Enjoy Self-Care with At-Home Manicure Tips!

Going to a nail salon is the perfect treat every once in a while, and getting your nails done by a professional will make them look shiny and healthy. However, these days, with social distancing at every turn, it is not always possible to go to a nail salon near you. Luckily, that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy an at-home manicure that will leave your nails looking great. So, if you can't go to a salon or you want to save a few bucks, here are a few tips for the perfect at-home manicure that will give you the best results time and time again.

1. Clean your nails thoroughly

To get your nail polish or nail care products to stick to your nails and last as long as possible, you need to clean your nails. You can do so by soaking a cotton pad with nail polish remover or medical alcohol (70% strength). Go through each nail and swab it thoroughly to remove dirt, oils, and grime that may interfere with other products that you will put on your nails.

After you clean your nails, you need to gently file and buff them; this will also ensure the removal of grime from your nails. Use a buffer that suits your nails to make sure you get just the right buffing. If you have gentle nails that tend to crack, use a gentle buffer, and if your nails are strong, you can use a coarser buffer. After you buff the top layer of your nails, file the edges with a file. Once again, you need to use a filer that is right for your nails - not too harsh and not too soft. When filing your nails, make sure that you only do it one way – right to left or left to right. Filing your nails back and forth will weaken them and cause ridges to form, further affecting your nails' strength.

If you like a nice, clean-looking nail, you can use a cuticle remover that will remove dead skin from around your nails. If you do not want to use a solvent, you can cut your cuticles with a specialty cuticle remover. Then, gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick to get the slick and even nail look.

A manicure should also involve other parts of your hands, besides the nails, so if you have some extra time, pamper your hands. If you like a classic manicure, soak your hands in luke-warm water with hand soap. Them, gently tap your hands with a hand towel to dry them and use a scrub to remove dead skin cells. If you take this step, do it before the others to soften your nails and make them more mailable for the rest of the manicure.

Once your hands are dry and your nails are buffed and filed to your liking, you can start applying your nail polish. First, use a quality basecoat in two layers, waiting two minutes between each coat. The base coat will prevent your nails from chipping and will protect your nails from the nail color that might stain them.

Now comes the fun part: applying colored nail polish. If you like a gentle look, one layer of nail polish will suffice. If you like a bold look, apply two coats, waiting several minutes between the layers. Make sure you reach all parts of the nail, and if your hands are not too steady, you can use a special glue that you can apply around your nails and remove once you are done applying the nail polish.

This is not a must, but it will help preserve results for several days and prevent nail polish chipping. A quality topcoat will protect your nails and nail polish, so if you want results that last, apply a top coat once you are done with the colored coats.

And a few other things…

To ensure your at-home manicure is a success, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Avoid 'heavy-duty' manicure treatments

If you like long nails and want to glue artificial nails by yourself or use a special gel, avoid it as much as possible. A professional nail technician has the right tools and materials for the job, and you should keep such tasks for the professionals. Applying fake nails in the wrong way can lead to the development of fungus and even mold under your nails, so do not try it at home.

Use quality, nourishing products

Your nails need TLC with nourishing materials, such as Vitamin E, Vitamin A, natural oils, and more. To help your nails grow strong, use natural, nourishing products that will revive your nails and the skin around them.

Indulge in high-quality nail-polish

Cheap nail polishes contain quite a few chemicals that enter the nails and go straight to your bloodstream. Granted, these materials are found in a small amount, but they can make your nails fragile, yellow, and weak. To prevent this, use high-quality nail polish and coats that contain fewer chemicals. They may cost a few extra dollars, but they will save you much more money on expensive nail restoration treatments.

Pampering yourself with an at-home manicure every once in a while is a great way to self-care and enjoy some of 'you time'. To get the best results, use the self-manicure tips we brought you, and you are guaranteed to have shiny and healthy nails.