We show you a step-by-step guide to getting a salon-style manicure at home, as well as the best nail colours for this season.
Whether you’re short on time or can’t afford to go to the salon (one of the many lifestyle changes brought on by the recent Covid19 epidemic), there’s no better time than now to finally master your own homemade manicure. Aside from the aesthetic benefits, painting your nails can also be an effective form of self-care, as it forces you to stop, slow down and let go, even if only for a short time. However, what is a relaxing and fun hobby for some can also be a distraction for those of us who don’t want to get salon-quality results at home. Getting a quality manicure at home can be a challenge when you consider that smudges, splinters and streaks can inadvertently appear. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it just takes a little practice and the help of an experienced manicure expert, like a professional
A pretty manicure looks and feels great, but the cost of a salon manicure can really add up over the course of a year. If you want to save time and money on your manicure, you need our basic steps to get a DIY manicure at home, and for a fraction of the cost!
The perfect manicure at home:
Step 1: The essential tools. Keep the following tools in a bag that you will always have on hand.
- Nail polish remover and cotton buds or pads.
- Nail clippers
- Sanding board and nail pads.
- Cuticle pusher and nail clippers
- Pickled skin remover
- Hand and nail moisturiser
- Coatings
- Nail polish
- clear top coat
Step 2: Remove the nail polish you applied earlier. Acetone or no acetone, that’s the question here.
When you ask at the pharmacy which type of nail polish remover to buy, keep the following in mind: non-acetone nail polish removers are more gentle than acetone-containing nail polish removers, BUT acetone-containing nail polish remover works much faster and comes in contact with the skin for less time than non-acetone nail polish remover. This is a compromise, as even the mildest non-acetone removers are not compatible with the skin.
Step 3: Shape your nails. Trim your nails if necessary, then file them gently to shape them. A slightly rounded nail shape or a rounded square edge is usually best, but you can be as creative as you like.
Avoid metal or extremely thick files to avoid chipping. Instead, choose a soft sanding board or a glass nail file. Smooth the top and sides of the nails with a lightly abrasive pad to achieve an even surface. But remember that if you buff your nails too gently, the polish won’t adhere as well and can literally slip off.
We prefer Revlon, & Ulta brand nail buffers.
Step 4: Soak off. Ahh … the relaxing part. Place your hands in a bowl of warm (not too hot) water and add some of your facial cleanser or mild shampoo to the water. Soaking your cuticles before cutting them is important, but soaking for too long damages your skin and nails, so limit this step to three minutes or less.
Step 5: Apply a callus and skin remover. When trimming the thickened skin around the nail, a little cuticle remover will go a long way. One of our favourites is the Be Natural cuticle remover. Despite the name, it’s a powerful product, so don’t let it sit on your cuticles for more than a few seconds.
Step 6: Remove excess cuticles and calluses from around the nail. Gently push the cuticles back from the nail using the cuticle pusher in your kit, but not too much, as this can damage the nail growth or undo the cuticles.
Be careful NOT to pull, lift, tear, force or cut the cuticles. DO NOT cut the cuticles, only the free edge with metal cuticle nippers. It is better to avoid this step than to overdo it, as cuticles protect the nail bed from all kinds of problems.
This is also a good time to remove any fallen nails on the sides of the nail, but again, be careful not to cut into the nail itself or too deep into the skin.
Step 7: Moisturise the skin. Massage cuticles and entire hands with a rich body butter, moisturising body balm or silky unscented oil to hydrate and replenish the skin.
Step 8: Prepare the polish. Moisturising ingredients left on the nail prevent polish from adhering properly. Apply nail polish remover to the nail surface with a cotton swab or pad to remove any residue. Although it is wise not to apply nail polish remover to the cuticles, as you want to moisturise this area, don’t worry, as you will re-hydrate your nails as soon as the polish dries. The most important thing in this step is that the nail has absolutely no oily or softening residue.
Step 9: Paint your nails in several layers. If you have weak or brittle nails, use a base coat that fills in the ridges to support the nail. The base coat also protects your nails from staining (especially important if you prefer red polish) and prevents chipping. Next, apply the coloured varnish in several layers, allowing each layer to dry. Two coats of coloured varnish and a gloss top coat should be sufficient.
If you are painting your nails for the first time, use a lighter shade; this will make mistakes less noticeable.
Tip: Take a few minutes every couple of days to freshen up your manicure with a single coat of top coat. This can make a big difference in maintaining the “salon look” and longevity.
Check your nails for flaws and clean them – you’re almost done! Nails need time to dry completely, so be patient. A fan will help, but don’t use heat (like from a hair dryer) or the polish will peel and chip. Also, don’t hold your nails too close to the fan’s airflow or the polish may bubble.
Step 10: Reapply moisturiser. To keep your hands and the area around your nails looking healthy, you need a moisturiser. It is impossible to have beautiful hands and nails without this essential product.
Using the right tools and techniques, you can give yourself a beautiful manicure. Of course, there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional manicurist for special occasions or to pamper yourself, but if you know how to do it yourself, you can save a lot of time and money.