shaped nail if you want to maintain longer nails. This will make your nails less likely to catch. The oval shape is also the most flattering, as it gives the appearance of longer and slimmer fingers. Square nails are best for neat, short nails. However, they can also make your hands look stumpy. You can also choose rounded nails for short nails, even if you are a nail-biter! The rounded shape is the best option for short nails (even nail biters!). This is a simple, round shape that extends only slightly beyond your nail bed. It maintains your natural nail shape.
Step 3: Trim, file, and buff your nails
It’s time to file once you’ve chosen your perfect shape! If you have long nails and want to try shorter nails, use nail clippers.
File in one direction from the outer edge of your nail to the center. This will prevent it from splitting or peeling. File from the outer edge of the nail in one direction rather than going back and forth. Use a quality file.
Finally, use a nail buffer to buff the sides and top of your nails. This step is important as it will create a smoother nail surface to apply polish and prevent natural oils from building up on your nails.
Step 4: Exfoliate the hands
Scrub hands, wrists, and forearms to remove dead skin while replenishing moisture. I love Pevonia Silky Skin Scrub. The creamy formula polishes dead skin cells, impurities, and jojoba beads with rosemary, sage, and allantoin. Unveiling silky, smooth, and radiant skin. Heavenly.
Step 5: Now it’s time to pamper your hands!
Hand massages are a must! Just because you aren’t at the spa or your favorite nail salon doesn’t mean that you can’t get pampered for just a few minutes! My four-year-old daughter loves to play beauty therapist and enjoys this little luxury. A hand massage has been proven to not only improve hand strength but also ease aches and pains and reduce anxiety.
Choose wisely. I recommend Oleocreme Ultra Nourishing Hand Creme. This luxurious hand treatment is enriched with skin-loving ingredients. It soothes, softens, and deeply nourishes the hands. It absorbs quickly, unlike other hand creams. This instantly conditions hands and nails.
Start your massage by gently stroking your hand or the hand of your partner to relax and warm it. Take your cream and rub it gently between your palms to warm it a little. Then, start rubbing the cream into your arm in long, smooth movements from wrist to elbow. This is to warm up your muscles. Use your thumb to gently rub the backs of your hand and wrist, applying moderate pressure when your thumb approaches the wrist. Next, massage your fingers individually. Then, give each finger a gentle twist alternating in direction. Finish with a quick but firm full. Repeat for each finger and then your thumbs.
Turn your hand around when you are done focusing on every finger. Apply pressure with your thumbs on your palm. Interlock your fingers, and then slowly rotate your hands. Stretch it in alternate directions. Cup your hand around your elbow and move it down your arm, from your fingertips to your elbow.
After your manicure is done, use a nail polish remover on each nail to get rid of any residue.
Step 6: Apply your polish
It’s time to have some fun! Now it’s time to shine!
It is essential to choose a nail polish that will not only last a long time but is also healthy for your nails. Choose “5-free”, which means that it is free of DBP, Toluene Formaldehyde Formaldehyde resin, and Camphor. ELES Cosmetics’ nail polishes have a professional formula that is 5-free and has a lasting shine and color. You don’t need to use a basecoat, but you can if you want.
Select your favorite color – I love the ELES Nail Polish in Alice in Wonderland, while my daughter loves Some Like it Hot. When applying the polish, be careful not to overfill the brush (you only need enough to cover your nail in one coat). Brush as little as possible from the cuticle to the nail tip, preferably only three times – once down each side and once in the middle. It is best to use two coats for a seamless finish. However, the longer you wait between coats, the better.
