Without being able to visit the salon, many of us could use a some tips to help us do our nails from home!
Step 1: Prep Your Nails
First things first, shape your nails so they’re at a uniform length and shape. That may mean clipping and filing. When filing, work in one direction and avoid sawing at the nail as that weakens the nail and lead to splitting/breaking.
Step 2: Soak and Moisturize
Part of the manicure (the best part for some of us) is the pampering! You may be tempted to skip this part, but don’t! It has more benefits than just a good feeling. Soaking and moisturizing will soften up your cuticles and make the next step easier.
Step 3: Cuticle Control
Apply a cuticle removing product, make sure to read the instructions. Then gently push the cuticle back. Avoid trimming your cuticles with a scissors as it can be too easy to cut yourself.
Step 4: Paint
Is this the fun part or the part that causes the most anxiety?
Start with clean, dry nails. You’ll have a hard time with the polish if you don’t get off all the residue from the oils.
Use a base coat to help your polish go on smoother! There is a trick to applying nail polish and this is it: Place the brush down on the center of the nail, and then push downward toward the cuticle. That’s how you’ll get that perfect half-moon look. It’s also the way to avoid doing what’s called “flooding the cuticle,” which is when the polish floods outward from the nail, pooling in the cuticle area and creating a sloppy look.
And don’t forget to add that top coat at the end to help protect from chipping.