How to Do a Home Manicure/Pedicure

Perfect salon manicures/pedicures look great but can cost anywhere from $15-$25. For people on a tight budget this can be intimidating. Not everyone can afford to get a manicure/pedicure at a salon, but clean healthy looking nails are a great asset to your appearance. However, nice, manicured/pedicured nails don't have to cost a fortune if you follow these tips:

1. Find a good manicure/pedicure kit at your local drugstore.
Many stores carry such kits for about the cost of a manicure/pedicure. Yet they come with everything you need. The most essential things needed are a three-way nail file, a good cuticle trimmer, a cuticle stick, and nail clippers. If you are going to do a pedicure be sure to find a pumice stone to scrub your heels and the bottoms of your feet.

2. Buy a base coat and a top coat polish
These two polishes combined will keep your nail polish from chipping therefore ensuring the color will last longer

3. Hang out the "Do Not Disturb" sign.
Set aside a time you won't be disturbed and get ready to relax. Put on some
music, a DVD, or just light a few candles. Not only will you have nice looking nails in the end but you've just spent some time pampering
yourself.

To begin your manicure first you must set out all the things you will need. Get your kit ready, get some warm towels, a small tub of warm soapy water, and some hand lotion. First soak one hand in the warm water for a few minutes. Take it out and pat it dry. Take the cuticle stick and gently push back the cuticle. Take the cuticle trimmer and trim away all the rough skin around the nail. Be careful not to trim too much and cut yourself. Do the same thing with the other hand. Once that is done apply some lotion to your hands.

Take the nail clippers and cut your nails so they all appear to be the same length. Next take the three-way nail file and proceed to file, smooth, and buff your nails. The three-way nail files are used by professionals in the salons. They can be either flat or shaped in a block. Use the file to shape your nails and file away any split ends. With the white side file across the tops of your nail to smooth out any ridges and clean up any yellowing spots. With the leathery gray side again use it across the tops of your nails to get that glossy, shiny, polished look. At this point you can either stop or use the base coat, nail polish, and top coat to give your nails that great salon look.

When doing a pedicure follow the same steps as above for the manicure. The only difference is to fill a larger tub with warm soapy water that you can put both feet in. As with your hands take out one foot at a time and trim away the cuticles. Use the three-way file as before. The only thing done differently to your feet is to use a pumice stone to scrub your heels and the bottoms of your feet. Do this while they are still soft from the water. All those cracked, dry ridges will be smoothed away. Apply nail polish, wait for it to dry, and then liberally apply lotion to your feet pressing into the pads giving yourself a mini-foot massage. Taking care of your feet will make you feel relaxed; to ensure your feet stay smooth and supple, slip them into some comfortable socks to lock in the moisture.

Follow this routine once a week or every two weeks to maintain that professional look. Having nice looking nails doesn't need to cost a fortune. Purchasing a few simple items and following the above techniques can make your nails appear like you had them done in a salon and for only a fraction of the cost.