Love showing off your beautiful hands but don’t have time to visit the salon for the perfect manicure? Today, you can get your nails looking amazing with a few simple steps. Your DIY manicure at home can leave your hands looking neat and put together with a fresh, fabulous finish. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to get those perfect nails you’ve been dreaming of!
1. Get Ready for a DIY Manicure
Set aside an hour or so to treat yourself to a DIY during-quarantine manicure. It’s easier than you think and will make you feel like you’re back in the salon chair in no time.
Tools Needed
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Hand soap
- Nail polish remover and cotton balls
- Cuticle pusher and cuticle oil
- Base coat, nail polish and top coat
- Cuticle trimmer, if desired
Now that you’ve gathered your tools, you’re ready to get started!
Step One: Prep Your Nails
Start by clipping and filing your nails to the desired shape and length. Next, use your nail file to buff them to remove excess oils. Keep in mind that nails should be filed in one direction.
Then, begin by washing your hands in warm water with soap to remove dirt and oils, being sure to clean under your nails. Grab a cotton ball and some nail polish remover and use it to remove any residual nail polish from your current manicure.
Step Two: Cuticle Care
Gently push back your cuticles with your cuticle pusher. Apply a few drops of cuticle oil to each nail to help keep your cuticles hydrated. Lastly, use a cuticle trimmer to trim any excess cuticle (optional, depending on preference).
You’re all prepped and ready for your DIY manicure!
2. Pampering Your Nails: Step-by-Step Guide
Nail care isn’t just a small part of your beauty routine. Taking the time to nurture your nails and give them the proper care they need can have huge rewards. Here’s a step-by-step guide for pampering your nails.
Remove all existing polish: Start by removing any existing nail polish with a cotton pad and your favorite nail polish remover. Wipe your nails until all the polish is removed completely.
Trim your nails: Use a nail clipper to cut your nails to the desired length. Keep them a bit shorter in the corners so they look even, but don’t cut them too short. Go slow and make sure you’re not trimming off too much of your nail.
Use a file: Use an emery board or a nail file to shape your nails. Don’t file too hard against your nail. Instead, lightly shape your nails with small strokes.
Soak and scrub: Soak your nails in warm water and use an extra-fine scrub brush to help remove dirt and dead skin cells from your nails. This also helps soften them in preparation for polishing.
Push back cuticles: Use a cuticle pusher or other rounded tool to carefully push back your cuticles. This also helps get rid of excess skin that can trap dirt and bacteria.
Moisturize:Once your nails have been prepped and your cuticles are pushed back, it’s time to moisturize. Choose an oil or cream that’s specifically designed for nails and massage it into all of your nails and around the cuticles.
3. Craft a Creative Design: Possibilities Are Endless
Designing creative projects can be both rewarding and overwhelming—sometimes all at once. To start, make sure to get the basics down: what’s the goal, the message, the style, the medium? After that, begin to brainstorm ideas. Create lists, draw out sketches, and let your mind wonder.
Once you have some concepts to work with, it’s time to explore the possibilities. Let your imagination run free! Take a look at any of the following activities to push your design boundaries:
- Combine colors, patterns, and textures for an eye-catching presentation
- Play around with varying font sizes and weights
- Implement diagrams or charts to visualize data
- Experiment with unique graphic elements
- Include photographs or illustrations
- Weave animation into the design
Create contrast: Add interest to your design by contrasting large and small elements, light and dark tones, modern and traditional styles.
Introduce movement: Animations can bring life to a digital project. Add motion in the form of highlight effects, transitions, or interactive components.
Try a new format: Video, audio, mixing print with online—it’s possible to give any design a unique twist. Brainstorm a few ideas and bring them to life!
There are endless possibilities to crafting a creative design. No matter the project, strive for something that stands out, captures attention, and speaks for itself.
4. Make It Last: Tips for Lasting Nail Care
- Clear and Hydrate – Make sure your nails have a shiny, healthy glow by brushing over them with either a buffing block or a nail file. This helps to remove any dirt and dead cells and create an even surface. When finished, hydrate your nails and skin with a moisturizing cream or oil for extra shine and suppleness.
- Keep It Neat – Make sure your nails are filed regularly to keep them tidy and in shape. This will allow the polish to last longer without chipping or fading. There are several nail shapes to choose from including round, square, almond, oval, and stiletto. Pick one that suits your style and your lifestyle.
- Polish Up – Applying a true base coat and two coats of polish will help keep your nails looking their best. Make sure to avoid cutting corners by using only a one-coat product to speed up the process. Doing this will weaken your nails and cause chipping or fading.
- Sealing the Deal – To really make your color pop and your manicure look more professional, make sure to add a top coat. This will give your nails a glossy finish and help keep them protected from the chip and break. Give it a few minutes to completely dry to get the best results.
- Prevent Stress – Avoid harsh activities such as typing and using the phone for extended periods of time. Doing this places extra stress on your nails which causes them to chip and break. Instead, take regular breaks and pamper your nails with treatments such as oils or creams to restore their natural luster.
- Keep Up the Routine – Having a consistent nail care routine and taking the time to polish your nails regularly is the key to making them last. Allowing your nails to breath and taking breaks from frequent polish will help to keep them healthy and strong.
By taking the time to follow these steps, you can keep your nails looking beautiful and healthy without much effort. Whether you opt for a professional-grade manicure or you prefer to stick to simple techniques at home, these tips will make sure your nails look just as perfect the day after application as the day you polished them.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that nail care is holistic and doesn’t just involve the application of products. Show your nails some love and passion by eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and using natural nail treatments as part of your daily routine. With the right care, you can achieve healthy, beautiful nails that last.
With the help of this guide, you can now achieve beautiful and long-lasting nails at home. With a few simple steps, a lot of time and effort can be saved so you no longer have to visit the salon for basic manicures. Achieve salon-worthy nails, save money, and let your creative juices shine with your next DIY manicure at home!
