D.I.Y Manicure: Six Simple Steps to Making Nails Look Great!

Love getting a manicure only to have it chip hours after its done? By knowing how to give yourself a manicure, and with the right tools and products, your nails can look just as great as the one's you pay weekly for. Believe it or not, nails are important in one's appearance and are often the focal point when dealing with customers! With six simple steps, learn how to maintain great looking nails without the salon cost.

When starting a home manicure, remove any old polish from the nail bed. After the polish is removed, clip the nails straight across, slightly above the skin. Don't cut the nails into points or try and shape them with cutters, it will only make them more prone to breakage.

Next, file nails straight across, rounding slightly on the corners. The correct term for this shape used in all the salons is called 'squoval', square on the top, corners rounded like ovals. File from the outside to the center of the nail to prevent tearing and grinding away at the nail.

After filing, apply cuticle remover on the cuticles, and then soak fingers in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Avoid letting them soak long because if the nail is too saturated, it can make the nail soft, making it harder to apply polish. If nails are yellow or stained from constant use of polish, add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice to the water.

When the nails are done soaking, use an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton to gently push back cuticles from the nails. With cuticle nippers, trim hangnails and avoid cutting the cuticle to prevent infection. Massage hands with a hand or body scrub, and then rinse and apply hand cream. Add cuticle oil to the cuticles and massage to allow the oil to soak in. After moisturizing, clean the nails of oil by using a cotton ball with polish remover to prepare nails for paint.

The fifth step to a home manicure is painting the nails. Allow a few minutes to pass since removing oil from the nails so the remover has time to evaporate. Apply a base coat to all nails, starting with the pinkie finger to prevent smudges while painting. After letting the base coat dry, apply the first coat of color polish. For an even amount of polish on each nail, use three strokes of the brush, the first one down the center and then one on each side from the bottom of the nail up to the top.

After the first coat is dry, the final step to the manicure is applying a second coat. By painting to the tip of the nail and slightly over, it can prolong the life of the manicure and prevent chipping. Use a small brush with remover to clean up any spots where the polish got onto the skin. Apply a clear topcoat and allow nails to dry.

A home manicure is a simple way to maintain nails and maintain a professional appearance without spending a lot of money. To save even more money, buy your favorite color at the salon, and you get good quality polish. The application is up to you. While it's nice to sit in a chair and get the full treatment, sometimes there just isn't enough time.