Home Manicures - How to Get a Professional Look
It's Easier Than it Looks, and Costs a Lot Less, Too!
So you've decided to forego those expensive salon manicures and try it on your own. You can do it! An initial outlay of cash may be required to get set up, but it's more or less a one-time deal, and your tools and implements will definitely pay for themselves in the long run.
What you'll need - tools
•Polish Remover or Remover Wipes
•Nail File
•Cotton Pads (not cotton balls)
•Bowl of Warm Water
•Extra Fine Emery Board
•Good Lighting
•Cuticle Oil
•Orangewood Stick (ask at the drugstore)
•Hair Dryer
•Base Coat Polish
•Color Polish
•Top Coat
Square, round, or Pointed?
Besides healthy, glowing and lovely, what shape do you want your nails to be in? In the first place, let the edges of your nails grow up a bit before starting the curve. This will help avoid breakage. Examine your fingers: are they long and thin or short and stubby like they've had a run-in with a chain saw? These hands look best with a "squared-off oval" shape. Small hands and fingers look best with the plain oval, while larger, square hands call for square ends.
Remove Old Polish
To remove old polish, select a remover with no acetone, as this stuff is drying for the nails. Be gentle but get it all off, then apply moisturizer. If you're not going to apply colored polish, apply a couple of coats of nail protector.
Soak
Wash your hands in warm, soapy water. Rinse and pat completely dry. The main reason polish does not stick well is dampness and body oils on nails.
About Your Cuticles
Cuticles can be a problem. If you work with your hands during the day you are bound to have occasional ragged cuticles. Using a cotton ball, apply a little cuticle oil to the cuticles, and use a cuticle stick to gently push them back. Cut any hangnails gently with cuticle scissors. Cut only the part that protrudes, don't cut into the cuticle itself. Remove all excess oil.
Apply Color
Apply base coat. Dry thoroughly, then apply color, painting one stroke down the center of the nail, one short stroke across the bottom, then two up the sides. Polish that has been thinned with nail polish thinner (again, beware acetone!). Practice will tell you how much to thin your polish. If it has a tendency to thicken, store it in the refrigerator.
Use a quick-dry spray if you want, but take care with your fingers for a couple of hours afterward. If you have a lot of overlap onto your skin, a Q-Tip soaked in polish remover will take care of it, or you may want to invest in a polish remover pen.
Top Coat
Once your nails have dried, apply your topcoat. This is a clear, glassy polish that shines on your fingers. Make sure your color is completely dry before applying it. Put on a thin coat with as few strokes as possible. Don't worry about visible brush strokes, the polish will settle on its own. Your color will last longer if you reapply the topcoat every 3-4 days.
Now you are finished and it is appropriate to admire (even show off) your beautiful nails!
http://www.mrfreefree.com/family/home_manicures.html
http://az.essortment.com/homemanicure_rbko.htm
http://magazines.ivillage.com/marieclaire/beauty/expert/qas/0,,434729_437571,00.html
http://www.krislon.net/Woman/Skin/Beauty/nail/manicure.htm
Published by Susan Rand
I am a widow with three grown children. I spend my time writing, teaching, editing, mentoring and responding to questions at allexperts.com (1950 so far). At the moment I am writing web content and mentoring. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a Commentiagreewithtanyaalso...
Tanya's answer makes more sense to me. Thanks, Tanya
Everyone has their own way of doing things, Tanya. This is one way, yours is another. Thanks for the extra information and thanks for reading.
Polish with one stroke down the middle and one across the bottom then two up the sides???????? What kind of polish application is that???? You stroke one swipe down the center (starting a bit away from the cuticle apply your brush to your nail, push back a little and then make one long stroke down the center) then starting on the left side swipe one long stroke from (1/16" away from) cuticle to the tip of the nail (free edge), repeat on the right side. That's how it's taught in nail school and most other places that I'm aware of. Also, after you apply your cuticle oil or lotion and push back the cuticles, you have to take some acetone nail polish remover and wipe it across the nail surface to get rid of the oil on the nail plate, otherwise your polish won't stick and it'll peel off.