Recently, we have discussed the best ways to keep your hands moisturized, and the importance of base coats and top coats to a long lasting manicure. You can certainly pay money and have your nails done at the salon, but you can also pamper yourself at home with a mani you do on your own! Here’s how...
1. Start with clean, dry nails. I like to wash mine with soap and water. Dry well.
2. Use an orange stick or cuticle pusher to push your cuticles back.
3. Swipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to make sure any extra oils are gone. This will help the polish adhere to your nail bed.
4. Apply a thin coat of your preferred base coat. Let it dry.
5. Apply two to three coats of your nail polish per the chart. Give a few minutes between coats so that the polish can dry a bit.
6. Apply a coat of your favorite top coat. I prefer a quick dry top coat so that I can wait minutes rather than hours for my polish to dry.
7. After your manicure is dry, use a cotton swab or small make up brush dipped in polish remover to clean up any spots of polish that may have gotten onto your skin.
8. Apply a swipe of cuticle oil to the base of each nail. Let it soak in a few minutes, then rub into the skin at the base of the nail and under the free edge.
With time, this process will become faster and you’ll get better at painting your own nails. I have practiced enough that I can do a full manicure in about 15-20 minutes and I don’t really need to do clean up. That saves time as well!
Go out into the world with your fresh manicure. Enjoy the confidence that comes with great looking hands!